Time to find out. I apologize if this has been done before, but I've been wondering a lot about this lately. Quality of the library aside, what's the more powerful system, PS2 or Dreamcast? From what I've seen, they don't seem to be very far apart from each other. Both are 128-bit, both came out close to each other (we'll leave Gamecube and Xbox out, since those are the two most powerful consoles at this time).
Both from a technical standpoint, and from you're personal experiences, which do you think is the more powerful system?
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More powerful: PS2 or Dreamcast?
Started by King Atari, Sep 22 2003 2:22 PM
32 replies to this topic
#1 OFFLINE
King Atari
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:22 PM
#2 OFFLINE
liquid_sky
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:29 PM
search it.. i had a long article on how the dreamcast is more powerful but i dont have time to look for it again 
#3 OFFLINE
chrisbid
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 5:44 PM
there is no clear cut leader, they both have advantages and disadvantages.
#4 OFFLINE
CPUWIZ
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 5:53 PM
King Atari said:
Time to find out. I apologize if this has been done before, but I've been wondering a lot about this lately. Quality of the library aside, what's the more powerful system, PS2 or Dreamcast? From what I've seen, they don't seem to be very far apart from each other. Both are 128-bit, both came out close to each other (we'll leave Gamecube and Xbox out, since those are the two most powerful consoles at this time).
Both from a technical standpoint, and from you're personal experiences, which do you think is the more powerful system?
Both from a technical standpoint, and from you're personal experiences, which do you think is the more powerful system?
PS2, I know that for a fact. I am not going to type up a long winded explanation, it would be too much to explain. Take my word for it or let non-programmers try to explain to you why the DC is better than the PS2.
#5 OFFLINE
liquid_sky
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 5:59 PM
CPUWIZ said:
Take my word for it or let non-programmers try to explain to you
Hey i dont program consoles but i can make a mean motherfuckin qbasic program
#6 OFFLINE
chrisbid
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 6:01 PM
you can talk theory all you want, but play Crazy Taxi on the PS2 and on the Dreamcast and youll see that the PS2 is not always better than the Dreamcast
(and if it is a case of lazy/untalented programming as its rumored to be, that should be factored in anyway)
(and if it is a case of lazy/untalented programming as its rumored to be, that should be factored in anyway)
#7 OFFLINE
CPUWIZ
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 6:04 PM
Not theory, practice, Crazy Taxi is worse on the PS2 because it is a port and the original arcade machine is based on Naomi hardware (which is a Dreamcast).
#8 OFFLINE
Ze_ro
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 6:10 PM
I think the PS2 is more powerful, but significantly harder to program than the Dreamcast. This means that making games that push the system to the point where it exceeds the DC takes much better programming.
--Zero
--Zero
#9 OFFLINE
JB
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 6:25 PM
King Atari said:
Both are 128-bit, both came out close to each other (we'll leave Gamecube and Xbox out, since those are the two most powerful consoles at this time).
The version of the SH-4 it uses as it's CPU is a 64-bit chip.
If you look, Sega never calls it a 128-bit system. They just say it has 128-bit graphics(which is true, I suppose. The graphics chipset is 128-bit, evne if the rest of the system isn't).
...
Not that it matters, really.
The XBox is the most powerful of the current game systems, and it's only 32-bit. Bits are meaningless in terms of power.
I think the DC is probably the more powerful system of the 2.
Though the PS2 has more large #s to play with, the architecture has a few bottlenecks that serve to limit it, and the hardware's complexity makes it difficult to squeeze the max performance out of it.
#10 OFFLINE
jsoper
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 6:33 PM
These kinda questions really get hazy. GT4 is coming out soon and it's supposed to push the PS2 to the absolute maximum, but don't never if there was ever a DC game that punished the system that much.
And how did they make DC Soul Caliber look so good? It was almost a launch game.
And how did they make DC Soul Caliber look so good? It was almost a launch game.
#11 OFFLINE
JB
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 7:01 PM
jsoper said:
These kinda questions really get hazy. GT4 is coming out soon and it's supposed to push the PS2 to the absolute maximum,
Why do they always do that?
"We'll push the system as far as is possible! And then push it even farther 2 months later!111"
Quote
And how did they make DC Soul Caliber look so good? It was almost a launch game.
#12 OFFLINE
CPUWIZ
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 7:04 PM
jsoper said:
And how did they make DC Soul Caliber look so good? It was almost a launch game.
I know the development team of that title, they are friggin magicians, I went out to a celebration dinner with the entire team whilst staying in Japan. Believe it or not, they pulled this off in 9 months and the engine only pushes about 14000 polygons per frame (which is a joke these days). The magic in the look is the artwork and the killer game play.
#13 OFFLINE
Cafeman
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 7:29 PM
From observing both systems' games and reading over the years, it seems to me that Dreamcast has a sharper display & texture capability but the Ps2 has way more horsepower. Look at Sega's own football games on both systems -- Ps2 has more polygons for better faces & details. Look at VF4 , compare to any DC 3D fighter. Look at GT4 ! I'm no fan of Gran Tursismo but #4 looks ... incredibly photo-real.
I also believe PS2 has more power because of the published specs, the designs of both systems, and from more knowledgable people than myself like CPUWIZ who works for a major company & things these people have stated.
It was stated years ago that DC Soul Calibur pushed under a million polly's per second. Yet it looks fantastic to this day! That is one amazing game and an amazing effort IMHO. Great lighting too, not always the DC's strength.
Don't get me wrong though, I'm a biased and died in the wool Sega supporter and I love my DC to this day, and still don't own a PS2, but I still think its obvious PS2 is more powerful overall.
I also believe PS2 has more power because of the published specs, the designs of both systems, and from more knowledgable people than myself like CPUWIZ who works for a major company & things these people have stated.
It was stated years ago that DC Soul Calibur pushed under a million polly's per second. Yet it looks fantastic to this day! That is one amazing game and an amazing effort IMHO. Great lighting too, not always the DC's strength.
Don't get me wrong though, I'm a biased and died in the wool Sega supporter and I love my DC to this day, and still don't own a PS2, but I still think its obvious PS2 is more powerful overall.
#14 OFFLINE
Osbo
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 7:33 PM
from sega web site... 
The first console to venture into online gameplay, Dreamcast has a built-in 56K modem. With 128-bit processing, 3D audio capabilities and stellar 3D graphics, your gameplay experience just got better.
When you purchase Dreamcast, you receive the Dreamcast console, 56K modem, one standard Dreamcast Controller, Stereo A/V cable, power cable, ten-meter phone cable, Internet browser CD-ROM, game sampler CD-ROM, and instruction manual
Peak graphics performance of over three million polygons per second provided by the PowerVR 2DC graphics engine for the fastest, most sophisticated 3D graphics ever seen on a videogame console.
128-bit 3D processing power provides amazing lighting and other special effects.
Built-in 56kbps modem for the ultimate in multiplayer online gaming.
16 megabytes of memory for huge, complex game worlds.
64-voice CD-quality audio.
Four built-in controller ports for easy multi-player action.
Built-in high-speed expansion ports.
I think it's a shame nobody it's doing dreamcast games anymore, I think the DC has a lot to offer as a game console...
The first console to venture into online gameplay, Dreamcast has a built-in 56K modem. With 128-bit processing, 3D audio capabilities and stellar 3D graphics, your gameplay experience just got better.
When you purchase Dreamcast, you receive the Dreamcast console, 56K modem, one standard Dreamcast Controller, Stereo A/V cable, power cable, ten-meter phone cable, Internet browser CD-ROM, game sampler CD-ROM, and instruction manual
Peak graphics performance of over three million polygons per second provided by the PowerVR 2DC graphics engine for the fastest, most sophisticated 3D graphics ever seen on a videogame console.
128-bit 3D processing power provides amazing lighting and other special effects.
Built-in 56kbps modem for the ultimate in multiplayer online gaming.
16 megabytes of memory for huge, complex game worlds.
64-voice CD-quality audio.
Four built-in controller ports for easy multi-player action.
Built-in high-speed expansion ports.
I think it's a shame nobody it's doing dreamcast games anymore, I think the DC has a lot to offer as a game console...
#15 OFFLINE
Antneed
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:11 PM
[/quote]
I know the development team of that title, they are friggin magicians, I went out to a celebration dinner with the entire team whilst staying in Japan. Believe it or not, they pulled this off in 9 months and the engine only pushes about 14000 polygons per frame (which is a joke these days).
[/quote]
CPUWIZ, who do you work for?
Are you in the gaming business?
Just curious......
thanks
I know the development team of that title, they are friggin magicians, I went out to a celebration dinner with the entire team whilst staying in Japan. Believe it or not, they pulled this off in 9 months and the engine only pushes about 14000 polygons per frame (which is a joke these days).
[/quote]CPUWIZ, who do you work for?
Are you in the gaming business?
Just curious......
thanks
#16 OFFLINE
Markimus of K.
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Posted Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:59 PM
I don't know if I can add to this but I'll try... I've both a DCast (many) and a PS2, they both have many strengths.
I believe the DCast wins though, it is a moral decision. If you could only have one system, what would it be?
The funny part of this is that I personally wanted nothing to do with the DCast when it came out here in '99. I'd been a Sega fan for a long time (read owned every peice of hardware) and was not about to jump on the DCast bandwagon. For God's sake, It was White! Every other Sega sytem I had was very appropriatley Black. What the hell we're they thinking?
Were they trying to go for the Nintendo market with a bunch of gay colours? I couldn't stand it.
THEN, I rec'd the coolest X-Mas gift an old video game player could get. My Brother convinced my Mother and Aunt and himself to get a DCast for me that very X-mas. I was not expecting anything like that. Wow, a really cool X-mas gift for a change...
I've been impressed ever since by the DCast, It will go down in history as the most underated system ever. A week after I rec'd it, I was surfing the internet on it. How many other game systems can that be said for? We've been hearing promises of "keyboard" add-ons since the 2600 days. Well there it is for the DCast right away.
But I ramble. To sum up, I hated the entire concept of the DCast when it came out (typical Sega fan burned by the Saturn) and now think it is the best of the best. I' up to six including the Treamcast.)
I'm not too far off from completing my full North American release list, and will be happy enough to die like a man when I do!
Now as far as the PS2 goes, it's very good, you need to be selective in games and read the reviews. For the DCast, I need everything, For the PS2, just give me the good...
Markimus of K.
I believe the DCast wins though, it is a moral decision. If you could only have one system, what would it be?
The funny part of this is that I personally wanted nothing to do with the DCast when it came out here in '99. I'd been a Sega fan for a long time (read owned every peice of hardware) and was not about to jump on the DCast bandwagon. For God's sake, It was White! Every other Sega sytem I had was very appropriatley Black. What the hell we're they thinking?
Were they trying to go for the Nintendo market with a bunch of gay colours? I couldn't stand it.
THEN, I rec'd the coolest X-Mas gift an old video game player could get. My Brother convinced my Mother and Aunt and himself to get a DCast for me that very X-mas. I was not expecting anything like that. Wow, a really cool X-mas gift for a change...
I've been impressed ever since by the DCast, It will go down in history as the most underated system ever. A week after I rec'd it, I was surfing the internet on it. How many other game systems can that be said for? We've been hearing promises of "keyboard" add-ons since the 2600 days. Well there it is for the DCast right away.
But I ramble. To sum up, I hated the entire concept of the DCast when it came out (typical Sega fan burned by the Saturn) and now think it is the best of the best. I' up to six including the Treamcast.)
I'm not too far off from completing my full North American release list, and will be happy enough to die like a man when I do!
Now as far as the PS2 goes, it's very good, you need to be selective in games and read the reviews. For the DCast, I need everything, For the PS2, just give me the good...
Markimus of K.
#17 OFFLINE
Trooper
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Posted Tue Sep 23, 2003 4:12 AM
liquid_sky:
After reading the article you're reffering to I was wondering where, if anywhere, on the net I can find it? Who wrote it?
The reason I'm asking is that, as far as I can see, there should be some follow up to this one and I'd really like to read that as well.
Cheers!
Troop
After reading the article you're reffering to I was wondering where, if anywhere, on the net I can find it? Who wrote it?
The reason I'm asking is that, as far as I can see, there should be some follow up to this one and I'd really like to read that as well.
Cheers!
Troop
#18 OFFLINE
Happy_Dude
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Posted Tue Sep 23, 2003 4:47 AM
CPUWIZ said:
I know the development team of that title,
#19 OFFLINE
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Posted Tue Sep 23, 2003 5:29 AM
Osbo said:
[snip]
I think it's a shame nobody it's doing dreamcast games anymore, I think the DC has a lot to offer as a game console...
Actually, there are a couple new games coming out real soon. And there are always the homebrews which have been coming out steadily (Are there any PS2 homebrews out there?)
#20 OFFLINE
DeV0
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Posted Tue Sep 23, 2003 5:54 AM
More powerful: PS2 or Dreamcast?
A kid working at EB asked me this very same question to which my reply was. If you dont know you shouldnt be working here,,,,,,,,
A kid working at EB asked me this very same question to which my reply was. If you dont know you shouldnt be working here,,,,,,,,
#21 OFFLINE
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Posted Tue Sep 23, 2003 6:55 AM
Harry_Dodgson said:
Osbo said:
[snip]
I think it's a shame nobody it's doing dreamcast games anymore, I think the DC has a lot to offer as a game console...
Actually, there are a couple new games coming out real soon. And there are always the homebrews which have been coming out steadily (Are there any PS2 homebrews out there?)
Or Japanese Dating sims
(check out all the new DC games in my 2nd sig link
)PS/2 has Homebrews, but I think their in the same boat as X-box H-brews
using the official dev libraries. Making them illegal to sell (at least without paying for the dev kits)
#22 OFFLINE
JB
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Posted Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:48 AM
Osbo said:
from sega web site...
The first console to venture into online gameplay, Dreamcast has a built-in 56K modem. With 128-bit processing, 3D audio capabilities and stellar 3D graphics, your gameplay experience just got better.
...
The first console to venture into online gameplay, Dreamcast has a built-in 56K modem. With 128-bit processing, 3D audio capabilities and stellar 3D graphics, your gameplay experience just got better.
...
Y'd think if they were going to make blatantly wrong claims, they'd be on the box instead of tucked away on the website.
#23 OFFLINE
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Posted Tue Sep 23, 2003 11:28 AM
liquid_sky said:
search it.. i had a long article on how the dreamcast is more powerful but i dont have time to look for it again
xillent article that was - the DC is the far better system
#24 OFFLINE
joeybastard
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Posted Tue Sep 23, 2003 1:56 PM
PS2 maybe more powerful but IMHO, the DC still has far better games. when it comes down to it, I don't care which is more powerful, I care about the games, and that's why the VCS owns all.
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King Atari
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Posted Tue Sep 23, 2003 2:32 PM
Happy_Dude said:
Harry_Dodgson said:
Osbo said:
[snip]
I think it's a shame nobody it's doing dreamcast games anymore, I think the DC has a lot to offer as a game console...
Actually, there are a couple new games coming out real soon. And there are always the homebrews which have been coming out steadily (Are there any PS2 homebrews out there?)
I wonder, has Star Wars Trilogy been released for the DC (or any console)? I love that game, and the DC should be able to pull of an exceptional port.
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