The Playstation 4 has eight CPU cores, but there is unconfirmed information that games are only able to access six cores since the rest is reserved for the use of the platform's operating system. A recent SDK update to the console, however, has unlocked the 7th core, allowing a more powerful gaming performance.
The update, which was characteristically unpublicized, was reported in a forum called Neogaf. This information was supported by a changelog of the recent FMOD update, found in this link. It showed an entry next to LowLevel API that indicates an additional "FMOD_THREAD_CORE6 to allow access to the newly unlocked 7th core."
The extent of the performance boost is not yet known as gamers are still to report firsthand impressions. However, one can turn to the significant performance changes after Microsoft released a similar SDK update earlier this year, which also unlocked the console's 7th CPU core. Along with slight overclocking, gamers reported an improved performance, Neogaf reported.
Fans, however, should not be quick to rejoice about PS4's unlocked 7th CPU core. The reason for this is that the extra core will be divided between the game and the operating system. This means, therefore, that it is not going to be as clean cut as a whole core being devoted for developer use, Games Radar noted. In addition, the slight upgrade will only affect new games, unless game publishers can be bothered to develop a patch that will retroactively address compatibility.
