EA: PS4, XBox One Are a 'Generation Ahead' of Gaming PCs

[HDmac]

"Beyond that, all we know is that the GPU has 18 compute units and is capable of 1.84 teraflops — i.e. somewhere between the Radeon 7850 and 7870." -http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/148974-ps4-hardware-specs-analyzed-a-big-upgrade-but-ultimately-underwhelming
"These architectures are a generation ahead of the highest end PC on the market"
...
riiiiight 7870 > 3x SLI Titain or GTX 780... keep telling yourself that.

 

[Estix]

something something EA's credibility something...

 

[heroictofu]

While this is on the verge of fanboyism from EA towards console-kind, there is some merit to this. Remember, these consoles are going to focus in on video gaming. They are also heavily multi-core. And because each system is going to be 'set in stone', developers are going to be able to pump graphics probably much higher then we are currently used to on PC gaming. Yes, after a couple of years, the games on PC will have parity and start to outpace, no doubt. But these are very beefy consoles and with software targeting exact specs, developers will be able to push out something amazing.
When the PS3 and Xbox 360 first came out, the games were much better looking then anything I was used to on PC at the time. But sure, after 7 years, of course the PC games dominate what we see right now.
In any case, I have a feeling developers will be able to push graphics far above what we have on PC currently for a few years before PC components become ridiculously more powerful once again.

 

[toddybody]

There are several reasons for this. Both of the new consoles use a Unified Memory Architecture (UMA). That means that the same memory is accessible to both the CPU and GPU. That means that techniques involving the use of both processors on the same data could be significantly faster on the consoles than they are on your PC. It also means that game developers can use a large portion of the available system memory for storing high-res models and textures if they choose. Even high-end PC graphics cards don't usually have more than 3GB of memory today. So there could be issues with running out of video memory in the PC versions of games.

The second factor is resolution and image quality expectations. A lot of people who buy an expensive gaming PC don't want to play at 1080p, and they want to run with higher levels of AA and other settings to enhance the image quality. That doesn't apply to 1080p TVs however that are significantly further away from the player. So while it's not an apples-to-apples comparison, you may need more graphical horsepower to drive your PC display that's 30 inches away than your TV that's 10 feet away.

Sorry, these statements are totally wrong.

On the UMA side of things, theres going to be pluses and minuses for different unified memory types...as the XBOX ONE will run DDR3 (Lower Latency) and the PS4 will have DDR5 (Higher Clocks). Forcing them to use from the same homogenous pool doesnt seem like the most efficient use of memory; as both types have their specific strengths and functions. Also, at 1080p...its almost impossible to run out of VRAM at that resolution for current PC cards. At 1440p, I dont use my 670s (effective) 2GB of memory in any stock title. VRAM amount is NOT an issue here.

The point about resolution for console vs. PC is also off base. The distinction between a 23" 1080p monitor and a 50" 1080p TV is DPI alone, which can be an optical equivalent given their respective viewing distances. So, the perceivable detail on both displays above should be identical...you dont magically need to have AA if its a monitor and not if its a TV. SAME RESOLUTION!!! And yes, "alot of people who buy an expensive gaming PC dont want to play at 1080p"...and the reason is their hardware is capable of running max settings at a higher native res...so whats your point? I GUARANTEE the TBA GPUs of these 2 consoles cant come close to rendering playable frame rates at 2560x1440p.

I could go into a million more points on why current gen PCs (hell, PCs from 2 years ago) can crush the capabilities of these next gen consoles. Im not trying to be a dick and lambaste them though, as Im pretty stoked for their x86 architecture and focus on improved hardware...especially the PS4. Im excited to see what developers bring to the table with these new resources, but this crackhead (which btw, how the hell does he have the job of CTO?) at EA is so far from reality...I suspect he has mild retardation, or he deserves the "technical troll of the year" award.

 

[Soda-88]

Say what...

 

[Innocent_Bystander-1312890]

Maybe the PS4 due to its massive potential amount of graphics memory but that's about it. That gap will close soon enough too. Everything else is PC>Consoles.
IB

 

[agnickolov]

While his claim is technically correct when speaking of a SoC, we all know that a PC without an add-on graphics card is not considered a gaming PC.

 

[billgatez]

I don't think i have ever heard something this dumb in some time.
The fact that your Chief Technology Officer does not know that PC's have had SOC's for some time is crazy. But i guess it's EA and they are run by idiots so i guess i should not be surprised.

 

[joytech22]

If the architecture is a generation ahead, why don't they prove it with a tech demo showcasing how it's any better?
I'll bet you $100 they can't design a tech demo for the consoles that wouldn't run on a "High End Gaming PC", which they seem to be comparing these consoles to.

 

[DKizzy]

Obviously a statement outside the realm of reality.

 

[spacemanjupiter]

HAR... HAR.. Har.. Really? Both consoles are already beat in the hardware capabilities. The Xbox One isn't even worth mentioning if its true that the competition has 50% more raw power. Who would waste their money on such gimped console hardware? The PS4 looks pretty decent and there are some innovations with both consoles' hardware, but that doesn't automatically equate to performance. If the Xbox was at least on par with PS4 I wouldn't have so much to gripe about. I've always been an Xbox fan and now I've really been let down as a gamer.

 

[spacemanjupiter]

How stupid, I couldn't see any comments on this site until I posted a comment? **** off

 

[JJ1217]

I just facepalmed. I facepalmed so much, that my hand went through my face, stretched across the earth, and came back and hit me in the face again. DOUBLE FACEPALM.

 

[Noltz]

Hahaha what retards

 

[DKizzy]

Obviously a statement outside the realm of reality.

 

[smeezekitty]

How stupid, I couldn't see any comments on this site until I posted a comment? **** off

I have the same problem unless I view it on the forum. PLEASE fix this Toms.

 

[Guest]

EA knows how to make me laugh. 😀

 

[Steve Cadieux]

Did EA really say that? Wow, they really have no clue...With their background, how could someone really believe those claims. Better luck next time EA.

 

[Bridzt]

The most absurd lie I have heard/read in 2013.
laughable and sad at the same time.

 

[HT AUS]

"These architectures are a generation ahead of the highest end PC on the market and their unique design of the hardware, the underlying operating system and the live service layer create one of the most compelling platforms to reimagine game mechanics,"
This is one of the worst lies ever. Every PC enthusiast or those who know a lot about PCs should know that there's no way Consoles which cost hundreds of dollars can ever surpass state-of-the-art PCs which cost thousands of dollars! The statement is just so ridiculous.

 

[JJ1217]

what a potatohead.

 

[HT AUS]

ok. Console fans just continue believing in your "superior" devices but I'm sure you have missed and will miss exhilarating and jaw-dropping experiences with advanced gaming PCs.

 

[therabiddeer]

Dear Tomshardware: Please test your website using a non-live version before pushing it live. The amount of bugs here is ridiculous considering the previous version WORKED FINE.

On topic: EA is full of it. The hardware potential is AHEAD of PC's but the demonstrations shown so far are on par with PC's? Also, Madden looked horrible at the Xbox1 reveal.

 

[thasan1]

more like a generation behind. cause that would be a generation ahed in oposite world where EA lives. XD

 

[reyshan]

The guy must be on drugs....