AnandTech gave a ps4 vs. x1 hardware comparison

[NickBlanco]

Yesterday Microsoft finally took the covers off the new Xbox, what it hopes will last for many years to come. At a high level here’s what we’re dealing with:

- 8-core AMD Jaguar CPU
- 12 CU/768 SP AMD GCN GPU
- 8GB DDR3 system memory
- 500GB HDD
- Blu-ray drive
- 2.4/5.0GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n, multiple radios with WiFi Direct support
- 4K HDMI in/out (for cable TV passthrough)
- USB 3.0
- Available later this year

While Microsoft was light on technical details, I believe we have enough to put together some decent analysis. Let’s get to it.

Sony gave the PS4 50% more raw shader performance, plain and simple (768 SPs @ 800MHz vs. 1152 SPs & 800MHz). We’ll have to wait and see how this hardware delta gets exposed in games over time, but the gap is definitely there. The funny thing about game consoles is that it’s usually the lowest common denominator that determines the bulk of the experience across all platforms.

On the plus side, the Xbox One should enjoy better power/thermal characteristics compared to the PlayStation 4. Even compared to the Xbox 360 we should see improvement in many use cases thanks to modern power management techniques.

Differences in the memory subsytems also gives us some insight into each approach to the next-gen consoles. Microsoft opted for embedded SRAM + DDR3, while Sony went for a very fast GDDR5 memory interface. Sony’s approach (especially when combined with a beefier GPU) is exactly what you’d build if you wanted to give game developers the fastest hardware. Microsoft’s approach on the other hand looks a little more broad. The Xbox One still gives game developers a significant performance boost over the previous generation, but also attempts to widen the audience for the console. It’s a risky strategy for sure, especially given the similarities in the underlying architectures between the Xbox One and PS4.

so what yall think?

 

[2gunsup]

I think games (multi-plat) will be developed with the weaker system in mind first hence holding back the stronger ones capabilities,

 

[MeachTheMonster]

The specs will mater even less this gen. With cloud computing the power of the consoles will only be limited by Internet connections.

 

[The Fukin Prophecy]

Basically image quality and overall performance wise SONY exclusives will be superior to all other console games this gen...Muliti-plat though will unfortunately be reduced to what the xbox can handle which is basically low settings on a gaming PC but that also means the PS4 will be getting the smoother framerates because it won't be pushed to its limits...

In other words, buy a PS4 if you can't afford a gaming PC...

 

[Mr. Somebody]

Once again xbox holding back the potential of another generation of games and Xbots welcome it.

 

[BlvdBrawler]

I think games (multi-plat) will be developed with the weaker system in mind first hence holding back the stronger ones capabilities,

Yup. But the PS4 exclusives will, as with last gen, be superior.

 

[Mr. Negative]

i don't give a shyt. how will the games play?

 

[Mr. Somebody]

Multiplats will look better on ps4 also.

 

[Smooth3d]

Lets see. I do think both systems are way more powerful than their predecessors. Yes the PS4 is a stronger system overall and Sony has learned from its previous mistakes about building a overly complex system to developed on. But here is the thing, as anand said "you are held back by your weakest part" In this case its the cpu's that both of these consoles share. The AMD "jaguar" core cpu are low power cpu's that are developed to replace amd's e-series cpu's they have out now. Even with 8 cores they are not very powerful compared to AMD FX or Intel I series of chips. Don't get me wrong they are efficient good cpu's just not power houses.

Now how does this play into the PS4 and X1? Unless they have some other trick up their sleeves, the cpu normally sends the triangle (polygons) to the gpu. The gpu is only going to be as good as the cpu sending its geometry data to it. Its all about balance. When building a pc its better to have too much cpu vs to little cpu and overly powerful gpu. Because the gpu will just be waiting on the cpu to catch up.

I predict this gen will be like last gen. Both system will produce some unbelievable pretty games in their lifetime. Sony exclusives may have a little more detail but nothing to drastic due to the similar cpu's on both systems.

 

[daze23]

so what yall think?

I think you should always post a link

 

[MostReal]

Once again xbox holding back the potential of another generation of games and Xbots welcome it.

I'm really getting tired of this.

 

[Smooth3d]

I'm really getting tired of this.

Tell me when did the 360 hold back the PS3? The PS3 held it's self back by being hard as hell to code for. Which hopefully PS4 fixes.

 

[2gunsup]

Lets see. I do think both systems are way more powerful than their predecessors. Yes the PS4 is a stronger system overall and Sony has learned from its previous mistakes about building a overly complex system to developed on. But here is the thing, as anand said "you are held back by your weakest part" In this case its the cpu's that both of these consoles share. The AMD "jaguar" core cpu are low power cpu's that are developed to replace amd's e-series cpu's they have out now. Even with 8 cores they are not very powerful compared to AMD FX or Intel I series of chips. Don't get me wrong they are efficient good cpu's just not power houses.

Now how does this play into the PS4 and X1? Unless they have some other trick up their sleeves, the cpu normally sends the triangle (polygons) to the gpu. The gpu is only going to be as good as the cpu sending its geometry data to it. Its all about balance. When building a pc its better to have too much cpu vs to little cpu and overly powerful gpu. Because the gpu will just be waiting on the cpu to catch up.

I predict this gen will be like last gen. Both system will produce some unbelievable pretty games in their lifetime. Sony exclusives may have a little more detail but nothing to drastic due to the similar cpu's on both systems.

But but but the PS4 has 8GB GDDR5!!

 

[Mr. Somebody]

I'm really getting tired of this.

PS4 multiplats will look better than xbox one because of ps4 superiority. The shift occurred last night and im sorry for your loss, friend.

You can watch more tv on xbox though and i guess thats appealing to some people.

 

[Mr. Somebody]

Tell me when did the 360 hold back the PS3? The PS3 held it's self back by being hard as hell to code for. Which hopefully PS4 fixes.

The programming architecture for the ps4 is superior now compared to the xbox. The system itself is superior. We have the edge across all fronts. Xbox, in its current form only exists to make games look worse than they would on the PS4. Thats not a product i can support but i guess some people feel brand loyalty, to a fault.