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
user74029314253d ago

all you need to know

1080p> 720p

120 hz > 60hz

ps4 > one

Fanboyssuck274253d ago (Edited 4253d ago )

Correction.

Wii u > ps4 > xbone

CGI-Quality4253d ago

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

LOL_WUT4253d 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 owned4253d ago (Edited 4253d ago )

@Fanboyssuck27

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

ziggurcat4253d ago

"Wii u > ps4..."

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

nice try, but that's beyond delusional.

triforce794253d ago (Edited 4253d ago )

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

Dehnus4253d 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 ;).

UltimateMaster4253d ago

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

Magicite4253d ago

you need to check your head, mate

LaserEyeKitty4253d 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.

user55757084253d 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 4253d ago
0ut1awed4253d ago (Edited 4253d 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.

Sci0n4253d 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.

0ut1awed4253d ago (Edited 4253d 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.

Knal4253d 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?

mabreu4253d 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.

CrusRuss4253d 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 4253d ago
Visiblemarc4253d 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.

BlueShirt77494253d 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....

WorldGamer4253d 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.

BOLO4252d 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.

bornsinner4253d ago

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

GW2124253d ago

* better launch games.

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

AngelicIceDiamond4253d 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.

Biggest4253d ago

Fixed? Do you mean the next generation of consoles?

MRMagoo1234253d 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.

AngelicIceDiamond4253d ago

@Magoo

Yeah that's not even close to being right.

linkenski4253d ago

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

H0RSE4253d ago (Edited 4253d 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.

Mitchblue4253d ago (Edited 4253d 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.

H0RSE4253d ago (Edited 4253d 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.

GentlemenRUs4253d ago (Edited 4253d 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

mabreu4253d ago (Edited 4253d 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.

MRMagoo1234253d 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 4253d ago
sovietsoldier4253d ago

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

fonger084253d ago

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

True_Samurai4253d ago

Hahah no thanks
I'll take that x1

oof464253d ago

Your own preference > Anyone else's opinion

+ Show (12) more repliesLast reply 4252d ago
mewhy324253d 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?

Knightshade4253d 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.

oof464253d ago

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

buckley4253d ago

Spin? Did you read the article?

lnvisibleMan4253d ago

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

SpinalRemains1384253d 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?

mightyhokie4253d 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.

MrCastle4253d 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.

RegorL4253d 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.

WeedyOne4253d 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.

Prime1574253d ago (Edited 4253d 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 4253d ago
halfblackcanadian4253d 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.

aquamala4253d ago (Edited 4253d 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.

Prime1574253d 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...

H0RSE4253d ago (Edited 4253d 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.

miklo844253d 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."

davidrobots4253d 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.

cyguration4253d ago

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

Show all comments (120)
240°

‘I think Xbox hardware is dead’, says Microsoft gaming veteran

One of the founding members of the Xbox team has questioned Microsoft’s multiplatform gaming strategy, and said they believe the Xbox hardware business is effectively “dead"

Read Full Story >>
videogameschronicle.com
1d 6h ago Replies(3)
Goodguy011d 4h ago

Think that rumor that they'll still make a new console but at a profit at $1000 will be true though. The series consoles will remain their cheap alternative throughout next gen I would say. Keep in mind that game pass and pretty much going 3rd party is their main focus. They want to bring xbox everywhere.

1d 4h ago
GamerRN8h ago

If they don't maintain some kind of console presence, I think they will lose gamepass subscribers and just become a 3rd party publisher who eventually sells everything off

Cacabunga7h ago

Xbox games are releasing on all platforms. Who needs this hardware? PS or PC is all you need

Flewid6385h ago

I've never owned an Xbox in my life and I have GamePass.

thorstein4h ago

The only Xbox I owned was the 360. I have gamepass for my PC.

crazyCoconuts6h ago

Even if they could get it down to $800 for a box that can run with comparable performance to a PS6 (at, say $200 cheaper) the population of people willing to buy such a thing would be so limited.
It would be the worst of both worlds.

1d 2h ago
Futureshark17h ago

A slow, painful and public death too.

Show all comments (61)
190°

While Layoffs Hit the Industry, Nintendo Retains 98% of Staff Including 78 With Disabilities

TNS: Based on its most recent ESG data, Nintendo boasts a remarkably low staff turnover rate of just 1.9%, with virtually no reported layoffs.

Read Full Story >>
thenerdstash.com
Jin_Sakai2d ago

Because Nintendo makes great games.

Yesyes1d 4h ago

It’s unreal that people are downvoting this when they consistently have the best scoring games on metacritic.

2d ago
rlow11d 23h ago

Well it doesn’t surprise me. As much money as they make and how they value their employees. It’s a great company in that regard.

1d 22h ago Replies(1)
drivxr1d 20h ago

Well, when your games remain full price many years after release.

And you make profit off of outdated hardware.

I would be shocked if they couldn't afford to retain their staff.

lodossrage1d 17h ago (Edited 1d 17h ago )

I didn't want to say anything but drivxr is right.

Nintendo always sells at a profit because they purposely use tech that's always 5 or more years behind. And it's also true their games hardly ever get price decreases.

Don't get me wrong, it's great they kept most of their workforce, but making a point to have your tech specs behind everyone else affords that luxury.

Darkegg1d 15h ago

I don’t think it’s their purpose to use old tech. It’s their purpose to make value of software and know their value. Nobody makes games like them that’s for sure. I just don’t appreciate their customer unfriendly policy.

It’s not impossible to take their status. Companies need to have a selection of 8-bit and 16-bit. Now imagine a split screen for 8 player game for SNES Mario kart and selling at $9.99. The problem is that it doesn’t make profit. So many companies won’t invest in “old” technology. Everyone guns for triple AAA modern technology software but honestly we can enjoy modernized 16-bit creative ideas that allows 8-player mayhem. It’s a pipe dream, possible but impossible.

Shane Kim1d 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h ago )

If they ended up kicking people out after all of that stated above, it would be truly shameful.

DivineHand1251d 11h ago

Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Tesla and Meta are all trillion dollar companies yet they are laying people off in large numbers.

I believe the reason Nintendo layoffs off less workers may be a result of their culture. It seems Japanese companies believe in giving their workers long term or life long employment opportunities and will exhaust all options before laying off workers. This is something we don't see much of in the west unfortunately.

Rdeal1d 5h ago

might be something to do with the fact all those companies hire more than 20x the employees than Nintendo

LoveSpuds1d 11h ago (Edited 1d 11h ago )

What the hell are you talking about? It has nothing to do with how profitable they are. Its completely cultural, MS and Sony make stacks of cash and still lay folks off. Nintendo chose not to lay off staff for the same reason their execs took pay cuts to increase staff pay instead; because they value their staff and view them as colleagues, and respect them as such.

If Sony weren't so US centric I fancy they'd fare better too, they should get shot of US and European leadership and go back to when Japanese execs were running the show if you ask me!

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 5h ago
Show all comments (20)
300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

Read Full Story >>
gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj1d 13h ago (Edited 1d 13h ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent751d 10h ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils1d 2h ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

3d ago Replies(1)
isarai3d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning773d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher2d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor2d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde2d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z1d 18h ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey861d 13h ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

2d ago Replies(2)
Show all comments (63)