Console GPU's?

[Dreaded_Cheese]

I have been wondering for a while now what is the desktop GPU equivalent of the latest gen of console? This is because I am fed up of having to agree with my friends when they say that the graphics of 'insert random game title here' is way better than the graphics my pc can achieve, allbeit that my GPU is a pathetic x1650 pro (I cringe when I hear it) from a CHEAP upgrade.
However I am in the market for a new pc, having just got a job, and I would like to know how much more powerful the GPU I buy would be in comparrison, so when my friends start up this conversation again I can go 'NO, SHUT UP, MY NEW PC IS ____ MORE POWERFUL THAN YOUR WEAKLING OF AN XBOX 360/PS3!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gerard]

Pretty old actually, ps3 is a downclocked 7800gtx and the 360 is a version of the r520 with edram onboard.

 

[TheGamingGeneral]

I think there based on the X1900 and 7800 cards.

 

[smogsy]

PS3 7800GTX
XBox - x1800xtx - x1900
Wii - Intergreated anyone?

 

[Dr_Fartypants]

As above, the PS3 is somewhere between the GF7 and GF8 generations, whereas the xbox360 GPU is a somewhat cut-down version of the x1800 architecture.

If you go for a current generation card, like say an ATI 4850, that should be at least a factor of 3 or 4 times faster than any console.

 

[Dreaded_Cheese]

REALLY? that old? seems strange that they can achieve better graphics. Why would this be, better coded games?

 

[Gerard]

REALLY? that old? seems strange that they can achieve better graphics. Why would this be, better coded games?

Not hard to do good graphics when you're developing for a platform with fixed hardware specs, they know exactly how far they can push it. Pc they have to accomadate lesser specced machines.

 

[Dr_Fartypants]

REALLY? that old? seems strange that they can achieve better graphics. Why would this be, better coded games?

A single, specific architecture to code for means you always know exactly what the capabilities of your hardware are. This allows the code to be better optimised for the specifics of the hardware.

Also, PC games tend to be played at higher resolutions (say 1680*1080 or 1920*1200).

 

[Dreaded_Cheese]

Excellent! With this information I will be able to CRUSH them

 

[rjk]

a console lifespan is roughly 5 year average
a pc graphics card is out of date in 3 months max
so even if they release ps4 now with gtx280 capabilities it would be terrible in 5 years time

i wouldnt worry about it too much

just be safe in the knowledge that a pc outperforms consoles... end of the matter
its not like your mates are going to crossfire two xbox 360s are they

 

[mdjmcnally]

A single, specific architecture to code for means you always know exactly what the capabilities of your hardware are. This allows the code to be better optimised for the specifics of the hardware.

Also, PC games tend to be played at higher resolutions (say 1680*1080 or 1920*1200).

With the latest console games then many people (everyone I know) is playing at 1920 x 1080p on HDTV. However when coding for a console you do know exactly what the spec of an xBox360/PS3 is in terms of CPU/GPU, as such you can code just for that spec.

A pc game has to run the whole gamut of someone with a skt 939 AGP card to a Quad Core Crossfire/SLI Graphics system. As such they cannot take advantage of the newer 4870/GTX2x0 cards as would make unplayable on the older PC's, whereas knowing exactly what you have there means that can code to take advantage of the features on the consoles.

With regarding lifespan I believe Sony were talking about a 10 year lifespan for the PS3, who knows what we will have in PC's by then.

 

[titaniumx3]

I think the PS3 gpu is similiar to the Geforce 7800 cards, with separate vertex/pixel shader architecture. The xbox 360 is sort of halfway between the X1900 cards and HD2900 cards since it has approximately the same power as a X1950pro, but has a unified shader architecture and features resembling "DirectX 9.5".

 

[helmutcheese]

There is many DUPE threads to this already and each thread end up a console v PC Flame War (Please use search).

Console are far behind GPU wise.

They are all DX9C at a hardware level, you do not get DX9.5 period.

 

[chaosophy]

With the latest console games then many people (everyone I know) is playing at 1920 x 1080p on HDTV.

I don't think there are many native 1080p games, most are 720p and there are a few that aren't even that. I think Halo 3 was around the 600 mark, which is basically not much more that progressive PAL.

 

[thesimplesimon]

I don't think there are many native 1080p games, most are 720p and there are a few that aren't even that. I think Halo 3 was around the 600 mark, which is basically not much more that progressive PAL.

Yep thats true. No console games play in native 1080p (some do menus in 1080p) they're not powerful enough. Almost all games are native 720p (some a little higher) and then scaled up to 1080p which makes you think your playing in 1080p,which never looks as nice.

 

[TheVoice]

I've got a PS3 and although the graphics are certainly impressive, I still think my PC does better. Consoles seem to lack decent AA and the resolution isn't all that great.

 

[Lightnix]

I'd say whilst my 360's graphics are lovely, if I really wanted some eyecandy I'd use my PC. The console's good for more relaxed 'slumped on the couch' gaming than anything else (which is my favourite ).