*** Playstation 4 CPU Equivalent? ***

[DrMrLordX]

Makes one wonder if a more souped up console would sell enough to be profitable. In fact, given all the segmentation that exists in the PC and mobile device markets, I am a bit surprised there isn't a higher performing console model being offered.

None of the console manufacturers currently want software segmentation for their console lineup. It has sort-of happened before (SegaCD, 32x, though those were add-ons so they don't quite count).

Bottom line is that the console companies want all software released for a particular console generation to potentially run on all consoles from that generation. All PS4-designated software must run on PS4s.

If you had a PS4 and then a PS4 deluxe, you'd create a situation in which developers might release software that would only run on the deluxe, and then where would you be? With a large installed base of PS4 "non-deluxe" users being unable to run (and therefore unwilling to buy) the enhanced software. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that the PS4 and Xbox One are being sold as loss-leaders, and that MS and Sony both rely on software sales for profit. So long as the major consoles are sold as loss-leaders, we should not expect much hardware segmentation beyond incremental upgrades (bigger harddrives or what have you).

It is theoretically possible that they could do console updates with higher clockspeeds, faster memory, and suchlike a few years into the generation in a bid to refresh their product lineup and reinvigorate interest in the brand. Whether or not the buying public would respond to such an effort is something I can not estimate with any degree of accuracy.

 

[crashtech]

Hmm, I didn't think it would be too hard to have two sets of preset resolution and detail levels, coming from the PC world I see a plethora of options on the game graphics options screen. For instance one preset could be 720p with normal detail locked to 30fps, and the other 1080p with ultra detail locked to 60fps, or variations on something like that. I think it's fairly obvious that the software would have to run on both hypothetical versions.

 

[Roland00Address]

Hmm, I didn't think it would be too hard to have two sets of preset resolution and detail levels, coming from the PC world I see a plethora of options on the game graphics options screen. For instance one preset could be 720p with normal detail locked to 30fps, and the other 1080p with ultra detail locked to 60fps, or variations on something like that. I think it's fairly obvious that the software would have to run on both hypothetical versions.

That is more of a gpu problem. A cpu problem would be how complicated the world is, how many variables, the ai etc. You can't really have the same game with two different complexities.

 

[crashtech]

That is more of a gpu problem. A cpu problem would be how complicated the world is, how many variables, the ai etc. You can't really have the same game with two different complexities.

Well, sure. I know this came up in the context of CPUs but I did not mean it to be limited to that. Sure it is mostly GPU, but there are variables within a given game that can be altered to somewhat change CPU load, like maximum numbers of particles/objects,draw distance, shadows, etc.

 

[DrMrLordX]

One could have multiple resolution/detail settings according to console version, but that potentially extends development time. Potentially. I understand that PC developers have to deal with such things on a regular basis. Would it be a big problem? Maybe, maybe not.

The fact remains that neither MS nor Sony (nor Nintendo, for that matter) have embraced any sort of console segmentation. They must have their reasons. Anything beyond that is speculation and guesswork.

 

[frozentundra123456]

^This here, sometimes it seems that this bit of information missing. With developers getting more and more familiar with next gen hardware and the fact that developers can code to the metal much more efficiently on consoles than on PC, the games will start to look better and better. As of right now ps4 games look insane. I can't imagine what games will look like later when developers get more familiar with the hardware. Just look at the last gen games. It'll be very difficult to be able to run any of those games with similar 360/ps3 specced out hardware on PC.

When we start getting (or getting ports) of xb1 and ps4 games over to the PC, I have a feeling some serious juice will be needed to run those games. Just look at some of the next-gen games, we are already seeing i7 requirements on these xb1/ps4 games. And these machines just came out.

I think some of this overhead might be alleviated when DX12 comes out. But honestly, even with dx12 I don't think it'll be possible to reach that level of "code to the metal" over to the PC.

Of course I'm no programmer, I can't even make a website so clearly I'm no expert and of course I could be wrong on anything i just mentioned.



I would really recommend something much higher than an i3. Infact go as fast as possible. If budget is a concern, then a board that supports i7s or later (bios updates) would really help later, so at least u have something to work with.

If consoles are so optimized, try running one with eyefinity or even at 1440p like you can with a high end PC. Granted, consoles are more efficient, but there is no magic involved that is going to suddenly make the hardware perform like a high end PC. We heard this hype before the consoles came out, but now they struggle to do 1080p in a lot of games, and xbox I am not sure even runs at native 1080p. And then there was the Watchdogs debacle where they had to disable some graphics options on the PC version so it would not humiliate the consoles in graphics quality.

Dont get me wrong, I think the hardware in the PS4 is a very good compromise, but it is just that, a compromise that shifts the resources from cpu to gpu because all it has to do is gaming. It was designed to be cheap, easy to package, and fit in a relatively low tdp. It does that, and delivers good performance for the money. But that is all it is.

As to the op's original question, it really seems pointless to ask. If there were a PC chip that exactly was the same as the consoles, it would be a terrible fit for a PC. If the question is what PC chip will give equivalent performance in gaming, I would say, as others, that an i3 with a gpu like an R9 280 and above or equivalent would do that.

 

[Aolish]

If consoles are so optimized, try running one with eyefinity or even at 1440p like you can with a high end PC. Granted, consoles are more efficient, but there is no magic involved that is going to suddenly make the hardware perform like a high end PC. We heard this hype before the consoles came out, but now they struggle to do 1080p in a lot of games, and xbox I am not sure even runs at native 1080p. And then there was the Watchdogs debacle where they had to disable some graphics options on the PC version so it would not humiliate the consoles in graphics quality.

Eyefinity and 2560x1440? Might not be possible, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they could do 1440p. But to be honest, as we both know they won't put the effort in as 2560x1440 is not a standard television res. I mean like I said before just look at some of todays last gen games. Assuming 1440p is a standard TV res, If they put that much amount of time trying to optimize their games to look like that on hardware that is 7 years old, why wouldn't it possible to do the same for 1440p? Granted, I think the ease of rendering games at that many pixels will also depend on the type of game it'll be. I'm guessing rendering a game like Uno or Angry Birds might be easier to render at 1440p compared to say an open world rpg.

Yeah I know what your thinking, you probably think I'm crazy right, 1440p? What is he thinking!? Of course I'm not an expert in computers and not a game developer so this entire post is based on opinion. lol

Dont get me wrong, I think the hardware in the PS4 is a very good compromise, but it is just that, a compromise that shifts the resources from cpu to gpu because all it has to do is gaming. It was designed to be cheap, easy to package, and fit in a relatively low tdp. It does that, and delivers good performance for the money. But that is all it is.

I think consoles are going to give better than good performance later on. Going by what happen last gen. I mean lets think about this for a second, the PS4 comes with something in the lines of a 7850-7870 right? That same GPU (again going by last years bare to the metal programming, if the same were to happen this gen) will be able to render games that might look so much better than what we see now. Take those same games and run it on a pc that has the equivalent spec at the same native res the ps4 is outputting. I don't think you'll see the same performance.

If the question is what PC chip will give equivalent performance in gaming, I would say, as others, that an i3 with a gpu like an R9 280 and above or equivalent would do that.

This will really depend on what settings he wants to run his games at. If he's going for ULTRA/Highest settings possible at 1080p, he's going to need something much higher than an i3. Maybe even a better GPU. Just look at some of the next-gen multi-platform games now. Couple of games recommended requirements are already at i5 to i7s.

Now if he doesn't mind playing at lower settings that setup MIGHT be fine. But honestly even with an i3 at low settings I think he's going to have a hard time keeping a steady frame rate. Todays next-gen games are so much larger. Were looking at much greater more detailed physics on the screen + rendering more character models on the screen at the same time. I think an i3 would struggle.

To the OP, I recommend looking at some of the system req for next gen games that are already out (or coming out soon) and you can make a call for yourself on which setup to get. If budget is a concern, at least make sure to get a board that already supports said chips + (if at all possible) faster chips that comes out later in the future through bios upgrades.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Eyefinity and 2560x1440? Might not be possible, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they could do 1440p. But to be honest, as we both know they won't put the effort in as 2560x1440 is not a standard television res. I mean like I said before just look at some of todays last gen games. Assuming 1440p is a standard TV res, If they put that much amount of time trying to optimize their games to look like that on hardware that is 7 years old, why wouldn't it possible to do the same for 1440p? Granted, I think the ease of rendering games at that many pixels will also depend on the type of game it'll be. I'm guessing rendering a game like Uno or Angry Birds might be easier to render at 1440p compared to say an open world rpg.

Yeah I know what your thinking, you probably think I'm crazy right, 1440p? What is he thinking!? Of course I'm not an expert in computers and not a game developer so this entire post is based on opinion. lol


I think consoles are going to give better than good performance later on. Going by what happen last gen. I mean lets think about this for a second, the PS4 comes with something in the lines of a 7850-7870 right? That same GPU (again going by last years bare to the metal programming, if the same were to happen this gen) will be able to render games that might look so much better than what we see now. Take those same games and run it on a pc that has the equivalent spec at the same native res the ps4 is outputting. I don't think you'll see the same performance.



This will really depend on what settings he wants to run his games at. If he's going for ULTRA/Highest settings possible at 1080p, he's going to need something much higher than an i3. Maybe even a better GPU. Just look at some of the next-gen multi-platform games now. Couple of games recommended requirements are already at i5 to i7s.

Now if he doesn't mind playing at lower settings that setup MIGHT be fine. But honestly even with an i3 at low settings I think he's going to have a hard time keeping a steady frame rate. Todays next-gen games are so much larger. Were looking at much greater more detailed physics on the screen + rendering more character models on the screen at the same time. I think an i3 would struggle.

To the OP, I recommend looking at some of the system req for next gen games that are already out (or coming out soon) and you can make a call for yourself on which setup to get. If budget is a concern, at least make sure to get a board that already supports said chips + (if at all possible) faster chips that comes out later in the future through bios upgrades.

I agree an i5 or i7 is a better choice for gaming than an i3. However, you are shifting the comparison by bringing up Ultra/highest settings at 1080p. I dont think any of the consoles run the newer games at quality even close to Ultra at 1080p.

 

[NTMBK]

I agree an i5 or i7 is a better choice for gaming than an i3. However, you are shifting the comparison by bringing up Ultra/highest settings at 1080p. I dont think any of the consoles run the newer games at quality even close to Ultra at 1080p.

I dunno. These next-gen games are seriously raising the bar for texture size and quality. (And download and install times ¬_¬ )

 

[Enigmoid]

I dunno. These next-gen games are seriously raising the bar for texture size and quality. (And download and install times ¬_¬ )

Uncompressed and unoptimized games are not raising the bar. Crysis 3 looks amazing with Ultra textures and easily fits in 2GB at 1080p.

I think consoles are going to give better than good performance later on. Going by what happen last gen. I mean lets think about this for a second, the PS4 comes with something in the lines of a 7850-7870 right? That same GPU (again going by last years bare to the metal programming, if the same were to happen this gen) will be able to render games that might look so much better than what we see now. Take those same games and run it on a pc that has the equivalent spec at the same native res the ps4 is outputting. I don't think you'll see the same performance.

For the CPU yes some optimization is possible but a lot of that will carry over to the PC if done correctly. The GPU runs very efficiently and you are unlikely to get a ton more power out of it. Sure consoles are using a simplified DX/OGL interface but that doesn't work miracles.