32 replies to this topic

[holygrailvideogames.com]

More powerful: PS2
More Fun: Dreamcast
Best newer system: Xbox

[eric_ruck]

I can't resist...it's my understanding that in terms of raw numbers the PS2 is far superior. The problem comes in the way the PS2's subsystems are hooked together, as well as the limited memory available to some of those subsystems. While the PS2 may benchmark x% better on any given test, it would basically be impossible to push that performance in an actual game. Also certain aspects of the PS2 are very difficult to use.

I programmed the PS2 and can vouch for some of its limitations. Had tons of trouble with the limited memory on the IOP (although we also found some interesting tricks around it). Never programmed a Dreamcast, though.

Eric

[Gunstar]

JB said:

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.  
...

Fine.
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.

It IS written right on the box, I'm looking at it RIGHT NOW. but as far as what "bit" it is, as usual that's an obscure thing and most people are wrong about it.Some People claim the X-box to be 128-bit and some 32-bit, the FACTS are that it has a 32-bit bus and 128-bit Nvidia graphics chip.
The DC has 128-bit graphics chip, I'm not sure of it bus bandwidth though, maybe 64-bit, maybe 128-bit. This areguement goes all the way back to the Jaguar, which by the way IS 64-bit with a 64-bit bus, memory and two fo the processor are 64-bit with 64-bit addresses, it just happens to have a couple 32-bit and one 16-bit co-processors thrown in too...but as stated earlier in this thread and a MILLION times before, bitness doesn't matter, it's only one thing that is factered into many when judging a systems power. I've heard the Gamecube is 64-bit too.

[chrisbid]

it even goes further back, the Turbo Graphx 16 had an 8-bit CPU and another 8-bit processor, that they marketed as 8+8 = 16

hell, the Intelliivision was a 16 bit console

[JB]

Gunstar said:

JB said:

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.  
...

Fine.
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.

It IS written right on the box, I'm looking at it RIGHT NOW.

My box just said it had "128-bit graphics".
It was also a later DC.

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but as far as what "bit" it is, as usual that's an obscure thing and most people are wrong about it.

Yah.

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Some People claim the X-box to be 128-bit and some 32-bit, the FACTS are that it has a 32-bit bus and 128-bit Nvidia graphics chip.

I've heard the VCS referred to as a 1-bit, 2-bit, or 4-bit system before.
I've also gotten into arguments with people over the XBox's capabilities, with them telling me it has a 128-bit CPU because some editorial they saw online called it a 128-bit machine.

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The DC has 128-bit graphics chip, I'm not sure of it bus bandwidth though, maybe 64-bit, maybe 128-bit.

I looked hte specs up before, and the SH4 it uses as a CPU has a 32- or 64-bit bus, depending on model. The DC used hte 64-bit version.

And if I recall, in a single-processor setup like the DC, CPU bus generally dictates system bus.

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This areguement goes all the way back to the Jaguar, which by the way IS 64-bit with a 64-bit bus, memory and two fo the processor are 64-bit with 64-bit addresses, it just happens to have a couple 32-bit and one 16-bit co-processors thrown in too...

And the NeoGeo(24 bit because 16+8=24) and the TG16(8+8 as wel as a 16-bit GPU).

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but as stated earlier in this thread and a MILLION times before, bitness doesn't matter, it's only one thing that is factered into many when judging a systems power.

Very true.

Quote

I've heard the Gamecube is 64-bit too.

Yup. By most counts the Gecko's 64-bit mode is one of the features IBM carried over into their next "true" PowerPC chip. All the previous PPCs are 32-bit.

[Gunstar]

My DC box is the European PAL box; it says exactly the same thing as what was quoted above.

[MegaManFan]

My two cents: PS2 is quieter, sleeker, and backwards compatible to the tune of 99.4% of PS1 games. All are huge plusses in my book.

On the other hand...

To the lay person, Dreamcast graphics look just as good as PS2 graphics, and in some cases better. Either DC programmers were really outstanding or PS2 programmers were really lazy, but even early DC titles let alone late ones can blow quite a bit of PS2 software out of the water. Plus it comes internet ready (no big deal now but it was then) and with four ports built in. PS2's two only annoys me a lot since you have to buy a special adapter for party games, but DC is "party ready."

[RCmodeler]

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

Is that the same article that claimed "Ecco the Dolphin could never be ported to the PS2" because the game is too advanced to PS2 hardware?!?!? Funny, my copy of Ecco runs on the PS2 just great.

Anyway, when I look at Gran Turismo 3 & Kingdom Hearts, it's obvious to me that the PS2 is more advanced. It's graphics are just smoother thanks to more polygons pushed.