Sony's upgraded PlayStation 4 is codenamed 'NEO', leaks reveal

The new console will be much more powerful than its predecessor

A PlayStation representative holds a PS4 controller (JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)

Sony's rumoured 'PlayStation 4.5' has reportedly been given the internal codename NEO, and will be much more powerful than its predecessor, new leaks claim.

According to gaming site GiantBomb, who cited "multiple sources" close to the project, the NEO will feature some seriously beefed-up internal components.

Compared to the original PS4, it'll have a faster CPU and GPU, as well as drastically increased RAM.

It's not an entirely new console, but it will offer an upgrade to gamers and developers looking for a slightly more capable machine.

Strangely, the documents seen by GiantBomb don't make any mention of the PlayStation VR, the virtual reality headset which Sony is set to release at the end of the year.

Virtual reality headsets are usually very processor-intensive, so many think the new console will be designed with the PSVR in mind. GiantBomb didn't find any evidence of that, but it doesn't mean Sony isn't making plans.

However, the NEO will be able to run games in 4K, according to the leaks, with regular games getting a frame rate boost and greater visual fidelity.

According to the documents, all PlayStation games made after October will ship with a 'regular mode', for PS4, and a NEO mode, offering greater performance. That suggests the console will be released around the same time, although there's no solid evidence yet.

Obviously, both the NEO and PS4 will be fully compatible, from how they use the PSN Store to which games they can play. All in all, it looks set to be a nice mid-generation upgrade, which should allow for some more interesting PlayStation games in future.