THE BUZZ: Another next-gen rumor has appeared, stating that Microsoft’s next console will house a super-powered 16-core CPU.

The latest issue of Xbox World magazine reports that Durango devkits were sent to developers shortly after a secret meeting was held in London.

The kits don’t represent the final console’s looks, but they will house the same components as the retail version. Xbox World’s sources suggest that the Durango kit is powered by 16-core IBM Power PC CPU with a graphics processer similar to AMD’s Radeon HD 7000-series, as previously rumored.

EGM’s TAKE: A 16-core CPU seems a little far fetched for a home console considering that it’s still deemed future tech for most PCs. AMD released the first 16-core CPU last year for business use, and if Microsoft were to get that in their console then the possibilities would be endless. Microsoft has stated that it is looking to future-proof its console against future PC upgrades, and adding this piece of kit would certainly ensure that. This AMD 7000-series graphics card keeps cropping up in many rumors regarding next-gen consoles, but given its high-end nature that’s not really surprising. Whether you choose to believe these rumors is entirely up to you, but we urge you to be wary until any official announcements.

Do you think Microsoft could squeeze a 16-core CPU into their machine? Is it too far-fetched? Let us know in the comments below.