Playstation 5 vs Xbox Series X in-depth comparison: features, games, price, release date and design
Despite the many insane incidents that have followed us throughout 2020, the main event in the gaming industry is still in force - in a few months the next generation consoles will be released: Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X. Coronavirus coronavirus, and Next-Gen set-top boxes are scheduled. Given the imminent start of sales of consoles, we decided to make a detailed comparison of Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X in terms of key parameters, including games, performance, design and backward compatibility. Let's try to analyze the main advantages and disadvantages of both platforms in order to determine which console is worth buying this year. Playstation 5 vs Xbox Series X Comparison: Specifications and PerformanceAs expected, the new generation will be marked by another graphical leap in games due to the improved technical stuffing of consoles. At the same time, unlike the launch of the Playstation 4 and Xbox One generation, the official representatives of the platforms promise to please users of next-gen devices not only with realistic graphics or high-resolution support (this time up to 8K), but also by raising the frame rate in most games. The head of the Xbox gaming division Phil Spencer said at the beginning of the year that in the new generation of Microsoft they rely not only on a high-quality picture, but also on improved feelings during the game, which is expressed in the desire of the platform holder to set an average FPS bar around 60, and if possible, even raise to 120 FPS. As proof of his words, you can recall the confirmed 120 FPS on Xbox Series X in Halo Infinite multiplayer. Sony Playstation 5 representatives put less emphasis on frame rates in the marketing company, but try to keep up with the competition, at least in the multi-platform. For example, Dirt 5 car simulator is confirmed to support 120 FPS on consoles from Sony and Microsoft.  You can see a visual comparison of the technical characteristics of the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X in the image below. Despite a number of differences, each console received an eight-core processor based on the Zen2 architecture and a graphics card of the RDNA2 generation. In other words, both consoles can boast of today's top-end hardware, which favorably distinguishes them against the background of Playstation 4 and Xbox One, which, even at the time of release in 2013, were not impressive in performance thanks to the use of an outdated processor based on Jaguar architecture.  Each of the new generation consoles will be able to boast of the presence of an SSD drive, hardware support for Ray tracing technology, as well as launching games at resolutions up to 8K and 120 frames per second. It should be noted that, according to the presented specifications, the Xbox Series X may be more powerful than the competitor due to a more productive video card with 12 teraflops versus 10.28 for Playstation 5. It seems that the winner in the technology race is obvious, but one should not draw unambiguous conclusions, at least until comparative tests multiplatform games on PS5 and Xbox SeX. Despite the less productive GPU, the technological base of the new console from Sony has a number of unique solutions. Also, do not forget about the information from several reputable insiders, who pretty much threw coal into the furnace of console wars and showed both consoles not in their best form. For example, the well-known industrial insider Dusk Golem stated that due to the complex architecture of the PS5, the developers of Resident Evil 8 are faced with problems when trying to optimize the game for the Sony console, which is why the game at this stage works much worse on it than on the Xbox. Series X. Quite the opposite information was reported by Crytek employee Ali Salehi, complaining about the technological complexity of the Xbox Series X, which makes it difficult to force the GPU to work at a maximum power of 12 tf.
In addition to supporting new graphics technologies, Sony has integrated the Tempest Engine into the next-generation set-top box, which should raise the bar for sound quality in games to a new level. According to the Japanese media giant, the engine is capable of processing hundreds of audio sources simultaneously, so the difference between PS4 and PS5 in sound can be heard even when using the built-in TV speakers. By the way, developers can use the powers reserved for the Tempest Engine to process any other game processes, such as graphics or AI. Of course, do not forget about the main technical achievement of the PS5 - an 800GB SSD with a peak data transfer rate of up to 9GB / s. At the very least, the presence of an SSD in next-generation consoles will help to significantly reduce loads between tiers, and at the maximum, the new hard drive format can change the approach to game design in games.  The capabilities of the SSD in PS5 can be seen on the example of almost instant teleportation in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. And also when comparing New York City travel speeds in Marvel's Spider-Man on consoles of different generations. The new Xbox also has an SSD, albeit half as efficient (peak data transfer rate - 4.8 GB / s), but with a larger capacity - 1 terabyte. See the benefits of the new solid state drive in Xbox Series X with the unique Quick Resume feature, which lets you play multiple games and switch between games with virtually no lag. The difference in games between Xbox One and Xbox Series X when using an SSD is clearly visible in the example of the download speed in State of Decay 2. Playstation 5 vs Xbox Series X: Games ComparisonIf you are interested not so much in the power of devices as in games that can be played on next-generation consoles, then every platform holder has already presented a line of exclusive projects. Let's immediately make a reservation about the exclusivity policy, the concept of which is somewhat different for Microsoft and Sony. Classic exclusives, that is, available only within the same platform, will remain only on Playstation 5. These include ^
If you are interested in these games, then in order to play them you will have to buy a Playstation 5. However, Sony has already released several of its once exclusive projects on the PC, so we will not rule out the possibility of the appearance of computer ports of the above games.  Microsoft continues to go its own way and for the past 4 years has adhered to the ecosystem policy, releasing games from its own studios simultaneously on PC and Xbox consoles. After the release of Xbox Series X, the publisher is not going to leave the intended course and will significantly strengthen the game lineup with projects from recently acquired developer studios. In total, there are 14 internal Microsoft studios, which are united under the general name Xbox Game Studious. Among the most notable projects coming exclusively to PC and Xbox Series X, we note:
 In addition to its own games, Microsoft is trying to reach an audience by negotiating exclusivity with third-party developers. These games include The Medium, STALKER 2 and Twelve Minutes. True, it is not entirely clear whether we are talking about temporary or permanent ecosystem exclusives. We will not be somewhat surprised if Stalker 2 will eventually be released on PS5. Sony is following a similar policy, buying Playstation 5 and PC exclusivity from a number of games including Stray, Deathlopp, Bugsnax and Kena. The only problem with numerous games from Xbox Game Studious is that judging by the large number of CGI videos, the almost complete absence of screenshots and a number of insiders, most projects from Microsoft are still far from even an approximate release date. In other situations, games for Playstation 5: Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales are released simultaneously with the next generation console, Demon's Souls received an age rating in South Korea, which means the game is one step away from release and, finally, the developers Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart confirmed the release of the platformer in the same release window with the start of the console. Three projects developed for Next-Gen by Sony in 2020 against one from Microsoft in the face of the horror The Medium, and even that was developed by a third-party studio.  The conclusion is simple: if in 2020 you want to play as many games sharpened exclusively for the new generation of games, then you should buy a Playstation 5. However, we must not forget about the main advantage of the Xbox platform - Game Pass, which allows you to subscribe for $ 10 per month on release to play all releases from Xbox Game Studious, as well as a number of third-party projects like The Medium and STALKER 2. Playstation 5 vs Xbox Series X Comparison: Backward CompatibilityWe got to the point where the next generation console from Microsoft looks like the undisputed leader. On Series X, you can not only play almost every release on the Xbox One, but also games from previous generations. Microsoft has so far confirmed support for over 600 games from the Xbox 360 and the original Xbox on the new console. At the same time, most projects will receive a number of graphical improvements (higher resolution and HDR) and double the frame rate: from 60 to 120 FPS, depending on the game. The perfect offer for anyone who doesn't mind sometimes returning to the cult classic of game dev. Backward compatibility on PS 5 is also present, but has much more meager features. Compatibility with Playstation 4 projects is in stock and more than 4000 games have already been tested to work with the next generation console. True, support for games from previous generations of Playstation has not yet been confirmed, but Sony's registration of the patent of the same name suggests that as a result, Sony's Next-Gen console coming out in 2020 will acquire full backward compatibility with PS3, PS2 and PS1. Playstation 5 vs. Xbox Series X: Gamepad and Console DesignReplacing the Dualshock 4, the Dualsense gamepad is one of the main features of the console, with which Sony hopes to expand the level of immersion in games. In addition to the obvious change from the classic color palette to a mixture of black and white colors and the abandonment of colored buttons, the controller has become slightly larger than the Dualshock 4 and has acquired several technological innovations. All the functions of the previous generation gamepad are preserved, except that the lightbar has become significantly smaller. New features include a microphone, improved vibration and adaptive triggers. It's hard to say how often developers will actually use Dualsense adaptive triggers, but the way they are used in the first wave of Playstation 5 games sounds at least amusing. For example, in Deathloop, triggers will be blocked for pressing if the weapon is jammed, and in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, the degree of trigger pull affects how the weapon is used.  Unlike Sony, Microsoft decided not to resort to significant changes to the gamepad, providing mainly ergonomic changes in the new generation controller. The gamepad is still running on batteries, has become a little smaller, received an updated D-Pad panel and acquired a Share button, which allows you to shoot and upload content filmed by the player to the network. Note also that if you wish, you can use a controller from the previous version of the console in all games on Xbox Series X, when games developed for Playstation 5 only work with Dualsense. Despite the challenging design of both consoles, it is dictated primarily by the need to strike a balance between a powerful cooling system and quiet operation of the device, even in busy scenes. We do not undertake to assess which console has the best design, the opinion will turn out too subjective, but about the PS5 we will add a couple of points: the console turned out to be truly gigantic and, it seems, the side panels will be allowed to replace and customize the colors of the console.  Playstation 5 vs Xbox Series X Comparison: Release Date & PriceDespite the costs caused by the coronavirus, we have no doubt that Next-Gene consoles will be released in 2020. When exactly? According to an insider IronManPS5 - November 20, the holiday week before Thanksgiving. The release date for the Xbox Series X will also take place in November, which was confirmed by Microsoft CFO Amy Hood. The official cost of the Playstation 5 Xbox Series X is currently in question. Considering the powerful technical stuffing in both devices, we lean towards the $ 499 price tag. Our assumptions are confirmed by numerous insiders, including informants from the technical site MyDrivers, according to which the price of the Playstation 5 will stop at $ 499, when the digital version without a drive will ask for $ 399. The cost of the Xbox Series X, according to the data of former IGN editor Alana Pearce, is $ 599, which is somewhat at odds with the words of Phil Spencer that this time the Xbox will not lag behind in the price category and will not repeat the history of the Xbox One, for which asked for $ 100 more than the PS4. Therefore, we are leaning towards the same market value for the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X at release, even if platform owners will have to sell consoles at a loss at first.  Given the volatile exchange rate, it is difficult to predict the cost of new generation consoles in USA. However, given the margin of retail stores and the planned shortage of the first revision of devices, it will be possible to buy a Playstation 5 in USA at a price tag of 50 to 60 thousand, unless a sudden financial miracle happens to the USA economy and the official price tag stops at $ 500-600. The same applies to the cost of the Xbox Series X in the USA Federation. We also note one more unpleasant financial news: a number of publishers began to increase the cost of games on the next generation consoles. For the same Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War they ask for $ 69.99, which is equal to 4949 rubles for the PS5 version and 5250 rubles for the XSX version. Playstation 5 vs. Xbox Series X?We will not decide to answer the question in the affirmative, at least until the price of both devices of the new generation is announced and independent tests of the performance of consoles in multiplatform games appear. Provided that the indicators are relatively equal, we recommend that you make a purchase decision based on the console's game library. Also note an important difference between Microsoft's and Sony's approach to next-gen set-top boxes: when the first to promote the Xbox Series X as part of the ecosystem, Sony positioned the PS5 as a unique gaming device with its own games and technologies: innovations in the gamepad and the Tempest Engine. As such, there are no significant functional differences between PC and the new Xbox, so if you want to cover as many games as possible, then it might be worth buying a PS5 and upgrading your computer's hardware. See also the top 10 most important games of the 21st century. The Topic of Article: Playstation 5 vs Xbox Series X in-depth comparison: features, games, price, release date and design. |
