Xbox 720 vs PlayStation 4: Whats in Store?

[ForeverChiefs58]

Microsoft's Xbox 720 and Sony's PlayStation 4 are the two gaming consoles that have been heavily discussed on the Internet over the last few months.

Though both the companies had denied any such developments, gamers expected announcements of the devices at the CES 2012. However, no such announcements were made and now it is expected that official announcements will be made at the E3 2012.

Both PlayStation 4 and the Xbox 720 have to be launched at the same time if they want to stand any chance to outclass each other in the console market. The prices are expected to be high for a console that will deliver next-gen graphics and gameplay. However, both the companies have to play this card wisely as the price factor will have a major determining point in the popularity of the console. The same goes for the game and points achievements and the Live arena options.

Let's have quick look at what could be expected:

Processing Power: Though it is widely believed that the current PlayStation 3 has the edge over the Xbox 360 technically with processing power, graphical prowess and high-definition media via Blu-Ray drive, the next generation Xbox is expected to sport a more powerful processor with extreme graphics capability. According to a New Xbox 720 report, the new Xbox will feature an advanced Central Processing Unit with ground-breaking graphics. The current generation console sports a triple-cored 3.2 GHz processor, coupled with an exciting Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).

However, these specs have been countered by a report from PS4Playstation4.com report, saying Sony will add more SPEs (Synergistic Processing Elements) to the current amount of 8 SPEs which run at 3.2 GHz. Out of this, one is disabled for yield purposes and one for security purposes such as encryption and decryption of the hard drive in real time.

The cell in the PS3 has an overall performance of 204 GFLOPs (floating-point operation per second). It is believed that Sony will increase the current amount of 8 SPEs to 16 SPEs to provide optimal power to heat ratio, provided it is manufactured at 32nm. This will make it capable of consuming the same amount of energy as the 90nm Cell processor found in the 60/20GB PS3s.

It is expected that Microsoft may not choose to stick with IBM to deliver the device's processing power in the future for their new console and a new Fusion chip from AMD might replace it. To meet the fan expectations, Microsoft will surely have to bring in more horsepower to last for at least 10 years. This can be done with an enhanced CPU that will compliment the GPU to produce amazing visuals. Although no game has been declared for the new Xbox, it is believed that titles like "Halo 5" and "Gears of War 4" could become one of the first few games to arrive for the console.

Disc Format: Many believe that Sony will let to go its usual Blu-Ray and replace it with HVDs (Holographic Versatile Disc) though the HVD drives are too expensive and too big.

The new drives are expected to use a full 100GB disc with an advanced Blu-Ray drive for faster reading. The current PS3 has a 2x Blu-ray Disc, where 4x is the minimum to read a 100Gb disc. However, the average read speed nowadays is 8x and it is also relatively cheap. Hence it can be expected that the PS4 will have at least an 8x drive which reads at 36MB/s, and games will load much faster.

The 720, on the other hand, has an unusual rumor making rounds saying that the new console will use Cloud for storage which have been redirected from the fact that Steam has done so well on PC over the years. Now it is being thought if the 720 games will actually feature on a disc at all, or will be simply downloaded from Cloud whenever they will be required. Microsoft could also have opted for the traditional Blu-ray system hadn't it been already owned by rivals, Sony. Other sources have claimed that the future 720 games could also come as Flash drives.

Controller: With rumors making rounds, stories about the console controllers have also gained momentum over the months. Although nothing really is known about the PS4 controller or is too absurd to write about it, the 720 controllers have seen interesting rumors and stories making headlines. It is expected that the 720 controllers will be controlled purely by Kinect style motion sensors. This may sound absurd at the moment but could make a surprise entry with the 720. However, hopefully the traditional style controllers for both Sony and Microsoft will be around for a while.

USB connections: Like the controllers for Sony above, nothing really is known about the Xbox 720 USB connections while a little has been known about the PS4 USB connections. At least 2 to 4 USB 3.0 connections are expected that will back up 100GBs of install data, save data and applications that will take only half the normal time of transfer which can currently take up to 8 hours.

(These are all speculations based on what the consoles currently have and the latest technology that is available at the moment. Any further developments will be posted.)


Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/technolog...#ixzz1jggMJJFG

[SuperChief]

Funny/stupid story: I went out and got a launch 360 and loved it. About 6 months after owning it, my basement flooded, and the 360 happened to be resting on the carpet at the time. After cleanup and all that jazz, I tried to use the console and it didn't work. I was pissed (assumed water damage), so I didn't touch the thing for about a year. For some reason, I got a wild hare to try it again - of course, it didn't work. Then I thought to try a different power source from the one that was flood damaged. Bingo. It still works to this day.

[DMAC]

Originally Posted by Buck

That looks stupid.

You look stupid.

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Unfortunately, that's a common complaint with the 360. I was one of the fortunuate ones. I had my launch system from Day 1 and only got rid of it because I traded it in for a 360s when they came out. I had to send it in once because the graphics chipset needed to be repaired, otherwise I NEVER had a problem with it.

On the controller, I've finally gotten used to the PS3 controller. That being said, I've also noticed over this weekend that if I play for more than 4 hours in a single sitting, the carpal tunnel on my left hand starts to hurt.

So you're saying that the 360 controller is more comfy for you? I can play with the ps3 controller for hours with no problem, but the 360 controller never feels right..too big, clunky and somewhat unresponsive.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

So you're saying that the 360 controller is more comfy for you? I can play with the ps3 controller for hours with no problem, but the 360 controller never feels right..too big, clunky and somewhat unresponsive.

Yeah, the 360 controller was ALOT more comfortable. And ironically, I have quite small hands...

[Bewbies]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

On the controller, I've finally gotten used to the PS3 controller. That being said, I've also noticed over this weekend that if I play for more than 4 hours in a single sitting, the carpal tunnel on my left hand starts to hurt.

Getting old sucks.

[Third Eye]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Yeah, the 360 controller was ALOT more comfortable. And ironically, I have quite small hands...

I completely agree. Frankly, the only things that keep me from getting a PS3 are the controller and the lack of party chat online.

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Yeah, the 360 controller was ALOT more comfortable. And ironically, I have quite small hands...

Probably has something to do with the fact that i've been using a controller just like it for 3 gaming generations..uhhh whatever that means.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Yeah, the 360 controller was ALOT more comfortable. .

This. 360 controllers are much better contoured to fit hands IMO.

[Pants]

The 360 controller is quite possibly the most ergonomic thing ever designed. It's like 50% responsible for me sticking to a 360. I always HATED HATED HATED having to play FIFA on those crap PS3 controllers at my friends' houses. I just hope M$ doesn't go crazy with the Surface part and keeps the shape somewhat close to the current gen.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Pants

The 360 controller is quite possibly the most ergonomic thing ever designed. It's like 50% responsible for me sticking to a 360. I always HATED HATED HATED having to play FIFA on those crap PS3 controllers at my friends' houses. I just hope M$ doesn't go crazy with the Surface part and keeps the shape somewhat close to the current gen.

Wait... so the controller will be a big ass tablet? Like the WiiU?

[Pants]

Originally Posted by -King-

Wait... so the controller will be a big ass tablet? Like the WiiU?

That's the word. I think there might be two separate controllers, though. One is going to be something like the current gen one and be used for games and the other is going to be an M$ Surface tablet for multimedia, etc. I don't know, man.

[New World Order]

Originally Posted by Pants

The 360 controller is quite possibly the most ergonomic thing ever designed. It's like 50% responsible for me sticking to a 360. I always HATED HATED HATED having to play FIFA on those crap PS3 controllers at my friends' houses. I just hope M$ doesn't go crazy with the Surface part and keeps the shape somewhat close to the current gen.

Yeah, I can't play any FPS with a playstation controller, hopefully they redesign the thing but I doubt it.

I hope this gen isnt too expensive, I have been hearing the gpu is a radeon 7 series and a 8 core cpu. You combine that with blu ray, kinect, and most likely a touch screen controller. My god that would cost 600 +

[Guru]

I used to feel that way about the xbox controller but I prefer that PS3 controller now.

[Fruit Ninja]

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

I've had it a week and a half and it's more stable than the 360 ever was. I went through 5 360's, I hate everything Microshaft...It just takes the fun out of gaming. The Ps3 controller is A LOT more comfortable and responsive to me.

Mine had to be replaced 2 times, it still works, except for the disc drive, well it works, it just doesnt eject, but i bought another one, because i wanted HDMI input. The only way to do that was to buy a slim, so i did.

Controller wise, imma give it to the 360 as well, i like that it feels like im holding something. Plus, its just more comfortable for me. I dont like how, also the triggers on the 360 controller are 10x better then the ps3 ones.

I never replaced my ps3, i got to the point where i was like why bother, the next gen will be out soon anyways, and i have a 360 and i play fighting games on it, and thats the system everyone uses for online play. ps3 online for fighting games are ghost towns late at night.

Anyways, its just eveyones personal taste. We will have to see what system seems better for the next gen before i decide what im going to buy.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

Btw I had a 360 for 10 years and hated the pos, just got a PS3 and it is worlds better...hard to explain why.

The 360 is only 7 years old. I have played both. They each have their pluses and minuses. I went with 360 because most of my friends had/have 360s.