Microsoft took the wraps off of its upcoming Xbox One console earlier this week, and it is now possible to compare Microsoft and Sony's next-generation hardware.
Prior to the Xbox One launch, Forbes contributor Paul Tassi postulated that Microsoft would be going a different route than Sony with its next Xbox. Specifically, that Microsoft would focus more on media playback and applications rather than purely gaming (unlike Sony, which is doing the opposite). At the time, I found myself agreeing with his sentiment, and now that the console as launched I believe Mr. Tassi was absolutely correct. Microsoft wants the Xbox One to be the center of your living room and the device you use for all of your media (and gaming) needs. The new console integrates the Windows kernel and can do multitasking of applications and media in a Metro-UI like fashion (2/3, 1/3 split screen).
On the other hand, Sony is positioning its console as the best gaming device for the living room, and is focusing on integrating all things gaming with media as more of an afterthought. Like previous PlayStation consoles, it will likely play back media files and Blu-ray movies just fine, but it is a gaming box at its core.
Interestingly, the hardware that both companies have chosen seems to line up nicely with those goals. Both the Xbox One and PS4 are based around a semi-custom AMD APU with eight Jaguar CPU cores, but they have gone in different directions from there.
PlayStation 4 hardware:
As a refresher, Sony's PS4 has the following hardware specifications.
- CPU: Eight core AMD “Jaguar” CPU
- GPU: AMD GCN GPU with 1152 shader units (in 18 CUs)
- Memory: 8GB of GDDR5 clocked at 5500MHz
- HDD: At least a spindle hard drive
- Bandwidth: 176 GB/s
Sony has changed directions from the PS3 by going with a simpler design that provides more graphical horsepower and higher system memory bandwidth versus the Xbox One. The PS4 uses a semi-custom AMD chip that has saved Sony a great deal of R&D money while also being easier for developers as it is that much closer to a traditional PC with its x86-64 APU (GDDR5 memory is unusual though). The PS4 is aimed at gamers and Sony's choice of hardware and memory reflects that.
Xbox One hardware:
Microsoft was not as forthcoming as Sony as far as touting specific hardware specifications, but based on the announcement and additional information acquired by AnandTech, the Xbox One features the following hardware:
- CPU: Eight core AMD “Jaguar” CPU
- GPU: AMD GCN GPU with 768 shader cores (within 12 Compute Units)
- Memory: 8GB of DDR3 system memory at 2133MHz as well as 32MB of on-chip eSRAM
- HDD: 500GB
- DDR3 Memory Bandwidth: 68.3 GB/s
- eSRAM Memory Bandwidth: 102GB/s
Microsoft took a different approach with the Xbox One. Instead of going for DDR5 like Sony did, Microsoft opted for a hybrid approach that uses a small but high-bandwidth and low latency embedded SRAM on the same chip as the CPU and GPU paired with a larger 8GB of traditional PC DDR3 system memory. This approach is interesting because it gives Microsoft a system that has access to low latency memory at the expense of the higher bandwidth that the PS4 enjoys with its single pool of DDR5 memory. Developers will need to become familiar with the embedded RAM to take full advantage of the latency benefits, however.
These hardware choices work out such that the PS4 has a distinct advantage when it comes to gaming performance. It has more GPU horsepower and high-bandwidth memory for feeding the processor high resolution textures. On the other hand, while Microsoft's console still has a respectable GPU (for a console), it seems to be optimized for lower latency memory access and just enough graphics oomph to enable the company to have a multimedia and home entertainment machine that can run multiple applications simultaneously while also satisfying gamers by giving them a decent graphical upgrade over the Xbox 360 for games.
This next generation of consoles should be interesting, as will the ensuing "flame wars" between fans. Both Microsoft and Sony have learned from the past (current) generation of consoles and are focusing on what they are good at to differentiate themselves. Microsoft is tapping into its Windows ecosystem of PCs and mobile devices and providing an app machine that the company hopes will be the hub of your living room entertainment needs. Sony, who does not have that expertise or existing infrastructure is also focusing in on what it excels at and that is gaming.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the consoles co-exist and how the market shakes out over 2014 and into the future as the hardware stays the same but software changes. Sony definitely has the hardware advantage to stay in the game longer when it comes to games and graphics, but Microsoft has a box that can do more than games and can find purchase in your media rack even after it is surpassed in gaming graphics quality by PCs and the competition.
What do you think about the split between the Xbox One and PS4's hardware?
I’m fine with DirecTv’s
I’m fine with DirecTv’s DVR
but here to better PC ports!!
I think they should of kept
I think they should of kept the hardware the same in both the systems because you might have some draw backs when porting the video game. It suppose to be a gaming system!!! I was looking forward to “Next Generation Game Play” but I do not know now!!!
Xbox is doing what a console
Xbox is doing what a console should be doing: providing an entertainment hub for the center of the household. PC gaming has grown in popularity immensely in the last couple years and will continue to provide the top shelf gaming experience with eye candy, control input, and flexibility. Sony will find themselves in the same shoes they were in three years ago with a stale console and intriguing-but-now-stagnant I.P.’s. I do find the Playstation to be a mysterious and exciting machine for console gaming, I just hope Sony can capitalize this time around on its mystique.
And yet, for services like
And yet, for services like Netflix (US, of course) the PS3 is the most commonly used device as of 6 months ago. (source)
I like low latency.
Those
I like low latency.
Those theoretical bandwidth limits are never reached in real use anyways.
Studies have been done and
Studies have been done and much more time is spent on XBOX doing non-gaming activities.
MSFT is on the right track and their interface/Live is way better.
They just built my next MCE !
An external USB3.0 TV tuner
An external USB3.0 TV tuner card would easily work on the One.
And MSFT pointed out from the get-go , the One is future upgradeable.
XboxO is fine for US
XboxO is fine for US citizens, but not that much for rest of the world. Many of this TV content is not available in other countries. I think XboxO will do fine in US but not in Europe or Asia. Also, I fill sorry for all those who bought expensive peripherals like Fanatec wheels which will probably not work on XboxO.
Do you check these things
Do you check these things before posting ?
Second line in the paragraft after the PS4 specs “horespower” instead of horsepower.
Last line in the paragraft after the xbox one specs “hwoever” instead of however.
Are you joking?!?! You are on
Are you joking?!?! You are on about spelling while you spell paragraft instead of paragraph. You just went full retard. Never go full retard.
Looks like I’m getting the
Looks like I’m getting the Wii U if it’s the only console that will let you play used games without charging you for it.
im willing to bet amd used
im willing to bet amd used sony and microsoft as testing grounds for where their future apu developments are going
What about the offloading to
What about the offloading to the cloud that the XO does? How many % of the calculations done is related to stuff that isn’t updated every “millisecond”?
The author of this article
The author of this article needs to do more research before he make such a ludicrous assertion that Microsoft is at a better position than Sony to provide that hub for the living room. Let’s not forget that Sony is a massive media company and Sony have its own video and music streaming businesses. Sony also owns a movie studio.
Sony having a movie studio
Sony having a movie studio actually puts them at a disadvantage. Look at Hulu and their problems getting content. It’s difficult to satisfy multiple masters.
Now, for me the debate is
Now, for me the debate is between getting a PS4 gaming console or a desktop gaming computer. The Xbox One has eliminated itself with the inferior specs.
Now, for me the debate is
Now, for me the debate is between getting a PS4 gaming console or a desktop gaming computer. The Xbox One has eliminated itself with the inferior specs.
with PS4 and XBOX one specs
with PS4 and XBOX one specs like this, i’m very excited about next generation video game (next year)
so PS4 performance around AMD HD 7850 and XBOX One around AMD HD 7770 ?
Bring back the ZX Spectrum!
Bring back the ZX Spectrum!