The Console War

[Muffins]

Since I cannot start a poll, please designate your favorite next-gen console. No Flaming please. Please just simply list your favorite console. Please feel free to discuss also.

 

1. Playstaion 3

 

2. Wii

 

3. Xbox 360

 

 

My Vote: Playstation 3

 

Edit:

 

Hard Facts:

 

 

 

PS3

 

CPU: Cell Processor

 

    * PowerPC-base Core @3.2GHz

    * 1 VMX vector unit per core

    * 512KB L2 cache

    * 7 x SPE @3.2GHz

    * 7 x 128b 128 SIMD GPRs

    * 7 x 256KB SRAM for SPE

    * * 1 of 8 SPEs reserved for redundancy total floating point performance: 218 GFLOPS

 

GPU: RSX @550MHz

 

    * 1.8 TFLOPS floating point performance

    * Full HD (up to 1080p) x 2 channels

    * Multi-way programmable parallel floating point shader pipelines

 

Sound: Dolby 5.1ch, DTS, LPCM, etc. (Cell-base processing)

 

Memory:

 

    * 256MB XDR Main RAM @3.2GHz

    * 256MB GDDR3 VRAM @700MHz

 

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)

 

System Floating Point Performance: 2 TFLOPS

 

Storage:

 

    * HDD

    * Detachable 2.5” HDD slot x 1

 

I/O:

 

    * USB: Front x 4, Rear x 2 (USB2.0)

    * Memory Stick: standard/Duo, PRO x 1

    * SD: standard/mini x 1

    * CompactFlash: (Type I, II) x 1

 

Communication: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) x3 (input x 1 + output x 2)

 

Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 b/g

 

Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)

 

Controller:

 

    * Bluetooth (up to 7)

    * USB2.0 (wired)

    * Wi-Fi (PSP®)

    * Network (over IP)

 

AV Output:

 

    * Screen size: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p

    * HDMI: HDMI out x 2

    * Analog: AV MULTI OUT x 1

    * Digital audio: DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) x 1

 

CD Disc media (read only):

 

    * PlayStation CD-ROM

    * PlayStation 2 CD-ROM

    * CD-DA (ROM), CD-R, CD-RW

    * SACD Hybrid (CD layer), SACD HD

    * DualDisc (audio side), DualDisc (DVD side)

 

DVD Disc media (read only):

 

    * PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM

    * PLAYSTATION 3 DVD-ROM

    * DVD-Video: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW

 

Blu-ray Disc media (read only):

 

    * PLAYSTATION 3 BD-ROM

    * BD-Video: BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE

 

 

 

Xbox 360

 

A 20GB hard drive, high-def game support and a 500MHz ATI graphics processor: Glimpse the Xbox 360's system performance specifications as provided by Microsoft.

 

Custom IBM PowerPC-based CPU

• Three symmetrical cores running at 3.2 GHz each

• Two hardware threads per core; six hardware threads total

• VMX-128 vector unit per core; three total

• 128 VMX-128 registers per hardware thread

• 1 MB L2 cache

 

CPU Game Math Performance

• 9 billion dot product operations per second

 

Custom ATI Graphics Processor

• 500MHz processor

• 10 MB of embedded DRAM

• 48-way parallel floating-point dynamically scheduled shader pipelines

• Unified shader architecture

 

Polygon Performance

• 500 million triangles per second

 

Pixel Fill Rate

• 16 gigasamples per second fill rate using 4x MSAA

 

Shader Performance

• 48 billion shader operations per second

 

Memory

• 512 MB of GDDR3 RAM

• 700 MHz of DDR

• Unified memory architecture

 

Memory Bandwidth • 22.4 GB/s memory interface bus bandwidth

• 256 GB/s memory bandwidth to EDRAM

• 21.6 GB/s front-side bus

 

Overall System Floating-Point Performance

• 1 teraflop

 

Storage

• Detachable and upgradeable 20GB hard drive

• 12x dual-layer DVD-ROM

• Memory Unit support starting at 64 MB

 

I/O

• Support for up to four wireless game controllers

• Three USB 2.0 ports

• Two memory unit slots

 

Optimized for Online

• Instant, out-of-the-box access to Xbox Live features with broadband service, including Xbox Live Marketplace for downloadable content, gamer profile for digital identity, and voice chat to talk to friends while playing games, watching movies or listening to music

• Built-in Ethernet port

• Wi-Fi ready: 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g

• Video camera ready

 

Digital Media Support

• Support for DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA CD, MP3 CD, JPEG Photo CD

• Ability to stream media from portable music devices, digital cameras and Windows XP-based PCs

• Ability to rip music to the Xbox 360 hard drive • Custom playlists in every game

• Built-in Media Center Extender for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

• Interactive, full-screen 3-D visualizers

 

High-Definition Game Support

• All games supported at 16:9, 720p and 1080i, anti-aliasing

• Standard-definition and high-definition video output supported

 

Audio

• Multichannel surround sound output

• Supports 48KHz 16-bit audio

• 320 independent decompression channels

• 32-bit audio processing

• Over 256 audio channels

 

System Orientation

• Stands vertically or horizontally

 

Customizable Face Plates

• Interchangeable to personalize the console

 

 

 

 

Wii

 

The Wii Hardware

 

- Nintendo Wii’s ‘Broadway’ CPU operates at 729MHZ with a maximum bandwith of 1.9gbyte/sec.

- Nintendo Wii’s ‘HollyWood’ GPU is clocked at 243MHZ, the internal memory of it includes 3mb of embedded graphics memory and 24megabytes of high speed main memory.

- 64megabytes of GDDR3 (MEM2) as the external main memory. Just like the internal memory, it can be accessed from the CPU and GPU with a maximum bandwidth of 4gbytes/sec and can also store programs in the MEM2.

- The GPU of the Wii is identical to the GC’s but it is on average 1.5X faster.

 

Wii's Optical Disc Drive

 

- Opitcal Disc Drive (ODD) supports single and dual layer Wii disks, discs eject with software or button and the maximum read speed is the equivalent of DVDx6.

- Two main disc types supported the single sided 12cm single sided 4.7gb and the double sided 8.51 GB. Nintendo GC discs also supported. Some of the capacity of the discs are used by the system and games can not use full disc space.

- Inserting a disc will start the Wii console, even if it was already in an off state. Pressing the eject button will change the console to an on state to take out the disc also.

 

General Overview

 

- An optional wired LAN adapter that connects to a USB port is in the pipeline for users who do not possess a wireless LAN set-up currently.

- Internal non-removable 512MB flash memory used to storage game save data and downloadable content thus eliminating the Need for a memory card.

- Both Wii discs and Gamecube discs can be played via an intelligent mode swap. When running in GC mode, the Wii’s CPU and GPU will lower to the respective speeds of the GC and some of the MEM2 functions as ARAM.

- Software development environment is an upgrade to the ‘Dolphin SDK’ used with the GC; the same libraries are used so developers can get up to scratch easily as well as the possibility of ports being easier.

- The following interfaces are included with the Wii; SD card slot, Wireless controller, two USB 2.0 ports, wireless LAN, 4x GC controller ports, 2x GC memory card slots and an AV multi output jack (only an analog jack).

- Supports Wii disks (one sided 12cm) and GC discs (one sided 8cm) and console auto switches depends on what disk is inserted

- More than just the Nunchaku is planned as an extension. GC peripherals such as DK bongos can be used in both Wii and GC modes.

- Three power status, on, off and unplugged. To prevent mistaken turn offs, the power button must be held for about a second.

 

The Wii Control System

 

- The Wii controller features; Direct Pointing Device, Three axis accelerometer, Wii power button (remotely turn console on/off), buttons, wireless connectivity, indicator LED’s, rumble, battery powered (two AA alkaline batteries) and ability to connect extension unit.

- The Wii controller supports three types of operations; by itself, with a nunchuk extension or with a classic controller. Classic controllers will ship to developers during August 2006.

- The SYNCHRO button on the Wii controller exchanges wireless ID numbers when pressed at the same time as SYNCRHO on the Wii console. Wireless communications are only possible with consoles which have been authenticated.

- The rumble motor can be turned on and off and the intensity can be changed.

- The Wii remote has a pointer for fine movements as well as a motion sensor +/- 3.4G suitable for larger body movements, the nunchuk attachment has a sensor of +/- 2G

- The sensor bar must be placed above or below a TV set, the pointer measures coordinates between the ends of the bar which are about 20cm apart.

- The Wii remote has four status, disconnected, communicating, establishing connection and pairing wait status.

- The pointer can measure co-ordinates within bounds of rectangle centered upon the sensor bar, thus it can also measure points beyond the screen. It also responds to strong light sources, windows, fluorescent lamps, fireplaces, mirrors etc.

- Due to players hands shaking while holding the controller, a ring buffer allows a precise direction to be created to hold and average accelerator samples.

 

Thanks 'TheGuy' for the info!

 

Big shoutout must go out to the 'TheGuy' for this info!

 

*UPDATE* The dev mailed us and said he was shocked to see all these cries of 'fake', so he provided some more info to show he's not bluffing...

 

Broadway CPU

 

Broadway is Wii's CPU. Broadway functionality and specifications are as follows.

 

• Operating speed: 729 MHz

• Bus to main memory: 243 MHz, 64 bits (maximum bandwidth: 1.9 gigabytes/sec)

• 32-kilobyte 8-way set-associative L1 instruction cache

• 32-kilobyte 8-way set-associative L1 data cache (can set up 16-kilobyte data scratch pad)

• Superscalar microprocessor with six execution units (floating-point unit, branching unit, system regis

ter unit, load/store unit, two integer units)

• DMA unit (15-entry DMA request queue) used by 16-kilobyte data scratch pad

• Write-gather buffer for writing graphics command lists to the graphics chip

• Onboard 256-kilobyte 2-way set-associative L2 integrated cache

• Two, 32-bit integer units (IU)

• One floating point unit (FPU) (supports single precision (32-bit) and double precision (64-bit))

• The FPU supports paired single floating point (FP/PS)

• The FPU supports paired single multiply add (ps_madd). Most FP/PS instructions can be issued in

each cycle and completed in three cycles.

• Fixed-point to floating-point conversion can be performed at the same time as FPU register load and

store, with no loss in performance.

• The branch unit supports static branch prediction and dynamic branch prediction.

• When an instruction is stalled on data, the next instruction can be issued and executed. All instructions

maintain program logic and will complete in the correct program order.

• Supports three L2 cache fetch modes: 32-Byte, 64-Byte, and 128-Byte.

• Supports these bus pipeline depth levels: level 2, level 3, and level 4.

Reference Information: Broadway is upward compatible with Nintendo GameCube’s CPU (Gekko).

 

Hollywood GPU

 

Hollywood is a system LSI composed of a GPU and internal main memory (MEM1). Hollywood is clocked at 243 MHz. Its internal memory consists of 3 megabytes of embedded graphics memory and 24 megabytes of high speed main memory.

 

Hollywood includes the following.

• Graphics processing unit (with 3 megabytes of eDRAM)

• Audio DSP

• I/O Bridge

• 24 megabytes of internal main memory

• Internal main memory operates at 486 MHz.

Maximum bandwidth between Hollywood and internal main memory: 3.9 gigabytes per second

• Possible to locate a program here

Reference Information: Hollywood is similar to Nintendo GameCube’s Flipper and Splash components.

 

External Main Memory (MEM2)

 

Wii uses 64 megabytes of GDDR3 (MEM2) as external main memory. Like internal main memory, MEM2 can be accessed directly from Broadway and the GPU at high speed and has a peak bandwidth of 4 gigabytes/sec. Programs can also be placed in MEM2.

 

Reference Information: Nintendo GameCube ARAM is used as auxiliary memory for the DSP. The CPU and GPU did not have direct access to it.

Edited February 4, 2007 by muffins

[RMT]

 

RMT seals the lid back on the can of worms.

 

Xbox 360.

Edited November 21, 2006 by RMT

[Sly_Madman]

This will only cause fanboys to say "HEY PS3 RULZ NO XBOX NINTNDUO SUXXORS N U R ALL GAY" or vice-versa.

 

But, to make this post worthwhile, I will be buying a 360, then if I have enough money next year I'll probably pick up a Wii.

[Mr.Mister]

SexBox 360.

[Jonny_Tightlips]

1. That penis console.2. 360

[Vanilla Shake]

I was gonna go with a PS3, but I've ultimately decided to go with a 360.

[BCspeed34]

It's a pretty hard one for me to choose, I kindof like them all equally in their own special way.

 

XBOX 360 - It has a great homescreen and awesome online service, buy you have to pay for it. Graphics and the anti-aliasing rock, but sometimes I get a little bit of lag when I am in the PGR3 garage. GRAW is amazing, but I think the controls could be changed to be a bit better. The sound is awesome, but I need to fix my surround sound as only the front speakers run. It really sucks that you NEED a HD to play the old games, even with a memory card. Us core owners feel the pain.

 

Nintendo Wii - I live how small it is, and I bought one to actually keep too. The interactiveness is amazing, yet it could be nice if it were not so sensitive on some games (as I hear). I have not opened my Wii yet. I have also heard that the disc drive does not light up while in use, which turns me down a little bit. he blue looked awesome in the pictures. The really good part of the Wii is that it already has WiFi, old game downloads, free internet gaming, and the low price. On the other hand, the game is not in hi-def, which is a big letdown for me. I also heard that unlike the other 2, Nintendo actually makes a $50 profit per system!

 

PlayStation 3 - This IMO is the sexiest looking console. The thing is just a pure beaut. The glossy black and chrome just screams out to me. I have not played any games on the PS3, considering it had burned out after a day at Best Buy (or so they said). The Blu-Ray is innovative, but I really think it is an un-needed technology for it's time. It, like the Wii, has free internet service, and also has WiFi in the 60BG model. The good thing that separates the PS3 from the 360 is the fact that no matter what console you buy, you still get a substantial amount of HD space. It's sad to see the PS3 sold at such high prices online. That is its only turn-off to me at the moment.

 

So yeah, I love em' all, and I just need a PS3 now. Hopefully someday I can pull up enough cash and buy one

[GTA3Freak-2001]

 

GTA3Freak-2001 tip-toes around the egg shells

 

I made my choice 2 months ago, it had to be the 360 on account of primarily price compared to the PS3 but also the way Sony are carrying on turned me right off the PS3 and this is from someone who still treasures his PS2. Sweeteners were GTA4, many great games, awesome online system and honestly I think its the sexiest console ever made.

[darthYENIK]

I don't know. I've only played a little bit of 360 almost a year ago. But if someone was offering me any one of the three, I would go for PS3. If someone was offering me a 360 or wii, well that's just too hard a decision right now.

[Moth]

playstation 3 cause it is my favorite then the wii the only promble is the price and that there are no more ps3 in the stores

[Seddo]

I bought a 360 and what a good move it twas

[MyMothersMySister]

Never looked back from my Xbox. Gives me some relief from Fps when I need it.

 

Buying a Wii for christmas though. For my daughter.

[The Bone County Butcher]

Yup, when i turned to Xbox i never looked back either. Now i have my 360 and all is right in the world.

[Mafia Righthand_Man]

For me, it's either the 360 or the Wii. I don't have any next gen systems yet, but they both look pretty appealing. I wasn't as interested in the Wii when it was announced, because yes, the controller looked completely retarded. But after seeing it in action in commercials and such, I'm thinking it's not such a bad concept. The only other reason I might not get a Wii is because there have only been a few Nintendo games that have appealed to me since the Gamecube, but I dunno, there might be some interesting ones coming to Wii.

 

Most likely I will get the 360 though, my biggest reason being that it has some Xbox exclusives that I want to play, as well as games shared between the PS3 and 360, but cheaper.

 

I originally wanted the PS3, but I lost interest. I don't feel like going into that.

[TEoS]

I want to get a Wii and a 360, but they both only have 1 game that I really want each (Twilight Princess and Gears of War, respectively). So I think I may just hold out for awhile. Who knows, there might even be a price drop.

[Grandthefter]

360 at number one (cos i already have one)

Wii at number two (due to the cheapness)

PS3 at number three (due to the expensiveness, yet this was the one i was looking foward to the most at the start)

[BCspeed34]

Well I just got to play a PS3, not too impressed at all. I don't know what game it was but it was a horrible off-road rally game, and there was LAG!. The game was moving slow and it was hard as f*ck to turn, even with the sensors on. THe graphics look a tad bit better than the 360.

 

So it's offical now,

 

360 - Played, own one

Wii - Have yet to play at home, own one

PS3 - Played, do not own

[DJDJ]

Well seeing as i've heard the ps3s are apparently a fire hazard, plus the hefty price, im afraid im goingto go for the xbox, unless the ps3 ARENT hazardous (i have a topic round here bout that)

Looks like 360s WAAAY ahead. frankly the Wii makes me laugh

 

[Moth]

Well seeing as i've heard the ps3s are apparently a fire hazard,

where did you hear that man

[Teqila]

I own a 360 and still want a PS3. Honestly if they were released on the same day I would get th PS3. Really the price should not determine the quality of a console but rather the games and the abilities of the console itself.

[gillies]

In terms of actually buying something: none of the above.

 

On some kind of spiritual level: XBox 360.

[darthYENIK]

I'd like to retract my statment of PS3 being the one. Everyone I hear who has it, says it gets boring fast. So I'll go with Wii being my favorite.

[Muffins]

nice to see my topic has taken off with such little friction but I want to endever on my first post. Playstation 3 for the hardware, Xbox 360 for MY kind of games, and Wii for a variety of games, Playstation 3 ending up as my favorite though.

[Simon.]

This is how I see these new consoles.

 

1. Wii:

   Low price

   Awesome games (Zelda, Mario, Super Smash Bros.)

   Innovation

   Familiar with game series

    

    

2. PS3:

   Mega power

   Square Enix (Make excellent games)

   Grand Theft Auto

   Familiar with game series

   High price

    

    

3. X360:

   Grand Theft Auto

   Mid power

   Mid price

   Not familiar with game series

[Sauron]

I don't know which system is the best, each has their pros and cons and the Wii and Playstation 3 can't be judged after only just being released. THe good and bad of each system, in no particular order.

 

Wii

- Free Internets

- Twilight Princess, Metroid, Smash Bros.

- New style of gameplay, pro and con

- Lame graphics, then again it's all about the gameplay. Right?

- Cheap, compared to other systems.

 

PS3

- Final Fantasy XIII

- Ridiculously expensive

 

XBOX 360

- Gears of War, Dead Rising, GRAW etc.

- Affordable

 

I don't know which I would choose, to early to tell which is the superior system I say

[GTA3Freak-2001]

1. X360:

   Grand Theft Auto

   Mid power

   Mid price

   Not familiar with game series

Actually you'll find both consoles are about as powerful as each other, infact the 360 is said to be more powerful in its use for gaming. Its power can be more harnessed for games. Just thought I'd mention that since people seem to think that the PS3's uber power will make a difference in games.

[TheDude5000]

 

 

 

 

X360:

Grand Theft Auto

Mid power

Mid price

Not familiar with game series

 

 

Actually you'll find both consoles are about as powerful as each other, infact the 360 is said to be more powerful in its use for gaming. Its power can be more harnessed for games. Just thought I'd mention that since people seem to think that the PS3's uber power will make a difference in games.

Mid Power? Ouch.

 

Just remember how PS3 games which have been delayed all year cant compare to GOW in the look department...or any department for that matter.

 

As for me:

 

Wii:

-Sure to be some fantastic first party games

-Wiimote might actually make for some really fun games

-Very low price, good availability

 

 

 

360:

-Best online service. Simple, yet great.

-Growing library of fantastic games.

-Awesome(and growing) multimedia capabilities.

 

 

PS3:

-Price is a bit much, especially since there's no real interesting launch games besides Resistance.

-It will also have a number of fantastic first and third party games in the years to come

-Connectivity between a console and a handheld that's actually interesting

 

I'm enjoying my 360 quite a bit, and look forward to getting both the Wii and PS3 within the next few months. My advice: don't be a stupid fanboy and limit yourself to one console. Save up, get all 3, enjoy all the wonderful titles and other features.

[Lost-Fender]

The truth is I really go with the PS3, but its future looks pretty dark, kinda. The thing is...

 

-It's so bloody expensive

-Haven't played it yet, so I can't judge it

-Looks like many people are going for the other two

 

... but...

 

-It has Grand Theft Auto

-It has Metal Gear Solid

-It has Final Fantasy

-It looks so hot and beautiful to me, both the console and the graphics, judging by screen I've seen

 

... so my decision is obvious! I'll go for the...

 

 

 

 

 

... Revolution (I refuse to call it Wii). It's much cheaper, and the control looks so freakin' cool. I guess maybe I doesn't have what the PS3 has in graphics or sound, but the gameplay is wonderful. It's small, and you can play old Cube games. Shame there's no MGS4 or Final Fantasy.

 

EDIT: I thought you might be interested in this. As of this writing:

 

-Xbox 360: 7,262, 681 consoles sold.

-PlayStation 3: 272, 863 consoles sold.

-Revolution: 730, 072 consoles sold.

Edited November 22, 2006 by Lost-Fender

[Sixdust]

-It has Grand Theft Auto

-It looks so hot and beautiful to me, both the console and the graphics, judging by screen I've seen

 

 

EDIT: I thought you might be interested in this. As of this writing:

 

-Xbox 360: 7,262, 681 consoles sold.

-PlayStation 3: 272, 863 consoles sold.

-Revolution: 730, 072 consoles sold.

The xbox 360 also has this, and screenshots in no way are good ways to judge performance, trailers as well are trash, actually playing the console on a setup you own (tv, and sound system) will only then show you how things look like for real. Not some pre-rendered B.S.

 

And the consolewars site is inaccurate, its just a counter, there are no real numbers being used, and we dont know whether this is consoles sold to consumers, sold to consumers and actually used as a gaming machine, or units on the store shelves.

[Jordan]

I can't believe all of the people on here that want PS3's more than XBOX 360's or Wii's. After playing all three, I have to say that the gameplay in Wii just obliterates any chance of the PS3 or 360 getting first place.

 

The XBOX 360 has a ton of titles out now, and the only officially confirmed episodic content for GTA IV is for the 360. Also, it's cheaper than the PS3.

 

It just amazes me that so many people here are wanting PS3's more than the other two...