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General discussion

The next generation of consoles

Oct 3, 2005 9:48AM PDT

As you all may have heard, 3 new consoles are being released. However, which one will you choose? Because of all the info on web sites, I will try to keep things simple. First the specs:
It's too long to list, so I posted the urls:

PS3- http://www.ps3.net/ps3-specs.php
XBOX 360- (scroll down a little) http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/factsheet.htm
Revolution- (updated leak) http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000077060215/
(Revolution is still a little iffy with specs)

Let's talk CPU
The PS3 Cell chip has a total of 8 cores, the XBOX has 3, and the Revolution has 2. So I should just wait for a PS3 and everything is fine, right?
Stop.
First, the small 7 cores share a block of cache. This means if one of cores needs storage, it will be limited because of the other 6 (the main one has it's own block). Having these many cores isn't ideal for games right now(think hyperthreading). Also, it's difficult to write code for that many cores. The XBOX's 3 full cores is actually a more ideal approach now, but that may change as gaming technology progresses.

Gameplay
Right now Sony has the largest choice of games, with Microsoft catching up. However, the problem with the current PS2 and Xbox is that most of the games stink(who owns 300 games and likes them all?). The Gamecube still has some kiddy games, but does have a couple of good ones.. It's still too hard to tell what will happen in terms of games. I don't know much on the newer game stuff, fill me in on that.

Controller
A lot of people like the way the Playstation controller fits into the hand. But Nintendo released a relatively interesting controller that you can use with one hand for the Revolution. It's also possible to point it at the screen and move a character by only moving the controller itself. If all goes well, this could be the Revolution's selling point despite it's somewhat behind in hardware.

So which one will you choose, the 360, the PS3, or the Revolution? I'm always against the popular choice, so I would pick the 360, but the only way to determine is to wait for the games themselves. Don't preorder anything until you see all the results.

Discussion is locked

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10 years - LMAO!!
Sep 29, 2006 5:30PM PDT

ps2 ten years. mabye you oughta double check that one buddy.

seeings it was released in march 2000 in japan and october 2000 in the USA.

think before you post.

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exageration
Sep 30, 2006 4:11AM PDT

ok 10yrs was pushing it, but dayum near 7yrs IMO" thats a good deal. pff how long did xbox last. That is my point. So how long do you think the 360 will last compared to ps3.

nuff said

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Xbox did not last 2 years
Oct 2, 2006 4:38AM PDT

I bought mine on launch day some day in November 2001. Hmm, 2005-2001=4 years lifespan...looks like maybe you should think before you post.

Here is a business lesson:

Just ahead to ~2010. The 360 has been out for 5 years and MS is bringing out a new console with better hardware than the PS3 and 360. Sony HAS to do the same within a year of the next MS console from a business standpoint. Sony would lose marketshare and some fanbase if they could not offer a competitor to the new MS console and offering a slim version of the PS3 will not cut it. MS is not in the driver's seat because of their headstart to dictate when the next generation begins. Sony cannot rely on the PS3 being a console that lasts for more than 4 or 5 years because MS will come out with a new one probably in 2010.

nuff said.

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A little much
Oct 8, 2006 9:43AM PDT

OK the ps2 didnt last 10yrs but 1999-2007 is a pretty long life span for a console. My major point is that xbox didnt last as near as long. I still play my ps2 more than I ever did my xbox. MS lost alot of money on the xbox, we all know that and we know they did a great job with the 360 its just to bad I dont like the titles for xbox/ or 360. Once game makers become more unified on the games they create for either console this will be less of an issue I hope.

When PS3 comes out it will take game manufactuers awhile to create games that will really push the ps3 to its limits. All im really saying is that ps3 is way more future proofed than 360. HDMI 1.3,blueray, 7 cores etc... this console should last till 2012. I think its really going to come down to the online play which what im most excited about. Graphics wise ps3 is going to have a strong hold when its pushing 1080p/60frps omg amazing. PS3 will be around alot longer than the 360 and if MS does come out with a new console hurray, I hope its better than the ps3. Im happy their is competivness in this market and I cant wait to see what kinda of technogy comes about. I agree with alot of your points in your business lesson
But by 2008 I feel pretty confident in saying that ps3 will have a strong foot hold over 360 and force MS back to the drawing boards.

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1999-2007?
Oct 9, 2006 2:41AM PDT

I'd say 2000-2006, considering the PS2 was released in Japan in March 4th 2000, PS3 is debuting October 17th 2006.

The ps3's future is very uncertain, make no mistake.
it's very possible that sony will come in third place this time around.

...possible.

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1080p PS3 games
Oct 9, 2006 4:17AM PDT

You do realize that less than 10% of the games made for PS3 will be in full native 1080p and the ones that are, most of them will only have 1080p for the cutscenes...

Developers are not going to spend the extra money to code for 1080p rez. They can work in 720p and have a game that looks great without spending tons of development money that only 10% of HDTV owners will get to experience.

native 1080p for video games is all smoke and mirrors.

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down the road
Oct 10, 2006 3:13AM PDT

right now we might not see the benefit, but 1/2yr later down the road, developers will learn how to use the technology better thus creating better looking games.

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1080..
Oct 12, 2006 4:56AM PDT

does anyone actually want 1080p games?
im not that bothered...

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I do
Oct 12, 2006 8:15AM PDT

only people with HDTV 1080p do

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Kind of
Oct 10, 2006 9:03AM PDT

Main RAM: 512 MB
6 of the seven cores share one cache, so that defeats the point in having them.

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again
Oct 13, 2006 5:59PM PDT

System Bandwidth
Main RAM 25.6GB/s
VRAM 22.4GB/s
RSX 20GB/s (write) + 15GB/s (read)
SB< 2.5GB/s (write) + 2.5GB/s (read)

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One of Nintendo's biggest advantages
Nov 13, 2006 4:15AM PST

It has the largest selection of 3rd Party Developers behind it with MANY future exclusives. So, game selection won't even be an issue. It's also incredibly easy to develop for.

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Its in the cell
Nov 15, 2006 6:59AM PST

Not many people think inside the box.As said the ps3 has 8 proccesors,the 360-3 and the revolution-2.The more proccesing is like a plane.The more power it has the more it can reach its altitude,same way with the ps3,the more processing the more you can play and see with every detail.The procesors can coordinate,apply artificial intelligence,and much more.Overall ,thinking inside the box,the ps3 is the best especially when you can hook it up to a HDTV reaching up to 1080p.