Xbox2 has less graphics-memory bandwidth than Playstation2 ????

[MS Will Destroy Sony Computer Entertainment]

this is an attempt to make a comparison between the graphics memory
bandwidth of the now old Playstation2 which was developed in the mid-to-late
1990s, and the forthcoming Xbox2 which has been developed over the last 3 or
so years, thus, obviously is much newer than the Playstation2.

It is a comparison of the bandwidth of the embedded memory / on-chip memory
/ memory that is built into the graphics chips of these two consoles, and
*not* a comparison of main system memory bandwidth, where Xbox2 is naturally
much higher as expected.

Playstation2's graphics chip: 'Graphics Synthesizer' - 4 MB eDRAM.
bandwidth: approx
*48 GigaBytes* per second.

source: don't need one. the PS2 spec is widely known, for years. you can
find it everywhere

Xenon/Xbox 2 graphics chip: ATI R500 or R500 derivative - reported 10 MB
EDRAM
bandwidth: reported *32 GigaBytes* per second.

source: http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EplZAyukEVDWcUicJE.php
http://www.xboxlivenation.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=183&Itemid=117

my initial question is, why would Xbox 2's graphics chip have *lower* eDRAM
memory bandwidth than Playstation2's Graphics Synthesizer?

maybe there is more too it than just simply the number. maybe various
conditions are different. maybe the 48GB/sec in PS2's GS is less achivable
than the 32GB/sec in Xbox2's R500 ??

 

[Andrew Ryan Chang]

It is a comparison of the bandwidth of the embedded memory / on-chip memory
/ memory that is built into the graphics chips of these two consoles, and
*not* a comparison of main system memory bandwidth, where Xbox2 is naturally
much higher as expected.

my initial question is, why would Xbox 2's graphics chip have *lower* eDRAM
memory bandwidth than Playstation2's Graphics Synthesizer?

The fact that every modern console save one has texture
compression might indicate why bandwidth requirements are lower for
similar results.


Also, quit spamming newsgroups that aren't related, Cygnus.

followups moved to rec.games.video.advocacy .