330°

720p? 1080p? ESRAM? Why it matters and why it doesn’t

Gaming Trend Editor Ron Burke writes an in-depth piece on resolutions, their differences, the math behind them, and how all of it comes together to mean almost nothing.

Read Full Story >>
gamingtrend.com
user74029313822d ago

all you need to know

1080p> 720p

120 hz > 60hz

ps4 > one

Fanboyssuck273822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

Correction.

Wii u > ps4 > xbone

CGI-Quality3822d ago

Unless you're talking personal game experience, the technology in a WiiU is NOT greater than the PS4.

LOL_WUT3822d ago

Even the X1 has more appealing next-gen titles than the WiiU! And yes resolution, specs all matter if it didn't devs wouldn't pass up on Nintendo. ;)

u got owned3822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

@Fanboyssuck27

Oh boy, you will be at one bubble in no time if you keep that up.

ziggurcat3822d ago

"Wii u > ps4..."

http://25.media.tumblr.com/...

nice try, but that's beyond delusional.

triforce793822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

Mariokart8,X,ProjectCARS,and titanfall have the best nextgen textures ive seen so far...

Dehnus3822d ago

Sir, you get a bubble for being so truthful. Everybody knows this fact yet they keep denying it. The facts look them straight in the face! Why do these fanboys keep denying it.

Why, we can already play games on it, while they can only compare spec sheets. SO by definition it is better ;).

In 2 weeks that might change a bit though ;).

UltimateMaster3822d ago

@Fanboyssuck27
You're a brave one.
Here's you Mario kitty VS COD Dog.
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Magicite3822d ago

you need to check your head, mate

LaserEyeKitty3821d ago

LOL at all the morons who just got trolled. You figure the name would give it away.

But, if you can't beat'em - PC Specs trump all.

user55757083821d ago

it doesnt matter because once youre focused on gameplay graphics tend of become an afterthough

however it does matter because before you play the game you want to know you're buying the best possible experience. so it def matters for sales. why pay $100 more for a technologically inferior product that outputs inferior resolution. on paper it doesn't make sense

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 3821d ago
0ut1awed3822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

I really doubt 120hz is going to matter for a PS4 other than maybe smoothing it out a little bit. 60fps seems to be the sweet spot for the system so you really don't need anything over 60hz.

Also FYI pretty much every TV that is "120hz" or "240hz" is actually not true. For all intensive purposes it is basically "upscaled" so to speak. None of those TVs actually allow for more than a 60fps input.

You need a computer monitor with a display port or DVI-D input to actually get anything over 60fps.

Sci0n3822d ago

This is true, as I was tv shopping I was really considering getting a tv with like 240hz for gaming mainly. I spoke with a best buy TV sales person and told him why I was searching for a 240hz tv and he kindly said are you going to be gaming from a pc rig or a console? and when I told him a console he said well I don't think any console games are rendering over 60fps so you really don't need a insane amount of hz at the moment 60hz is enough. I am now waiting for 4k TVs before I upgrade.

0ut1awed3822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

I guess it's his job but if you would have said PC gaming I know for a fact he would have tried to sell you one of those 120hz/240hz TVs (otherwise he wouldn't have even asked that question). Kind of messed up because as I already stated those TVs don't actually support higher FPS inputs. HDMI just doesn't have enough throughput to support it.

Knal3822d ago

@Outlawed...

The latest versions of the HDMI standard does not allow through put for more than 60fps? You have proof of this? Could you support that with some links?

mabreu3822d ago

@ 0ut1awed

according to Wikipedia, hdmi can output 1080p @ 120hz after version 1.4b which was released back in October 2011.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

However, I'm not sure if the PS4 or Xbox1 can support it. I assume they can but don't see any evidence on the web.

CrusRuss3821d ago

You guys are confusing TV refresh rate (hz) with fps. If you read the article it explains the difference.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3821d ago
Visiblemarc3822d ago

It really is basically that simple. I'm tired of how the articles about how "resolutiongate" being "overblown" have become more exhausting than the relevant genre that are articles about "resolutiongate" (those that compare price/performance)

If you don't like price/performance articles, take your ignorant opinions and go find a hobby that caters to morons.

BlueShirt77493822d ago

With a name like that you need to get over yourself and get out more. Do you work for Sony? No? Then those figures are certainly not "all you need to know."

Simple mind....

WorldGamer3822d ago

You didn't really provide any evidence. You basically personally attacked him, then trailed off.

I think what he says is correct, and many other reputable forums also agree. I don't see why would would get so upset.

BOLO3821d ago

No one needs to work for Sony or Microsoft to know the facts...PS4 is a more technically capable console compared to Xbox One and Wii U. Try again.

bornsinner3822d ago

xbox one has dedicated servers a better online experience and better games, ps4 has killzone & losers who count pixels all day

GW2123822d ago

* better launch games.

* PS4 has Killzone, better graphics, better hardware, and losers who count pixels all day because they are actually there.

AngelicIceDiamond3822d ago

"720p? 1080p? ESRAM? Why it matters and why it doesn’t"

It matters now. But when everything gets fixed, we'll move on to the next thing and forget about it.

Biggest3822d ago

Fixed? Do you mean the next generation of consoles?

MRMagoo1233821d ago

If you know anything about tech you will know the xbone is only going to get worse as much needs to be put on the ESram in the future to keep up with the PS4, the lower gpu and the ESram will make it impossible in a couple years, gpgpu will be the xbone downfall.

AngelicIceDiamond3821d ago

@Magoo

Yeah that's not even close to being right.

linkenski3822d ago

720p @60fps > 1080p @30fps, though

H0RSE3822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

I agree. I'll take 60fps and lower resolution over the opposite. Hell, in competitive PC gaming, it's pretty common (or at least was) for players to disable a lot of visual features, to obtain the best framerates possible. When I played competitively, that is what is what I did. It was also used to gain advantages, like disabling lightning do eliminate dark spots/shadows for players to hide in.

Mitchblue3822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

@linkenski: Not a fair assessment. You cut the FPS in half with your illustration but don't double the resolution.

Fairer would be 720p @60fps vs 1080p @45fps.

H0RSE3822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

The assessment is completely fair, since it's using standard measurements for comparison. Resolution has known increments - 360, 480, 720, 1080, etc. Framerates also follow a similar philosophy. 24fps for film, 30 or 60fps for games, and then you can unlock the framerate (like PC) and obtain whatever your system can handle. Although devs can aim for virtual any framerate they desire, 30 and/or 60 tends to be the "sweet spot."

So it isn't about actually halving everything equally, but rather comparing the different increments. That being said, I would still prefer 720p/60fps over 1080p/45fps.

GentlemenRUs3822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

Killzone runs at 1080p@60fps
So does Knack? I forgot.
Resogun does.
New'n'Tasty does.

Your statement is invalid.

1080p@60fps > 720p@15fps

mabreu3821d ago (Edited 3821d ago )

@ linkenski
I agree that frame rate is more important than resolution. It helps with response times when playing competitive games while making the animation run smooth.

However, this is relative to what type of game you're playing. 30fps is acceptable and suitable for games that don't have fast moving images and don't require fast response times. Also, less frame rates gives more graphical power to render other visuals like textures and lighting effects.

When I play Bioshock on my PC, I always favored more fps. When I played Civilization 5, I put the graphic setting on high and don't mind sacrificing frame rates.

MRMagoo1233821d ago

shame xbone isnt getting 720p @60fps tho huh , its barely getting 720 @30fps and even then that dips on DR3, and even on COD ghosts its 720p with frame drops.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3821d ago
sovietsoldier3822d ago

how did i know the first comment would mention a ps4 and at the same time slam xbox one.

fonger083822d ago

Yeah unless you have a blind pro-Sony comment, don't bother.

True_Samurai3822d ago

Hahah no thanks
I'll take that x1

oof463822d ago

Your own preference > Anyone else's opinion

+ Show (12) more repliesLast reply 3821d ago
mewhy323822d ago

Wow. more spin. It does matter, it does matter. I wonder if the spinners think that if they said that it doesn't matter enough time that people will start believing it?

Knightshade3822d ago

It matters if you want to choose the right platform that meets your setup, but it matters little in terms of overall image quality. It's not spin. There is plenty of math and knowledge in the article to back it up.

oof463822d ago

Apparently, a lot of people disagree with math and knowledge. :)

buckley3822d ago

Spin? Did you read the article?

lnvisibleMan3822d ago

Of course it does. Unless your gaming on a tiny screen smaller than an Ipad.

SpinalRemains1383822d ago

It matters. A new generation, you want a new standard. You pay 500 bucks for a new machine, you would want it to run contemporary settings. Why is this just not understood by some?

mightyhokie3822d ago

I'm getting the x1 but I agree. We should expect a lot better graphics and all that stuff for our money. I'm willing to let them work out the kinks. In a year you won't be able to tell the difference between x1 and ps4 visually. look at oblivion vs skyrim. and the ps3 had some major issues at launch. not to mention the 'far more powerful ps3 will give you much better graphics' that didn't come true. both systems are going to be awesome. but just like the issue with frame rate drop on the ps4 at 1080p...those issues will be done rather quickly as game developers get more used to the hardware.

But I do agree that when I spend that $500 i am expecting better looking stuff moving faster and offering more.

MrCastle3822d ago

@Hokie
I am getting an XB1 on launch day as well, and I've decided to reserve judgement until these games actually come out. Everyone has their opinion of what looks good. A number is just a number to me. If it looks as good as it plays, its a winner.

RegorL3822d ago

I wouldn't bet on XBox One ever catching up, but you do - good luck to you!

A. PS3 had a more difficult architecture
B. worse GPU
C. better CPU+SPU.
The difficult architecture made initial games worse.
The SPU let it catch up.
But XBox 360s better GPU kept the playing field equal.

A. XBox One has a more difficult architecture
B. worse GPU
C. most likely worse CPU+GPGPU than PS4.
The architecture should not be that cumbersome as it resembles XBox 360s a lot - how to utilize that is known. But the eSRAM is only slightly faster than the PS4 RDRAM. Even with perfect (100%) utilization of it XBox ones memory bandwidth will only be slightly better than PS4, the likeliness of perfect utilization will decrease with bigger graphical environments...

XBox One has a cool camera, if game developers really find ways to use that it could sell systems, like the Wii motes sold Wiis.

WeedyOne3821d ago

"not to mention the 'far more powerful ps3 will give you much better graphics' that didn't come true"

This statement is only true for multiplatform games. Ps3 exclusives had WAY better graphics than anything on the 360. Killzone, God of War, and The Last of Us say hi!

The cell was completely different than anything any developer had ever worked on, so I understand the learning curve with that. But the XB1 and PS4 both use x86 which has been used for decades. You wouldn't think that would have the same steep learning curve.

Prime1573821d ago (Edited 3821d ago )

@Hokie: "I'm willing to let them work out the kinks. In a year you won't be able to tell the difference between x1 and ps4 visually." /@

Look, you used oblivion vs skyrim, and I'm laughing because bethesda never figured out the ps3. I'm not defending the ps3, but I think that was a lot different than ESRam is to Cell. However, I'm going to quote the article in mention to help explain my skepticism (I cut out a lot so it's not a lengthy read as I assume you already read it or can find it).

"Sony put 8GB of GDDR5... 176GB/s of memory bandwidth ... Microsoft went a different direction, putting 8GB of DDR3 memory that hits a bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, but also features a memory subsystem of 32 MB of ESRAM... at a theoretical speed of 192 GB/s. "

The way I see it is that the GDDR5 @ 176 is easy to use. The DDR3 RAM @ 68 is easy to use. That being said, Devs have find a way to CRAM 124 GB/s (the difference) throughput through a TINY 32mb of ESRam.

OK, so, I'm just disagreeing that we'll see the differences that soon - ESPECIALLY IN MULTIPLAT which are usually the same. I'm highly skeptical of if we will see that by the time the next next gen comes out (PS5 vs XBOXall(?))...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3821d ago
halfblackcanadian3822d ago

PS3 ran some early games sub-HD as well...look how it turned out for them.

Resolution, in the end, is one aspect. There is a lot more that this next gen is expected to (and will) do that the current/last cannot achieve. Yeas, PS4 will always have the edge in raw computational power but people are seriously taking this as Xbox One cannot produce 1080p (which, beyond being proven wrong by launch titles, is ludicrous considering that last gen machines can do it and these are exponentially more powerful)

Argue that one machine is more powerful than the other, that's fine, but to assume that one is last gen (when they share so much of the same DNA to boot) is being ignorant.

aquamala3822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

did you think only early PS3 games are sub-HD? all COD games on PS3 are sub-HD (960x540, 880x720),

Saints Row 4 is sub-HD (960x720), Splinter Cell Blacklist is sub-HD (1152x648), both games came out just couple of months ago.

Prime1573821d ago

What is sub-HD to you? A good guide is 720p, but some might argue that 480p was the start of HD. If it's 720p, then a lot of ps3 AND 360 games were sub-HD. If it's 480p then a lot of 360 AND PS3 games were sub-HD. Do you see what I did there?

Current (soon to be last gen) games had a very similar native resolution than the new Gen. Here's a quick find of early launch games: http://www.rage3d.com/board...

Keep in mind that as resolutions get higher and higher (See also: 4k tvs are out) the more we'll notice the difference. The fact that we're entering this generation with such differences (104 million is and will always be better than 46 million) as this article quotes, makes me wonder if that ESRam can really boost it to 2.26x of what the XBone is now...

H0RSE3822d ago (Edited 3822d ago )

@SpinalRemains138

It is understood by more than you think, it just isn't emphasized because it isn't as big a deal as many claim. So many people are focusing on resolution, that even something as substantial as framerates seems to take a backseat.

The new consoles are offering a enough new features, that without even getting into resolution, they justify their price tag. Battlefield will have 564 player support, and be running at 60fps. Many if not all MP games will utilizing dedicated servers, many games will be able to interact with other devices, such as phones, tablets and PC's. Cloud computing is being utilized for things such as AI processing and real-time stats, to a degree never achieved on consoles, with more potential to come. DVR features are being implemented, other PC-centric features, such as being able to play a game while it's downloading, are being introduced.

Real-time snapping between multiple apps, TV integration, an HDMI-input that can be used with virtually any device witha HDMI-out port, including a 360 and even a PS4. A completely redesigned Kinect, built from the ground up to act as an extension to the X1, rather than an optional peripheral released years after the launch of the console, which was the case with Kinect 1.0.

With all these new features and ideas taking place, my $500 spent on an X1, is more than justified, even if every game I ever play is only 720p.

miklo843822d ago

Good read. Best part, "Your conclusion should be this – buy the games you want to play and stop worrying so much about the platform. The debate will rage on, but in the end it is and will always be about gameplay. Both systems will have their ups and downs, Microsoft and Sony fans will lash out at one another, Nintendo will do their own thing, and the PC crowd will lord their 4K resolution over the top of all of them."

davidrobots3822d ago

Yep. In time I'm sure we'll see more and more games hitting that magical 1080p/60fps mark, and this will all be a moot point anyway.

cyguration3822d ago

Except when one system hits that "magical mark" and one doesn't, will it still be a moot point?

Show all comments (120)
210°

Xbox Is Not Your Friend

After laying off almost 2,000 people, Xbox finds itself in a position at odds with the community-first image it has cultivated for itself.

Read Full Story >>
kotaku.com.au
TwoPicklesGood4h ago

lol I’m not a big MS gamer but Sony and a number of others have laid off ton of people as well. Where are the ridiculous articles about them not being your friend? Gaming news is such a joke and these sites wonder why they have to beg for money/patreons or flood with 5x more ads.

Profchaos3h ago

I think the sentiment is corporations are there to make money they are not out friends that are harsh and cutthroat when lt comes to the bottom line so why do we proclaim our love for any gaming company from the rooftops when they wouldn't care about us unless we are buying the next thing.

We need to beore objective with how we view these "teams"

Gridknac2h ago

This is the absolute truth. The only part of you these companies, ALL companies, want to be friends with is your bank account. They don't care what they have to say, who's job they have to cut, or what shady underhandedness they must engage in. Bottom line is all that matters.

Vits1h ago

Because people unfortunately make these companies and products part of their own persona, so when they are scrutinized, they see it as an attack on themselves. There is some neuropsychological research around this phenomenon, but it basically has the same effect as religion. It helps foster a sense of community that humans need to feel comfortable. So that is not happening unless we have a sudden surge of people actually understanding how they work and taking control of themselves.

Magatsuhi1h ago

While it's true Sony isn't a friend either, let's not pretend that they're even in the same ballpark as MS's anti consumer practices. Sony is not a friend but atleast they're not an enemy like MS.

derek2h ago

@twopickles, were you not paying attention? Sony was heavily criticized when they laid off people weeks ago, more than Microsoft did with their massive abk layoffs.

Gamingsince19811h ago

I want to know who thought Xbox was community first anyway lmfao

ChasterMies55m ago

That’s Whataboutism. Sony and other game companies didn’t pay more than $80B to buy up publishers. Microsoft said in court that it wasn’t going to have redundancies and fire people. Microsoft told Xbox owners that they would have a AAA on GamePass each quarter. But here we are with Microsoft Game Studios shrinking. Consolidation doesn’t benefit the consumer, and no company has consolidated more than Microsoft.

BehindTheRows51m ago(Edited 50m ago)

Exactly. They love their SonyToo instead of looking at everything in its totality. You spend $80B to buy up so many pubs/devs, you damn well should have something to show for it.

That said, this article is old and someone is clearly looking for clicks!

z2g20m ago

I’m glad you see the thru the reality distortion field so many on this site don’t. My brother-in-law was just let go from PlayStation (here in PV/LA) literally just weeks ago after taking the job just 2 months before. He quite his previous job that was doing just fine to work for Sony.

Christopher11m ago

I agree that every corporation is part of the problem, but bit perhaps in the future have more of an argument than a whatsboutism? It makes it sound like your only issue is that people are complaining about Microsoft.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11m ago
cthulhucultist2h ago

ok here is a reality check. Tech companies have been firing thousands of employees the last couple of years.

I find it odd that the percentage of employees sacked from MS

QUOTE
"Microsoft announced approximately 1,900 job cuts across its gaming division, including Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax, and Xbox. 8.6% of its colossal 22,000-strong global workforce. "

is worth writing an article condemning the company, when Sony Interactive fired 8% of its workforce (900 people approximately).

https://news.crunchbase.com...

Is the writer concerned about the percentage of the workforce fired or the number of employees?

Lets not forget that Unity laid off 25 percent of its workforce (1800 people) and Discord laid off 17 percent of its employees.

You also have to take into account the AI issue reported in the article. MS is heavily invested in A.I. They have invested in Open A.I (chatgpt 4+Dalle 3), in Abu Dhabi’s G42 and in French AI company Mistral.

These LLMs have already replaced thousands of jobs as A.I usage becomes more common

https://www.cbsnews.com/new...
https://www.theverge.com/20...
https://tech.co/news/compan...

This is the new reality. Even nvidia CEO said that games will fully A.I generated.

https://www.pcgamer.com/sof...

Nevertheless, no company should be ever viewed as "your friend". MS had numerous anti consumer practices in place and the same is true for Sony (not only in video game space) and Nintendo (60$ dollar games without permanent discounts, remasters of 10 year old game with full price, no console price cuts, expensive joy cons which are prone to drift, to name but a few).

Popsicle2h ago

Must be. Thought it to be common knowledge that no corporation is your friend.

thesoftware7308m ago

Hahaha, I was thinking the same thing.

Silly nonsense that applies to all companies. Do people really think these companies care about them? we are consumers, and they track us by $$$, not our character, personality, family, or this over-inflated console war.

rippermcrip2h ago

Xbox had a community-first image? Since when?

shaenoide2h ago

Any given company is not "friendly"...

Show all comments (28)
270°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere15h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN12h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos10h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN3h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo5h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies1h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion14h ago(Edited 14h ago)

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger12h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Profchaos14h ago(Edited 14h ago)

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto14h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos14h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long11h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel13h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos11h ago(Edited 11h ago)

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator12h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

Show all comments (18)
80°

Nintendo's Massacre Of The 3DS And Wii U Is Finally Complete, Regrettably

Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."