CPU
The central processing unit of any game system is its heart. A fast, technologically advanced CPU can open the doors to previously unavailable processes, such as more advanced artificial intelligence, more detailed landscapes, realistic physics for a more lifelike look and feel, as well as subtle visual effects like rippling cloth or realistic fluid modeling.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360's CPU is a big boost from the original Xbox's aging single-core 733 MHz Intel Celeron. Based on IBM's PowerPC spec, the 360's CPU features a powerful three-core design that runs at a perky 3.2 GHz -- enough horsepower to ensure some serious next-gen giddyup. The CPU also handles up to six hardware threads, giving developers extra power to handle more tasks at once.
But as powerful as it is, the Xbox 360 CPU can't quite hang with Sony's "supercomputer-on-a-chip" Cell processor, though it does allow for more (and better) special effects, visual detail, and advanced artificial intelligence. It slightly trails the PS3's Cell processor in terms of long-term potential, but the 360 has more than enough brainpower.
CPU score: 4.25 (out of 5.0)
PlayStation 3
The PS3's CPU, called "Cell," is a product of a long-term partnership between IBM, Sony, and Toshiba. It's probably the PS3's key technological advantage. Cell's 3.2 Ghz PowerPC core is surrounded by seven co-processing units, and is capable of running with up to nine hardware threads. In theory, the Cell's nine-thread design should give it a leg up over the competition, empowering programmers to support realistic real-time environment deformation, complex particle effects, and higher-quality artificial intelligence.
Of course, this kind of power comes with a price. Cell isn't the easiest CPU to code for, and many next-gen developers are struggling to make sense of the chip's unusually complex design. But the developers we've spoken with agree that once coders begin to program in parallel, Cell's true power will become apparent. Besides, judging by the PS3's showing at this year's Tokyo Game Show, programmers are already showing signs of picking up on the Cell's processing strengths. In short, programmers will still be finding new ways to leverage this processor long after the PS3 ships.
CPU score: 4.75 (out of 5.0)
Wii
Easily the small fry of the next-gen lineup, the Wii is powered by a PowerPC-based CPU called "Broadway." This chip was jointly developed by Nintendo and IBM specifically for the Nintendo Wii and is a 90-nanometer process version of the 180-nm "Gekko" chip that powered Nintendo's 2001 console, the GameCube. One advantage to shrinking down the existing Gekko silicon is that Broadway will draw 20 percent less power while providing a modest boost to speed.
The only catch: Nintendo hasn't released any official ratings for the Broadway, and it's unlikely to do so in the near future. Current speculation places the Wii's Broadway CPU at roughly 700 megahertz, or less than twice as fast as the GameCube's Gekko (485 MHz). It also boasts a single-core design, making it closer to a last-gen processor than a next-gen processor. Though it's crushed by the PS3 and Xbox 360 CPUs, the Broadway should provide enough power for Nintendo's mass-market approach.
CPU score: 2.75 (out of 5.0)
Winner
PlayStation 3
If consumer battles were won by sheer CPU speed and power alone, there'd be no next-gen war at all -- Microsoft and Nintendo would already be retreating with their tails between their legs. The PS3's Cell processor has the downside of being tricky to work with, but will give developers the long-term flexibility they need to pull off radical effects like widespread environment deformation, pixel-perfect ragdoll physics, and massive-scale particle effects without so much as a hitch in the frame rate. Harnessed properly, there's no doubt that Cell is a processing monster.
GRAPHICS
Xbox 360
Gamers who've already scored an Xbox 360 can attest to its ability to churn out some spectacular visuals. And no wonder, considering it comes armed with custom ATI graphics hardware that rivals some of the beastly cards found in today's high-end gaming PC's. We'll let the numbers speak for themselves: the 360's 512 MB of dedicated video RAM is an advantage over the PS3's 256 MB of dedicated video RAM.
Also worth considering is the fact that developers have more experience working with the Xbox 360's graphical architecture thanks to its year-long head start. This means that developers will be taking full advantage of the 360's capabilities as they're still struggling to get a grasp of the PS3.
The Xbox 360 is adept at HD resolutions; it can natively handle 480i all the way up to 1080i, and a forthcoming software update is alleged to add true, full 1080 progressive scan support. Unfortunately, the Xbox 360 is currently held back by its analog video output; only component video and VGA. Digital DVI or HDMI output would be far preferable.
Graphics score: 4.5 (out of 5.0)
PlayStation 3
From one perspective, the PS3's technological soft spot is its graphics processor, the "RSX" chip developed by PC video card manufacturer nVidia. Though the 550 Mhz clock speed is fast enough to blow away many gaming PC setups, the RSX is missing one key component: dedicated memory. With only 256 MB of dedicated RAM, PS3 developers will have to make tough choices about what visual details to leave in (CPU-devoted special effects like rippling cloth or water) and what to trim out (huge, super-crisp environment textures and anti-aliasing, or instance) in order to make games fit into that smaller memory footprint. The games will still look fantastic, but memory useage will be a constant concern. On the other hand, the RSX chip can access the PS3's auxiliary 256 MB of system RAM, so it once again comes down to programming chops.
The PS3 can support every single TV resolution, from jagged old 480i all the way up to 1080 progressive scan. Coupled with the integrated HDMI video output (now found on every single PS3 model), Sony's betting heavily that the PS3's digital video capabilities will make for the clearest, cleanest visuals. We'd have to agree.
Graphics score: 4.75 (out of 5.0)
Wii
Graphically, the Wii is at a decided disadvantage compared to its competition. The Wii's graphics processor features a 243 MHz "Hollywood" GPU built by ATI -- that's looselycomparable to the original Xbox's 233 MHz video processor. Nintendo is playing coy with the hard technical specs, but the Wii is rumored to only feature some 88 MB of total RAM, split between graphical and system processes. This is about twice the GameCube's RAM, but less than one-fifth the total RAM found in the Xbox 360 and PS3, so it's only natural that the Wii is easily outgunned by those technological titans. The graphics will definitely be an improvement compared to Nintendo's current-gen GameCube, but beyond that, don't get your hopes up.
Furthermore, the Wii can support up to 480 progressive scan; a nice boost from cruddy old 480i, but a far cry from the 720 and 1080 support for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Don't expect any high-end digital video output, either -- for the time being, the Wii tops out at analog component cables.
Graphics score: 3.5 (out of 5.0)
Winner
PlayStation 3
This is an extremely tight decision, as the Xbox 360's unified memory architecture was a smarter move from an engineering point of view. But at the end of the day, we think the PS3 visuals just look more, well, next-gen. That's not to say that the Xbox 360 visuals are deficient; after all, just look at the dazzling Gears of War, or the kaleidoscopic Viva Pinata.
HDMI/DVI video support was also a key advantage for the PlayStation 3, and native 1080p support is a big plus as well.
Though we gave a slight edge to the PS3 in this category, it's important to remember that many games will look identically good on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. But when you see Lair or MotorStorm running at 1080i* via HDMI, it's hard to deny that the PS3 has a visual edge over the Xbox 360. Whether that advantage comes from the Cell CPU, massive Blu-ray storage, or just programming wizardry remains to be seen.
MEDIA FORMAT
The days of cartridges and CD-ROMS are over (well, almost). These days, it's mass storage that counts, and competition has never been more fierce.
Xbox 360
With HD-DVD and Blu-ray about to enter the ring for a bloody format war, the 360 plays it safe with a sure bet: DVD-9, better known as dual-layer DVD. Though it does suffer in the storage department (roughly 8 gigabytes for a dual-layer disc versus 25 gigs for a single-layer Blu-ray disc), the DVD-9 spec is mature and proven, unlike Sony's Blu-ray.
The downside is that eventually, the PS3 will be flying in first class with copious digital leg room while the 360 will be stuck back in coach. Though high-def movie playback won't be an issue thanks to the newly announced HD-DVD add-on ($199 this fall), the Xbox 360 won't have the flexibility of a next-gen storage format to fall back on.
Media Format score: 3.0 (out of 5.0)
PlayStation 3
By now everybody knows that the PS3 will come standard with a 2x Blu-ray Disc drive, a new Sony-designed media format that holds 25 GB per disc (50 GB for dual-layer discs). Compared to DVD's 8 GB for dual layers, there's no contest: Blu-ray holds three times as much information.
But sheer storage size isn't the only factor. There's been considerable controversy over the somewhat pokey data read rate of the 2x Blu-ray drive inside the PS3, leading some to suggest that the Xbox 360's 12x DVD-9 drive will actually perform faster and lead to shorter load times when compared to the PS3. As it turns out, this controversy has been overblown. The Xbox 360's DVD-9 drive slows as it reaches the inner rings of a dual-layer disc (from a top speed of 15 MB/s to a low of 4 MB/s), while the Blu-ray keeps a steady read rate (9 MB/s) under all conditions.
Translation? The PS3 and Xbox 360 should see very similar disc read times, giving neither format a key advantage. Therefore, the PS3's size advantage is a considerable asset in its favor...though, as usual, it comes with a frustratingly large price tag.
Media Format score: 4.0 (out of 5.0)
Wii
The Wii supports the Wii's 12 cm dual-layer proprietary discs, which have been reported to hold 8.5 gigabytes of data, and the GameCube's smaller 8 cm discs, which only store 1.5 gigabytes of data.
Pretty tame stuff here; not much to get excited about. The Wii plays it pretty straight when it comes to media support, with one key detail that bears repeating: the Wii won't play normal DVD movies, only Wii and GameCube games.
Media Format score: 3.0 (out of 5.0)
Winner
PlayStation 3
Pretty much a blowout, but what did you expect? Again, there's nothing wrong with the standard DVD-9 format, but it's hard to deny that it's beginning to show its age for high-definition content. Sony's Blu-ray, industry jockeying aside, is simply a superior format...pricey, but superior. Case closed.
CONTROLLER
A controller is essentially the "face" of a game console. It's what you see, touch, and feel the most. Countless systems have been doomed by shoddy controllers (the Jaguar's 9-button keypad, anyone?).
The good news is, all the next-gen consoles have something unique to offer in terms of handling and function. There's never been a better time to be a gamer!
Xbox 360
The original Xbox controller was an undisputed disaster: huge, clunky, and downright awkward. But when Microsoft unveiled the Xbox 360 controller, it proved that it's capable of learning from its past mistakes. Sleek and ergonomic, the Xbox 360 controller is a giant step in the right direction...yet not quite as time-tested as Sony's design (formally called "DualShock") nor as daring as the Wii's motion-sensitive controller.
Though the controller doesn't feature any fancy motion-sensing or integrated speakers, it does feature solid support for force feedback, aka "rumbling." And wireless models are available, complete with long-lasting rechargeable battery packs. The Xbox 360 controller might not be ground breaking, but it's as safe, familiar, and comfortable as an old pair of grass-stained Pumas.
Controller score: 4.0 (out of 5.0)
PlayStation 3
As with all PlayStation controllers, the grip is comfortable, the buttons are placed well, and the overall package is slim and sleek. The PS3 goes one step further with its Bluetooth wireless connectivity (standard on all models), its smoother, more sensitive analog sticks, beefed up shoulder triggers, and a new tilt-sensing feature that will let players control actions by waving the controller around, ala Nintendo's Wii.
Yet it's not quite the perfect combination. Sony made one key sacrifice: force feedback. The PS3 controller will not "rumble," which is a damn shame considering that force feedback has been a standard feature in video game consoles since the original PlayStation. Is this a result of Sony's lawsuit with force feedback patent-holder Immersion Corp., or merely a byproduct of the integrated motion sensor (as Sony claims)? One thing's for sure -- dropping rumbling will be a painful sacrifice for players.
Controller score: 4.0 (out of 5.0)
Wii
Definitely in a league of its own, the Wii supports an arsenal of unique controller options. The most hyped, and readily recognizable, is the Wii's motion-sensing capabilities. The Wii controller set, which consists of the wireless "Wii-mote" and the wired "Nunchuck" add-on, allows gamers to experience gameplay in an entirely new way by merely waving the controller in the air. The Wii also features built-in rumbling support (we can confirm this), a small built-in speaker (a welcome addition sure to be exploited by clever designers), and onscreen pointer functionality that allows the remote to act like a computer mouse. The Wii is definitely groundbreaking, but is it truly a "revolution"? The jury is still out, but early signs are promising.
In addition to the uniquely recognizable Nintendo Wii controller, players can also buy a re-engineered dual-analog stick controller, which looks like the SNES controller fused with the PS2 DualShock. As a nice bonus, the original Nintendo GameCube and WaveBird controllers are fully supported.
Controller score: 4.25 (out of 5.0)
Winner
Wii
It may seem a bit early to make this call, but ask yourself this: of the three next-gen consoles, which one will change the way you play games? The only answer is "Wii." The Xbox 360 controller is vanilla all the way; the PS3 controller is a nice baby step forward, with its motion-sensing abilities, but the lack of rumble is a slap in the face. Only the Wii really tries something new...and judging by our most recent experiences with it, it works just as advertised. Of course, the onus is on game developers to design the best experiences.
After extended playing time with the Wii, we've come to appreciate what it does for gaming. It's super comfortable (even for extended stretches of play), super intuitive, and, well, just plain super.
And the overall winner is Playstation 3
Nema komentara:
Objavi komentar