Which is better PS4 or Xbox One: is the choice so obvious? What to choose – PS4 or Xbox One

In the world of game consoles, 2013 is quite rich in important events. Two of the three leading manufacturers of game consoles (Sony and Microsoft) announced completely new models of video consoles in the spring. This, and the product from. The third player, Nintendo, after the release of Wii U in 2012, apparently took a break and is unlikely to please its adherents with anything. But new participants intend to settle in the video console market: the leading manufacturer of graphics processors, NVIDIA, with the Shield project, and independent developers with the OUYA prototype, who received funding and worldwide fame using the popular fundraising service Kickstarter.

Why have we all been waiting so long for new consoles? Because quite a lot of reasons have accumulated for their improvement. Well, of course, this primarily concerns graphics, which can no longer compete with modern combinations of processors and video cards used in personal computers. Microsoft and Sony have already revealed the latest secrets of their new consoles, you can read about this in the PS4 and XBOX One sections. Microsoft is preparing TV content for the XBox, powerful online services and is developing the concept of centralizing home entertainment. With the release of the PlayStation 4, Sony is going to abandon all restrictions, placing its main bet on gamers. There's also Nintendo's Wii U, which you can buy today. However, the new Wii is still far from sane competition with other market players.

Before we pit Sony and Microsoft against each other, let's go back to where it all began.

If you look closely, you will notice that in the last generation there was a lot in common between the consoles from Sony and Microsoft:

512 MB RAM
HDD
optical drive
support for wireless networks and Bluetooth.

Of course there were differences. For example, processors with a common architecture based on IBM PowerPC have different configurations of actuators. RAM, unlike Xbox, where the CPU and graphics processor share the entire available space, in Sony's set-top box the memory is divided in half - into the system and video parts (256 + 256 MB). And the video processors in the consoles are different, Microsoft in the XBOX 360 generation preferred development from ATI (Xenos chip), and Sony chose a solution from NVIDIA called RSX Reality Synthesizer.

The optical drives installed in the consoles were also taken from competing companies. These are Blu-ray Disc for PlayStation and regular DVD-ROM (later failed HD-DVD) for Xbox. Compared to personal computers of that time, both consoles were powerful, advanced gaming solutions that were almost as good as top-end configurations. In terms of CPU computing power, the consoles were not inferior to the latest dual-core processors AMD Athlon X2 and Intel Core 2 Duo, and in terms of peak power they were significantly superior to them. The video subsystem also successfully competed with its desktop counterparts.

CPU in Xbox 360

Developer: IBM.
Name: Cell.
Architecture: IBM PowerPC.
Frequency: 3200 MHz.
Number of execution devices: 3 cores * SMT technology (two threads per core, 6 threads in total).
Peak performance: 115 GFL0PS double precision.
Manufacturing technology: 90 nm (later 65 and 45 nm).

CPU in PlayStation 3

Developers: Sony, Toshiba and IBM.
Name: Cell.
Architecture: IBM PowerPC.
Frequency: 3200 MHz.
Number of actuators: 1 main core + 8 auxiliary coprocessors.
Peak performance: 230.4 GFLoPS single precision and 100 GFL0PS double precision.

One more thing worth noting important point: Having one consistent hardware configuration allows game developers to optimize their products very effectively, getting the most out of the hardware. In terms of multimedia capabilities, game consoles were significantly ahead of personal computers of that time. For example, the presence of a Blu-ray drive in the PlayStation 3 was often the decisive factor when purchasing, since a separately purchased drive of this type was comparable in price to the console itself. And the presence of an HDMI output made it possible to get by with just one cable to connect a large-diagonal TV and a multi-channel sound system. Wireless network technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, flash card reader, etc., began to be widely used in the PC world only after a few years.

Video processor in Xbox 360

Developer: ATI (AMD).
Name: Xenos (C1).
Frequency: 500 MHz.
Number of transistors: 232 million
Production technology: 65 nm.
Shader processors: 240 (5x48, VLIW5 architecture).
Rasterizers: 8.
Memory size and type: up to 512 MB DDR3.
Memory bus: 128 bits.

The Xenos chip, despite supporting unified shaders, is only compatible with DirectX 9 Shader Model 3.0. This processor is a transitional processor between the generations of desktop chips R500 and R600. The latter already have a unified architecture and are compatible with DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0.

Video processor in PS 3

Developer: NVIDIA.
Title: RSX Reality Synthesis.
Frequency: 550 MHz.
Number of transistors: 278 million
Manufacturing technology: 90 nm (later 65 nm).
Shader processors: 24 pixel and 8 vertex.
Rasterizers: 8.
Memory size and type: 256 MB GDDR3.
Memory bus: 128 bits.

The RSX processor, in fact, is one of the modifications of the G70/G71 generation graphics chips (GeForce 7800/7900), having similar functionality and slightly lower performance due to the use of a narrower memory bus. Supports multi-threaded shader pipeline processing.

New generation of game consoles: XBOX One vs PS4, which is better?

Sony was the first to announce its console, so we’ll start the review with it. There have been rumors for a long time that the latest consoles from manufacturers will be based on a specially designed next-generation processor from AMD. After the official presentations of the consoles, this information was confirmed.

Sony console: PS4

The basis of the PlayStation 4 was an 8-core APU (Acceleration Processor Unit) based on the economical Jaguar architecture developed by AMD and integrated into a single chip with a graphics part very close in characteristics to the desktop video adapter Radeon HD7850.

Another distinctive feature of this processor is the ability to work with high-speed GDDR5 memory, which until now was only possible for graphics processors. Thus, the use of ultra-fast GDDR5 memory and a single address space allows you to perform non-graphical calculations much more quickly. As is known, modern graphics processors in a certain range of tasks are capable of calculating digital data tens and sometimes hundreds of times faster than universal central processors. Therefore, today video processors are increasingly used not only for their intended purpose, but also for a variety of calculations. AMD and Intel are paying great attention to this technology, introducing an open standard called OpenCL for their APUs, which regulates non-graphics computing.

The video processor, located on the same chip with the CPU, is currently the undisputed leader in performance and graphics power among all embedded video cores. AMD has always been good at integrating a graphics processor that is significantly faster and often more functional than its competitor's counterparts. However, this time AMD engineers have outdone themselves by doubling the number of cores in the consoles compared to the most powerful desktop APU. Due to the fact that console games differ more high level optimization, graphics in games promise to be unsurpassed. In addition, support for the standard (aka 4K) with a resolution of 3840x2160 and higher is announced, so such a powerful GPU will clearly not be superfluous.

The console will come with a new DualShock 4 controller with rich equipment:

touchpad
gyroscope
accelerometer
vibration function
4-color backlight
speaker

The console is equipped with two cameras with a resolution of up to 1280x800 pixels and a viewing angle of 85 degrees (PlayStation 4 Eye technology), which can track the position of the DualShock controller in space.

The system on a chip that formed the basis of the Xbox One is very similar to its direct competitor. Current characteristics known at the moment:

8-core AMD processor based on Jaguar architecture
8 GB RAM
GCN architecture video card with 768 cores
500 GB hard drive and Blu-ray drive
a full set of network interfaces: gambit Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

However, there is a rather noticeable difference - the platform works with the “usual” type of memory: DDR3. There will be no support for fast GDDR5, as in the PlayStation 4. So far, Microsoft is silent about the intricacies of the system. For example, when talking about some changes to the graphics part of the processor, the developers paid attention to such a factor as the number of simultaneously executed tasks. If desktop Radeon video card The 7000th generation is capable of solving one graphic task or two computing ones, but the processor designed for Xbox One simultaneously solves up to 64 non-graphic tasks. The Xbox One CPU and GPU have one distinctive feature - it is accelerated from 1.6 GHz to 1.75 GHz. Microsoft also accelerated the GPU by 6%.

The developers promise us an improved Kinect game controller built into the console. It is an HD camera that allows you to shoot video in resolutions up to 1080p and control the console using gestures. In addition, at the presentation it was especially noted that they tried to make the new console as quiet as possible.

It is likely that there are other interesting details that will become known closer to the start of sales. new generation consoles. The operating system, as expected, will be of its own design, based on the Windows 8 kernel and, according to the Redmond people, taking all the best from the OS used in the Xbox 360. We are also promised native support for Skype, some expanded TV functionality and improved social services based on Xbox Live. Fortunately, alarming rumors about the mandatory connection of the console to the Internet. This feature can only be implemented on the initiative of individual developers.

Learn more about AMD's Jaguar processor

Jaguar is the successor to the cost-effective Bobcat architecture, widely used in netbooks, nettops, home theaters and a variety of embedded systems. According to the developers, processors based on the Jaguar architecture have a higher rate of instruction execution per clock compared to their predecessors while simultaneously reducing power consumption. Considering the compact bodies of set-top boxes, the moderate heat dissipation of the processor will come in handy. In addition, playmakers now have access to eight full-fledged computing cores, which, according to optimistic estimates, will have a positive effect on modern game engines supporting “real” multi-cores. And the use of the popular and well-known x86 architecture will significantly reduce the barrier to entry into the gaming market for new developers who will not have to master the specific architecture of the previous generation of consoles. Moreover, now the process of porting games from one console platform to another and to personal computers will be greatly simplified, which will make it possible to quickly and cost-effectively release games that can run on both consoles and PCs. It is important to note that Jaguar-based solutions have a modular design and consist of Compute Units containing 4 cores. The PlayStation 4 processor includes two modules. Jaguar has added new streaming SIMD extensions SSE 4.1 and SSE 4.2, advanced AES encryption instructions, the AVX instruction set and other extensions.

Central processing unit used in PlayStation 4

Developer: AMD.
Name: unknown.
Frequency: unknown.
Memory type: GDDR5.

CPU used in Xbox One

Developer: AMD.
Architecture: AMD x86-64.
Frequency: supposedly 1600 MHz.
Number of actuators: 8 cores.
Memory size and type: 8 GB GDDR3.
Peak performance: 1.23 TFL0PS.
Production technology: 28 nm.

Video processor used in PlayStation 4

Developer: AMD.
Name: unknown.
Frequency: unknown.
Production technology: 28 nm.
Computing cores: supposedly 768.
Memory type: GDDR5.
Memory bandwidth: 176 GB/s.

Video processor used in XBOX One

Developer: AMD.
Name: unknown.
Frequency: unknown.
Production technology: 28 nm.
Computing cores: 768.
Memory type: DDR3.
Memory bandwidth: 68.3 GB/s.

Comparison table of technical characteristics of PS4 and XBOX One

	Sony PlayStation 4	Microsoft XBOX One
Processor (CPU)	AMD Jaguar. 8 cores 1.6 GHz	AMD Jaguar. 8 cores 1.75 GHz
RAM
Video Processor (GPU)		AMD. 768 core (GCN architecture)
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Optical drive
Peripheral ports	USB 3.0. HDMI, audio 7.1	USB 3.0, HDMI. audio 7.1
Cameras	PlayStation Eye. 1280p
Network devices	Ethernet 10/100/1000, 802.11b/g/n. Bluetooth 2.1/1Gbit Ethernet. WiFi 802.11n	Ethernet 10/100/1000, 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 / 1Gbit Ethernet. WiFi 802.11n
Input Devices	DualShock 4. PlayStation Move	XBOX One Controller. Kinect 2.0
operating system

Comparison of functionality between PS4 and XBOX One

PlayStation 4. Sony PlayStation 4 is no longer a secret object: it is known that the console is equipped with powerful hardware (see comparison table above) and scores additional points due to the possibility of free use of classic games and a full offline mode. PS4 has a modern, angular design. Classic game discs can be exchanged, gifted or sold without restrictions, at least. for single player mode ( single player). PS4 will be able to work offline without restrictions and will not have regional restrictions. All these innovations became a clear challenge to the main competitor - Microsoft, which intended to bind the user with strict restrictions.
Sony says it wants to make PS4 the ideal platform for future development and give game makers a variety of tools. A special role is given to integration with social networks. The DualSliock 4 controller comes with a Share button that makes it easy for gamers to upload their gaming episodes and favorite videos to Facebook, YouTube or Sony's video portal. The user interface will also provide access to numerous social functions - from downloads and chats to homemade screenshot galleries.
As for the games announced for the future PS4, there are many multi-platform ones among them, but work is also underway on exclusive products. The imminent release of many of them has already been confirmed, information about others has not yet been clarified. We are talking, in particular, about the new Uncharted, LittleBigPlanet 3, Motorstorm 3. Multiplatform games, the release of which has already been announced, include, for example. Watch Dogs, Metro Last Light, Destiny and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.

XBOX One. Microsoft wants even more, and if the Xbox 360 primarily satisfies the needs of passionate gamers. then the Xbox One should become the central element of the living room, connected to all kinds of communication networks. The concept is based on the Xbox live online service and the Kinect motion sensor. Along with series and other TV content, Xbox Live will soon offer sports broadcasts, such as NFL (American football) competitions, at least in the United States. A Blu-ray drive and its own video service (Video on Demand Service) will allow you to watch high-definition movies at any time. The Kinect motion sensor will allow you to get rid of the remote control. Its improved version offers the use of voice commands and gestures to navigate menus, launch games, movies or applications. If voice and movements are not enough, special software for tablets and smartphones will come to the rescue.

Initially, it was stated that when playing offline, the Xbox One must be checked on the Microsoft server every 24 hours. In addition, games purchased for first use were planned to be strictly linked to an Xbox Live account. Fortunately, Microsoft got rid of these restrictions - the company changed its policy and abolished the requirement for a constant connection to the Internet, regional blocking and linking games to an account.

When Microsoft announced that a Kinect sensor would be required to run the Xbox One, it also came under fire. Information has been revealed that Kinect can act as a tool for spying on users. However, a little later the company clarified the matter by clarifying the scope of the sensor’s functions. Kinect, they claim, is integral part Xbox One and can be turned on using the "Xbox on" voice command. When turned off, the Kinect should only respond to these two words. While the console is not active, all other conversations are completely ignored. It is also noteworthy that the Xbox One will not be sold without Kinect.

The release of PlayStation 4 consoles from Sony and Xbox One from Microsoft is getting closer and I don’t want to postpone the choice of a future next-gen console. According to its characteristics, it looks like a game console, while the Xbox One console looks more like a multimedia center. Let's try to understand the difference in performance between both consoles and how to compensate for them in the future.

Comparison of XBOX One and PS4: photos

Differences between consoles: PS4 vs XBOX One

From the information in the first half of the article, it became clear that the performance of the PlayStation 4 in games will be higher than that of the Xbox One. It should be noted that after the announcement technical features new generation consoles, Sony and Microsoft decided to quickly change some of the characteristics of their consoles. Now we have to look at and compare all the key features that play a significant role in performance.

CPU

An interesting fact is that since the announcement of the technical characteristics of its Xbox One, Microsoft has overclocked the console’s processor from 1.6 GHz to 1.75 GHz. Despite the fact that Sony has not yet officially announced what frequency the processor of its PS4 operates at, most believe that the clock frequency of the crystal is the same base 1.6 GHz. The difference of 150 MHz is indeed insignificant, and these 150 MHz will not affect the overall performance picture, but still.

Video card

Both consoles use AMD Radeon graphics chips. The Xbox One GPU clocks at 853 MHz, while the PlayStation 4 runs at 800 MHz. But more importantly, the PlayStation 4 graphics chip has 18 computing units, while the Xbox One GPU has only 12. In total, the Sony console's GPU uses 1,152 stream processors, as opposed to the 768 that Microsoft's console uses. If we consider the issue from the point of view of performance in games in which the main work is assigned to the graphics subsystem of the console, it turns out that it is almost one and a half times higher for the PlayStation 4 than for the Xbox One. It is worth noting that an important indicator here is the frequency of the graphics core, which in total gives about 40 percent of the advantage over the competitor.

RAM

New generation consoles are equipped with 8 GB of RAM. However, in the case of Xbox One, DDR3 memory is used. In the case of the PlayStation - GDDR5, which promises to increase the overall graphics processing speed. The stumbling block in this case is the additional 32 MB of ultra-fast ESRAM memory used in the Xbox One, which in theory should tip the scales in terms of actual bandwidth towards Microsoft's console. But Sony's GDDR5 is faster.

Gaming performance

Nowhere performance differences between PS4 and XBOX One consoles are not as noticeable as the resolutions that consoles support, especially when considering the results in multi-platform games. A striking example is Call game of Duty: Ghosts. The game runs very smoothly on the XBOX One (60 fps) at 720p resolution. In turn, the version for PlayStation 4 is capable of running at 1080p (although it should be noted that some journalists who had the opportunity to get to PS4 and Call of Duty: Ghosts before everyone else noted some drops in frames). The same difference applies to Battlefield 4. The game from DICE will run at 720p on Xbox One, and 900p on PlayStation 4. The same 32 MB of ESRAM memory used in the Xbox One console cannot support 1080p resolution. Plus, ESRAM will add “hemorrhoids” during optimization.

New generation console capabilities

Currently, the Xbox One looks paler than its competitor. But the Xbox One has another ace up its sleeve that will allow it to compete with Sony's console - accessories. For example, the Kinect sensor, which allows you to switch between games, TV programs and the Skype messenger by voice control. True, the usefulness of this function, especially for those who do not speak English, is questionable. The important thing is that these functions use 10 percent of the console's graphics subsystem, which will be taken away from game developers. Previously, most developers noted that, compared to the PlayStation 3, developing games for the Xbox 360 was much easier. Now Sony has created a game console with a simple architecture, and Microsoft has done the opposite. As we already know, games on the XBOX One are low resolution compared to the PS4, and the reason for the lower resolution is the previously vaunted eSRAM from the Xbox One.

Graphics in games on next-gen consoles

To “hush up” resolution problems, Microsoft is now “broadcasting” on all corners about the extensive multimedia capabilities of the Xbox One. Microsoft forgets about the main one target audience consoles - ordinary gamers. As you have now seen, there are indeed differences in the performance of both consoles. And time will tell us their importance. No one is betting on the XBOX One's merits as a multimedia center, but gamers who don't require this functionality may be disappointed. The two companies' sales will largely depend on pre-orders.

The PlayStation 4 was released in the US on November 15th. Europe (including Russia) and Australia received the console on November 29. The Xbox One will go on sale in these territories on November 22; in Russia you will have to wait for the console in 2014. Will you wait?

Glossary

Texture- in fact, this is a picture that “wraps” around the “frame” of a three-dimensional model in the displayed game scene.
ARM- a central processor architecture developed by ARM holding and licensed by third-party developers.
DirectX- a library created by Microsoft together with video processor manufacturers to simplify and unify development computer games. Allows you to run games on video cards different manufacturers and receive an almost identical display of graphic video.
GCN- the latest architecture of AMD video cards.
PhysX— a physics engine that processes collisions and interactions of both solid and soft bodies, as well as liquid and gas, in real time. Widely used in some games, for example in Mafia 2, Batman Arkham Asylum, etc., allowing you to achieve more realistic behavior of objects in the scene. After NVIDIA absorbed the development company Ageia, improved physics was available only to owners of the latest generation GeForce video cards.
x86-64 is a central processor architecture developed by Intel and AMD. Until recently, it was represented mainly on the desktop PC market, and now on consoles.

The new generation of game consoles again confuses users. Which console should I buy? Which one has the best technical characteristics? Which console will the exclusives appear on? And these are just the first questions that come to mind. It's time to deal with them by conducting a kind of comparison between Xbox One and PS4.

A little history

First, we need to put in a good word about the past generation. This example clearly shows how large corporations react to their own mistakes. PlayStation-3 launched later than its competitor. The characteristics of the console were almost identical to those of the Xbox-360. But the price tag was much less humane. Few people dared to spend five hundred bucks on a console in those years. Later, the cost of the console fell, the price was reduced, but it was already difficult to fix anything. The biggest sales came only in the current decade, when the best exclusives began to appear on the console.

Due to the high price tag, the Xbox-360, if it didn’t win the console war, at least felt noticeably better. The console sold well in the first years of its life. Then a certain recession began, which was solved by the introduction of a device called Kinect to the market. It allowed you to control the gameplay without any accessories, using only your own hands.

IN last years There are some problems with Xbox 360 sales. It seems that the gaming console has exhausted its capabilities. A meager number of exclusives began to be released, and questions arose about their quality.

As you understand, both manufacturers had certain problems. Sony has priced its console too high. After some time, Microsoft seemed to have lost interest in their creation. The company stopped incentivizing developers, which is why the release of exclusives has become a very rare occurrence. It is very interesting how manufacturers reacted to their own mistakes.

Announcements of new consoles

Sony clearly made the best conclusions. The PS4 game console received a very “tasty” price tag, which was emphasized during the presentation. Also during the announcements, they talked about a lot of impressive games that await gamers in the future. And even if these were not always exclusives. However, playing them on the new gamepad is a pleasure.

The announcement of the Xbox One caused mixed feelings, unless those watching the presentation were an ardent fan of American television. Microsoft devoted a minimum of time to games. The emphasis was mainly on other entertainment services. The price also turned out to be too high. The manufacturer brazenly charged a hundred bucks for the obligatory Kinect, which many people really didn’t like. Contrary to popular belief, many players enjoy using a gamepad rather than jumping around and waving their arms in front of the TV like a monkey.

Have any conclusions been drawn?

Sony won the war preparations without much effort. She remembered her own mistakes, not making them when announcing her new console. The price turned out to be not very high. When compared, the technical characteristics of the Xbox One and PS4 turned out to be far from equal (this will be discussed a little later). The manufacturer did not force its own camera on the consumer. Also, the Japanese continued to push the idea of exclusives, which is why they appeared at the start of sales new part Killzone with great graphics.

Microsoft doesn’t seem to follow the development of technology. They presented the public with a huge “box”. It surpassed the size of the standard Xbox-360, although this seemed impossible! Questions also arose regarding the design of the device. Microsoft is also not going to solve the problem with the low number of exclusives. Forza, Halo - that's all that awaits Xbox One in the near future. And before them, gamers are provided mainly with sports games and other multi-platforms. There is a feeling that the American corporation is tired of all this, that it wants to gradually exit the game console market. But without unnecessary noise.

Buying consoles

But let's get down to finding out which is better: PS4 or Xbox One. Announcements are a thing of the past. Now both consoles can be purchased if desired. However, this can also be difficult. For unknown reasons, Microsoft is delaying the start of sales of its new console in some markets. For example, in Russia the console is still impossible to find in stores. It is expected that sales in our country will begin only in September. Almost a year after the start of sales in the USA! The only solution for a persistent gamer is to buy a console in another country.

With Sony's console everything is much easier. It has been officially sold in our country for several months. But the severe shortage affected the price tag. In Russia, they are already asking more than five hundred dollars for a PS4. The price will definitely decrease, but it is unknown when this will happen.

Appearance

Judging a game console by its appearance is stupid. However, some people do just that. They are wondering which is better: PS4 or Xbox One. And they answer it only after becoming familiar with the design of the devices. This idea looks stupid. But not in the case of the current generation.

The fact is that the PS4 turned out to be both more beautiful and more compact. Current technology has reached such a level that thin smartphones manage to fit up to three gigabytes of RAM and a quad-core processor. Everyone would be very surprised if the PS4 was the size of its predecessor. The beveled edges also gave the console a certain style.

So what about Xbox One? The answer to this question is deplorable. Microsoft has released a huge box that only lacks wheels. Moreover, the power supply didn’t even fit into this giant box! It will take up additional space on the table or floor.

Menu interface

It would be interesting to ask the developers from Microsoft about why the Xbox One is better than the PS4. They will probably point to the software interface of the set-top box. In fact, the new console has as many as three operating systems. The main one is the redesigned version of Windows 8. It is responsible for the selection of games and all kinds of services. The second system is working on displaying games. The third is designed to keep certain processes in the background.

Theoretically, Microsoft's operating system can be considered an advantage of the console. But Sony PS4 is doing quite well in this regard. The menu looks nice, everything works quickly. Therefore, in the battle “Xbox One vs PS4” on this front, we can assign one point to both consoles.

Ease of use

Everyday use of game consoles evokes two impressions. Here you immediately understand which is better: PS4 or Xbox One. Of course, the first option is much preferable. Japanese Sony company even before the release, it presented an updated PSN service, which began to work much faster. You can access it not only from the set-top box, but also from your mobile device! This way you can check out your achievements and find out what your friends are doing. You can also buy a game from your smartphone, after which it will automatically start downloading to the console.

The most important advantage of the PS4 is its speed. Games launch instantly. The speed of downloading them from the PSN service depends only on your operator. But now you don’t have to wait for the purchased game to be completely downloaded to your hard drive. In most cases, only ten percent loaded is enough, after which the toy can be launched! This is an unprecedented opportunity that completely changes the entire experience of digital purchasing of goods!

Specifications

PS4 or Xbox One? If you are still undecided, then take a look at the technical characteristics of both devices. They seem very similar. But in practice it turns out that PS4 is a more powerful console.

The secret lies in RAM. Both consoles have 8 GB of this type of memory. But in PS4 it belongs to the faster GDDR5 standard. In fact, this is video memory; the block with RAM (512 MB) is located at a distance from it. The Xbox One uses DDR3 RAM, which is much cheaper, but its speed characteristics do not meet modern requirements.

Summarizing

There are a lot of things you can remember about the Xbox One by not purchasing it. But in most cases this is not necessary. It is very difficult to buy it without this. Sony is already selling the new console in 57 countries. Its owners have already become 5.3 million people. Microsoft cannot boast of this. It supplies its products to only a few countries. But even there they rarely buy it, which is why they may soon stop producing the console for a while in order to get rid of its oversupply.

We discussed with you which is better: PS4 or Xbox One. Perhaps we missed something? The graphics also deserve special mention. Xbox One vs PS4 - It turns out to be a kind of battle of the graphics chips installed inside. This war is also won by Sony's console.

A simplified architecture, close to that of a computer, and a detailed manual provided by game developers allow her to do this. As a result, many games on PS4 run in Full HD resolution. The developers say that slow RAM does not allow this to be achieved on Xbox One. Therefore, on this console the maximum resolution is most often 720p. The exception is when the owner of the console launches indie projects and simple sports games. When developing them, it is easiest to achieve maximum resolution.

The winner of our comparison is the PS4. There is not an ounce of doubt about this. The winner is so clear that in the future Microsoft may have problems promoting its console and creating games for it. Or the Americans will have to release an improved version with faster memory. But gamers definitely won’t wait for this.

Quite a lot of time has passed since the presentation of the Sony PlayStation 4 and Xbox One game consoles. The two companies managed to release updated versions of the devices, but the question is still relevant - which is better Xbox One or PS4

Xbox One

Xbox One was developed as a replacement for the eighth generation Xbox 360. The console was released on May 21, 2013.

Microsoft chose the name "One" due to the console's positioning as an all-in-one device, including various features directly related to the development of entertainment content.

Xbox One allows watch movies, music, television, use the Internet through a personalized home screen. To facilitate interaction with the device, voice and gesture control through an external Kinect sensor was developed.

Sony PlayStation 4

PS4 was introduced in 2013 and is still one of the most popular gaming consoles on the market. With a large library of games, an advanced controller and design, and a variety of connected services for online gaming and media streaming, the device is an excellent choice as a primary gaming system.

Besides the console itself, an important piece of hardware is the controller DualShock 4. The standard system comes with one controller, but two can be included. The user can always purchase additional devices separately. PS4 supports up to four controllers simultaneously.

Specifications

Both consoles use the same x86-64 architecture. The devices are equipped with an 8-core Jaguar processor from AMD. The only difference is in the frequencies: on Xbox One, 1.75 GHz, while on PS4, 1.6 GHz. In practice there is almost no difference between the two processors. Unlike standard PCs, console processors and their GPU systems share memory, giving developers much more flexibility in how they allocate resources.

The PlayStation 4 has more powerful RAM - 8GB of fast GDDR5 memory with a high-speed 32MB cache versus the slow DDR3 from the Xbox One. It seems that Sony's console has an advantage here, too, but you should also take into account the fact that the PlayStation 4 operating system requires more RAM.

When comparing the two consoles, there are many differences to consider when choosing a device. However, in terms of hardware characteristics, the choice between Xbox One or PlayStation 4 is not so obvious. To make things easier, the main characteristics are included in the following table:

	PlayStation 4	Xbox One
CPU(CPU)	8-core AMD "Jaguar" 1.6 GHz	8-core AMD "Jaguar" 1.75 GHz
Video card(GPU)	AMD GCN 800 MHz, 18 compute modules	AMD GCN 853 MHz, 12 compute modules
RAM(RAM)	8 GB DDR5 (5500 MHz)	8GB DDR3 (2133 MHz)
HDD	500 GB, removable	500 GB non-replaceable + connection for external hard drive
Drive unit	Blu-ray/DVD	Blu-ray/DVD
Wireless communication modules	Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	WiFi
External ports	USB 3.0 (2 pcs.)	USB 3.0 (3 pcs.)
Controller	DualShock 4	Xbox One controller
average price	29,000 rubles	26,000 rubles

Graphic arts

It’s impossible to say unequivocally that the graphics are better on Xbox one or Playstation 4. Each console has its own characteristics.

The PS4 graphics core contains 50% more compute units, providing parallel graphics power that is used for in-game effects, including real-time in-game physics calculations.

Many cross-platform games on PS4 launch with resolution 1920×1080, while on Xbox One there is a limit on the maximum allowed resolution - 1600x900. This difference is offset by the stable frame rate in some moments on the Xbox One, but overall the Sony device remains much preferable when we're talking about about complete immersion in the gameplay.

Appearance and equipment

Now let's move on to the comparison between Xbox One and PS4.

Sony has packaged all of the console's components into a compact and flat body, focusing the user's attention on the retro-futuristic design. The thin body makes the console space-saving. The only drawback The compact design means that the audibility of the cooler, even during idle moments, leaves much to be desired.

Included PlayStation 4 includes:

PS4 (500 GB, internal power supply);
DualShock 4 controller (battery installed)
mono headset;
HDMI cable;
management
Micro-USB cable

On the front panel there are two USB 3.0 ports that can be used to charge DualShock 4 wireless controllers, or to connect accessories and external devices. The device connects to your TV via HDMI and supports media playback at up to 4K resolution, but gaming resolution is limited to 1080p. In addition to audio, the PlayStation 4 has an optical output for digital surround sound.

Xbox One has more bulky design and takes up a lot of space for a modern gadget. This design move is explained by the fact that a significant part of the console is empty, which was done to provide the necessary space for good ventilation.

The One's design is dominated by matte and glossy black halves, on which there is a slot for Blu-ray discs and an LED touch button indicating the device brand. The button serves as a system switch if it is not possible to use the controller. Given voice controls, the user does not need to directly interact with the device unless it involves changing the drive or adjusting the gamepad.

Due to the structural features, ventilation holes on the top side should not be closed - it is better to leave the device free, but not in a vertical position. TO positive aspects designs include the following: console almost inaudible while working.

The package includes:

Xbox One (500 GB, external power adapter);
Xbox One Controller (two AA batteries);
HDMI cable;
power cable.

On the Xboxe One, the USB port is located to the left of the device, next to the controller registration pairing button. The rear panel houses an HDMI port, a Kinect port, an Ethernet port, an optical audio port, two USB ports, and a power jack.

Comparison of gamepads

Both Sony and Microsoft have developed good and ergonomic controllers. Xbox One controller is a revision of the Xbox 360 gamepad, so there is nothing unique in its form factor: for example, it does not have additional functions or special buttons for interacting with content that can be found on the DualShock controller from PlayStation 4.

DualShock 4 connects wirelessly via Bluetooth and can be charged via micro-USB. A glowing light strip along the front of the controller can be used in conjunction with the PlayStation's optional camera to control motion and provide atmospheric lighting in games. In addition to the standard Jet Black, the controller is available in a variety of colors including Magma Red, Glacier White, Wave Blue or Urban Camouflage, as well as unique limited edition color designs.

The DualShock 4 has two analog sticks, four directional buttons, four action buttons (triangle, circle, cross, square), two bumpers and two triggers. New features in this version include capacitive touch panel, built-in speaker and 3.5 mm audio jack.

Both controls are as convenient as possible and do not have any serious distinctive flaws. But still, the PlayStation 4 gamepad is functionally more convenient and ergonomic.

Convenience of interfaces

PS4 is designed for use with PlayStation Network, an online platform for purchasing and downloading games, demos and media. The console includes some social features such as online multiplayer games, voice chats, messaging, and other multiplayer services.

The user can access PSN if they pay a recurring subscription fee. Payment can be made either monthly or annually, but prices are distributed for each month. Provided upon connection access to a line of free games, which change monthly, as well as discounts for club members.

With a built-in Blu-ray drive and online connectivity, the PS4 is well positioned as a central device as a home entertainment hub. In addition to being able to play Blu-ray and DVD discs, the device supports a variety of online entertainment services, including YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, HBO GO, Hulu and Plex.

Multitasking is well developed in both systems. Switching between apps is a little faster on the PlayStation, while the Xbox One has the advantage of screen sharing technology. picture in picture" Microsoft tends to wrap all apps in its ecosystem, making the signature windowed experience more complex than the PlayStation 4 menu. Sony's console is better at highlighting what's happening around the user - showing new activity from friends, recommended video games or download suggestions, based on recommendations.

After years of updates, the Xbox interface has gone from sluggish and cluttered to fast and customizable. Microsoft continues to introduce new useful features such as possibility of gift games, receiving instant technical support with Xbox Assist and other important features.

However, the PS4 menu is much more suitable for navigational interactions. That said, it's still the best console when it comes to capturing gaming moments and sharing them with friends. With a quick press of the DualShock 4's share button, you can record a video clip, stream gameplay to Twitch and Youtube, or instantly take a screenshot. In this regard, the Xboxe One has its limitations.

Available games

Both consoles boast significant game libraries. PS4 has just over 1600 titles, of which more 500 console exclusives, while the Xbox One has about 1300 games, of which only 150 are exclusive.

With hits like Uncharted 4, Horizon: Zero Dawn and God of War, PS4 exclusive offerings include some of the biggest and highest AAA ratings of this generation.

On top of that, over 200 video games have been released for PS4, including beloved favorites like Grand Theft Auto, Overwatch, Battlefield, and The Last of Us, and popular sports franchises like FIFA Soccer and Madden NFL. This extensive library also includes several exclusives: Infamous, Bloodborne, Driveclub and Uncharted.

At the same time, it cannot be said that the Microsoft console does not have exclusive titles: Halo 5, Forza Horizon3, Gears of War 4 and other sensational games. The hit product PUBG, the unique Tacoma or Cuphead are launched only on Microsoft consoles.

Multiplatform games tend to run better on PS4. Frame capture, screenshots, and sharing of these elements are smoother on PlayStation 4.

So which is better PS4 or Xbox One?

An objective assessment of the choice of consoles depends on many factors that were discussed above.

If the user buys a console only for games, there are many arguments in favor of the PS4. These include:

high hardware performance, which manifests itself in stable versions of multi-platform games;
A versatile gaming controller, including new control options and good deals on the PlayStation Plus premium service.

If the user requires the device mainly multimedia content, Xbox One has the best video and music services today, as well as SkyDrive online storage and integration with TV content.

Xbox One and PS 4 have already passed a year and a half of their life. After this time, one can already judge the real pros and cons of both consoles, although this hardly simplifies the agony of choice when it comes to buying one or another console.

Microsoft is committed to delivering monthly updates for Xbox One. Every 30 days, owners receive several new features for their console, making Xbox One the best choice as an all-in-one entertainment console.

These updates bring a host of media-focused entertainment components, including expanded TV integration, DLNA support and the ability to expand Xbox internal storage using an external hard drive.

Sony took a different route; they release their software updates sporadically, which makes them larger in volume and much more anticipated.

The latest 2.0 update brought SharePlay features, dynamic backgrounds, and YouTube support, as well as many minor updates, mostly focused on gaming.

But that doesn't mean Microsoft isn't focusing on the gaming side of its console. Quite the opposite. At the Windows 10 event, the company announced the ability to stream games from Xbox One to a computer or tablet, which should allow you to play console games on Windows 10-enabled devices.

So this is not an easy decision. Both consoles have their pros, cons, and quirks, some of which seem designed to make the choice difficult.

To help you decide which console is best for you, we've compared every aspect of the specs so you can make an informed decision between Xbox One and PS4.

Price

After a year and a half on the market, both consoles reached their most justified prices. At launch, the Xbox One cost a whopping $120 more than the PlayStation 4. This was explained by the fact that you were forced to buy the Kinect sensor, which was included in the basic package.

However, already in May, Microsoft released a version without Kinect, at a price almost identical to the PS 4 price - $525. This helped increase the number of consoles sold, as the console became more affordable for those who could not afford to spend $600 for new Xbox One.

Now, on average, the Xbox, even complete with the game, is cheaper than the PS 4. Below we present approximate prices for retail sale for the winter of 2015, now you can probably find other offers, but they are unlikely to be much different:

Xbox One:
Xbox One - $450
Xbox One bundled with Assassin's Creed Unity and AC 4: Black Flag - $495
Xbox One with Kinect - $570
Xbox One game bundle - $495

PS 4:
PS 4 - $495
PS 4 bundle with game - $525

Design

Xbox One is 10% larger than the Xbox 360. The console is made in the “big black box” style and weighs 3.18 kg.
PS 4 is a thinner design with sloping edges. The weight of the console is 2.8 kg.

Different approaches were used to develop the design of Xbox One and PS 4.

Microsoft's Xbox One is quite a large device - an imposing black monolith in your living room. The PS 4 is sleeker, slimmer, and much less likely to dominate the space around your TV. Although, in principle, both consoles have similar stern masculine features.

Xbox One is 10% larger than the previous generation Xbox. It weighs about the same as the previous console - about 3 kilograms. PS 4 is only slightly lighter at 2.8 kg. This shouldn't be a big surprise since they are made of similar parts.

Why extra space on Xbox One? It is likely that part of the internal volume is intended to improve the cooling system. Overheating was a major issue in the Xbox 360, responsible for the "red ring problem" that plagued the console of previous years.

Chargers and cables are also worth considering when it comes to set-top box design. The Xbox One has a huge brick of power supply that needs to be turned on and off. This makes it much more difficult to manage cables neatly, as it requires space and is not too difficult to access to plug in. On the other hand, the PS 4 has a single power cable that plugs directly into an outlet. There are no traces of any bulky power supplies, which means moving the console from room to room is much easier.

Of course, from a space perspective, it's preferable to have a PS 4 in your room, although the Xbox One may be more reliable in the long run thanks to its cooling system. For a year and a half, no critical problems were identified with the hardware of both consoles, which is good news for consumers.

Interface

Let's take a moment to look at what the user interfaces of both consoles look like.

The look and feel of the Xbox One software is clearly inspired by elements of Windows Phone and Windows 8. Microsoft clearly wanted to achieve some level of parity between the platforms.

On the outside, everything looks modern, but many users criticize the software for crashes and bouts of strange behavior. So the Xbox One is currently experiencing certain problems with this component. This is definitely something Microsoft needs to address if they want their console owners to have access to functionality beyond just playing games from discs.

PS 4 has a simple, somewhat less ambitious user interface. Most of them use scrolling in one direction, which gives the impression of a more intuitive interface.

However, there is still a lot of room for improvement here. For example, you can't list Netflix apps in the "Recently Used" list, even though many console users love them.

Controllers

Which controller is better? Gamepad from Xbox One or DualShock 4? It's not that easy to decide!

Both gamepads are largely the same as their predecessors, but the DualShock still feels like it has undergone big changes. Microsoft went with what worked well in the previous generation controller. The new gamepad has undergone an adjustment rather than a redesign.

There were two main changes. The Xbox One gamepad has vibration motors built into the triggers, which give a response, for example, when shooting. Microsoft has also made huge strides in the D-pad area. The overly soft D-pad on the Xbox 360 gamepad has become much more clickable and responsive. This will work wonders in games like Street Fighter.

Unfortunately, the Xbox One controller still requires a pair of AA batteries to operate, rather than being rechargeable like the DualShock 4. You'll have to buy the roughly $29 Play and Charge kit for each controller separately.

However, if you use AA batteries, you will definitely notice that the operating time of the Xbox One controller is much higher than that of the DualShock 4. The PS 4 gamepad, apparently, will have to be charged after each game session.

The changes in DualShock 4 are much more noticeable. It is slightly shorter than the previous version and much heavier. It seems that this gamepad is harder than the DualShock 3.

Sony has significantly improved the analog sticks of the DualShock 4. The DualShock 3 was not entirely comfortable for first-person shooters, but now the DualShock 4 is completely suitable for any genre of console games. There's also a new touchpad between the thumbsticks and the main buttons, and the Share key makes it easy to download gameplay videos.

After all this, can we say that we have found a winner? Hardly. If you liked the Xbox 360 controller, then you'll prefer the new Xbox One controller. However, the DualShock 4 gives a feeling of ruggedness that was missing from the previous generation.

Who is more powerful?

If you're a hardcore gamer, chances are you're concerned about how a game compares on different devices.

Which console is more powerful? The answer is simple - PlayStation 4. Let's look at why this is so from the technical side.

Experience now shows that some multi-platform games, such as Battlefield 4, run at lower resolutions on Xbox One and higher resolutions on PS4. This may change in the future as developers become more familiar with a particular console. But at the start, the PlayStation 4 has an obvious advantage.

CPU

Xbox One– 8-core AMD Jaguar processor
PS 4- 8-core AMD Jaguar processor

Xbox One and PS 4 use extremely similar processors from AMD. Also, both use a hybrid type of microprocessor architecture, which allows you to combine the central and graphic processors.

Xbox One runs at 1.75 GHz, which has been increased from 1.6 GHz in the base version. Sony is a little slower at 1.6 GHz. Some may think that the Xbox One has more power. This is not the case. The power of the GPU plays a more important role here.

GPU and RAM

Xbox One- analogue of Radeon HD 7000 series, 8GB DDR3 RAM and 32 MB eSRAM
PS 4- analogue of Radeon HD 7000 series, 8 GB GDDR5 RAM

Both consoles also use AMD GPUs.

At first glance, the GPUs seem to be identical, but they are not. On paper, the PS 4's GPU is 50% more powerful: 1,152 shader processors versus the Xbox One's 768.

Realizing that this situation does not look good, Microsoft decided to improve the performance of the Xbox by increasing the GPU speed from 800MHz to 853MHz. A good help for developers, but it is unlikely to be enough to catch up with the PS 4.

The extra processing power in the PS 4 will allow you to handle more tasks at once, which in theory should result in more impressive visuals.

A more powerful GPU is paired with more impressive RAM. The PS4 uses GDDR5 memory, while the Xbox One uses the more common DDR3 - and in both cases the capacity is 8GB.

GDDR5 has much higher bandwidth than DDR3 as it was specifically designed for resource-intensive applications.

If DDR3 was all the Xbox One had, it would be a very serious problem. But this console has an eSRAM buffer, which should help bridge the 100GB/sec gap in memory bandwidth between the two different types.

The information that the PS 4 is more powerful than the Xbox One has caused a significantly higher number of pre-orders for the console from Sony.

With a more powerful GPU and seemingly faster memory, the PlayStation 4 has greater graphics capabilities. But how do they compare with the capabilities of PC video cards? Basically, the Xbox One can be compared to the Radeon 7790, and the PS 4 can be compared to the Radeon 7870. The price difference between these cards is about $50 - that's all you need to know if you're a PC gamer.

However, EA's chief technology officer, Rajat Tenea, claims that consoles are a generation ahead of the top PC on the market. This seems ridiculous considering that such a computer can cost thousands of dollars, and the console is only a few hundred.

However, the indisputable fact is that the current generation of consoles is 8-10 times more powerful than the previous one. However, let's not forget that increasing graphical fidelity requires an exponential increase in power - which means we won't be looking at games that look 8-10 times better.

Graphic arts

One of the main reasons why gamers preferred the PS 4 over the Xbox One was its more powerful graphics hardware. But will such an advantage translate into better graphics in games?

In a number of cases this is true. It's not necessarily the absence of any effects, less complex shadows or other obvious reductions in the graphics part, but the output resolution plays an important role. In many games, PS 4 shows more a high resolution than Xbox One.

On a good 1080p TV, you can see the difference in the image, but you'll have to look closely to see it. However, the current generation of games does not have a huge difference when running on different consoles.

Below are a few screenshots from graphics comparison videos:

This screenshot gives the impression that the image on the Xbox One is more detailed, but it's worth considering that the details on the PS 4 are somewhat obscured by the dust effect. When viewing footage from PS 4, you can see that the image on them is more contrasty. This is quite noticeable in video comparison graphics.

The situation is the same - frames from PS 4 are more contrasty, and the road textures also look better.

Digital Foundry spent a lot of time to see the differences between the hardware of the two consoles. They built computers using the same graphics hardware as consoles. The results showed that the performance of the PS4 counterpart was 24% higher.

Facts in favor of Xbox One.

Larger size can mean greater reliability.
The sheer size of the Xbox One console allows for more room for air circulation, which can keep the console from overheating even when running under load for long periods of time.

The Kinect sensor is undeniably cool.
Not everyone is a fan of the Kinect, but it has some serious potential that the PS 4 camera doesn't have. For example, you can use it to control your console using gestures.

Xbox One exclusives - Sunset Overdrive and Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
If you haven't played Halo yet, now is a great time to get acquainted with this universe. The entire Halo series and all multiplayer maps are being remastered in HD for Xbox One. Sunset Overdrive's colorful, varied and slightly manic gameplay could also be a strong case for Xbox One.

Connecting an additional hard drive.
One of the most requested features for the Xbox One was the ability to connect an additional hard drive. The developers have implemented the ability to connect two additional drives with a capacity of 256 GB or more. Once the console has formatted them, the drives can be used to store games, applications and other content.

The media player will turn the Xbox One into an entertainment system.
Xbox One allows you not only to play media files from USB devices, but also to connect a cable or satellite TV set-top box. You can play and watch TV at the same time. There's also access to Skype for Xbox One, YouTube, Twitch and more.

Games with golden perks.
As with the Xbox 360, if you're an Xbox Live Gold member, you'll get 2 free games per month, as well as various discounts that can help you save big on games.

Facts in favor of PlayStation 4.

Takes up less space.
If you have a cramped room, then this will be an obvious advantage of the PS 4. It really takes up much less space. This is also due to the fact that this console does not have an inconvenient power supply. In addition, transporting the PS 4, for example, to a friend’s house, will be very easy.

PlayStation 4 is more powerful.
PS 4 has a significantly more powerful GPU. The performance difference is about 50%.

Remote play for Vita.
This feature allows you to play full PS 4 games on your Vita using a Wi-Fi connection. Perhaps this only matters to owners of this device, but in any case it’s a nice feature.

Playstation TV allows you to play on any TV in your home.
This feature was announced at E3 2014. It will allow you to play games on any TV in the house, even if the TV to which the console is connected is busy watching some TV shows. The Playstation TV will cost around $130, which may be a bit pricey, but it's definitely a very useful addition.

Excellent free games program PS Plus.
A subscription to this service will cost about $60 per year and it includes, among other things, one free game per month. Currently, this program is more profitable than Live Gold from Xbox One.

PS 4 gamepad is better.
This may be a controversial statement, but in my opinion the PS 4 gamepad gives the best impression in terms of materials and responsiveness.

PS4 Share Play is a very important feature.
PS4 Share Play became available after update 2.0. This is absolutely new feature, which will create what Sony calls a “virtual sofa.” The function creates a local co-op game, but online, that is, you can invite your friend to play not only multiplayer, but also a story-based company. Moreover, your friend may not even own this game. Each session has an hour time limit, but there is no limit on the number of sessions.

Bottom line

PlayStation 4 is still better suited as a gaming choice. The excellent PlayStation Plus service, a larger power reserve and, it seems to us, a slightly more comfortable gamepad speak in favor of this decision. The situation with exclusives will improve The Order: 1886 and Bloodborne, and the big three Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty still feel more comfortable on PS 4 hardware. By choosing Xbox One, you are most likely purchasing an all-in-one entertainment station. Combining games with television, a music player and even a set of fitness applications will allow the device to find fans with different requirements and tastes. From a gamer's perspective, this console is supported by a fairly strong lineup of exclusive games. In addition, this console saves you some money, which is also important. There's no wrong choice between these consoles right now.

A comparison of Xbox One and Xbox One S, as well as their competitor from Sony, will be interesting for many fans of the current generation of consoles. Between them there is a big difference according to a variety of parameters that are important to consider when choosing. The article touches on the main aspects that affect the comfort of using consoles

Difference between Microsoft models

A comparison between Xbox One and Xbox One S can be done even at a quick glance, because the difference between them is minimal.

The most significant change is the 0.1 teraflops (TFLOPS) increase in the graphics microprocessor. This model has 1.4 TFLOPS.

It's also worth noting that the later version of the console is slightly overclocked, which improves performance somewhat.

The third and final difference between the varieties of console series is the size. Against 34.3 in length, 26.3 in width, and 8 cm in thickness, the S model has 29.5, 23 and 6.5, respectively. The weight of 3.54 kg remained the same, despite the modernization in the direction of compactness.

Comparison of hardware with a competitor from Sony

If you compare Xbox One and Xbox One S with PS4, the difference in the internal hardware will be visible even to the naked eye. The use of the slower GDDR3 internal memory standard in Microsoft consoles does not work in its favor. At the same time, PS4 is equipped with a newer DDR5 model, which is faster in processing data. Even the presence of 32 megabytes of ESRAM on the Xbox does not help the situation - the speed of working with information lags behind the Japanese competitor.

Another clear advantage of the Sony console is the distribution of RAM. All the consoles mentioned above are equipped with 8 gigabytes, but the PS4 only has one of them for support operating system. For Xbox in two versions it takes three times as much. This leaves only 5 gigabytes for games, which is not so much considering the requirements of current projects. Comparison of Xbox One and Xbox One S with PS4 in this regard is completely advantageous in favor of the Japanese. And although Microsoft corrected their mistake, the bad taste remained, and Sony is still in the lead. The only thing that can save the situation is the fact that specific projects for a specific platform can be optimized in different ways.

Graphics and performance comparison

When comparing the graphics of PS4 and Xbox One S (newer model), the leadership again goes to Japanese developers. Every project launched on their console must meet the 1080p bar, while competitors have some entertainment available only in 900p. Naturally, the graphics in such games will be better from Sony's brainchild.

Even if we take cross-platform work, then when running on PS4 the picture shows on average 5 frames higher. There are moments when in a game the Japanese console confidently shows 60 FPS on the screen, while in the same place the Americans, for some unknown reason, only have 25. The introduction of DirectX 12 to improve performance and correct distribution of hardware did not change the situation. It is worth saying that such performance gaps are extremely rare, but they do exist. That’s why the Japanese one is once again taking the lead, even in graphic terms.

Appearance

The comparison between PS4 Slim and Xbox One S is best done in terms of appearance. Both models are improved consoles of the new generation - the modernization has affected their compactness. The dimensions of the Microsoft console were given above, but even with the reduction in dimensions, manufacturers were unable to reach the level of the 2013 PS4. It is several millimeters smaller in all respects, and the Slim version gives you twice the shape. This is exactly how much less the console costs than the Xbox One S, which will be of great importance for lovers of ergonomics. In addition, the Americans were unable to come up with anything else but to make the console in the form of a larger one. At the same time, the power supply is not built inside, and therefore stands on the side in the form of a smaller container. This decision was justified by the fact that the system would not overheat, but Sony did not have such problems even without this. Design preferences are a purely personal matter for each user, but numerous reviews speak in favor of a more convenient PS4.

Controllers

You also need to compare Xbox One S and Playstation 4 in terms of the level of comfort of use for which the controllers are responsible. Here the opinions of fans were divided, although no one argued that Microsoft had ideal gamepads before. They did not fundamentally alter their structure; they added some edits and adjusted them to fit the new console. Among the main changes, it is necessary to note the vibration on the triggers, the change in the cross button, the movement of the menu key and other minor changes.

From Sony they modified it with a touch display and built a speaker into it. This is designed for deeper immersion into the game, but may scare impressionable players.

The main disadvantage at the start was the charge, which lasted for a maximum of six or eight hours. The Playstation camera communication light for changing the lighting was initially constantly on, but with the update there was a function for adjusting the brightness on it. When comparing controllers with maximum reliability and convenience, Microsoft wins.

Additional features

Comparing the Xbox One S and PS4 Pro in any of the parameters is inappropriate, because this version is an updated console from Sony, which was released in 2017. Even in terms of accessibility features, the Xbox will be far behind. If we take the standard Playstation 4, then we can make some analogies. For example, at first, consoles from Japanese manufacturers had 15 minutes of in-game action in their memory, while Americans only had 10, but updates corrected this. The feature is incredibly useful for people who make video games. The PS4 allows you to use the Vita handheld console as a joystick with a screen, and the Xbox has full support for Kinect technology. The developers tried to interest the gaming community with updates, but Sony Corporation did a little better.