subject: Ps3 Versus Xbox: Where Do Your Loyalties Lie? [print this page] Gamers tend to be split into two warring camps the PS3 fans and the Xbox 360 fans. Each fiercely protective of their choice of gaming console, and convinced that theirs is better than the other.
If youre thinking of buying a new games console then it can be difficult to know which side you want to join in the battle of the consoles. Dixons stocks both consoles, together with a wide range of games and accessories to accompany them, but how to choose? Its a difficult task, but whichever you go for make sure that you get it at the best price with a Dixons Discount Code from www.5hop5.co.uk.
Lets Get Technical:
The Central Processing Unit
Both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 have a 3.2 GHz Processor, but that is where the similarities end and the PS3 leaves the Xbox 360 for dust. The PS3s seven single threaded cores (plus back up) beat the Xboxs three dual threaded cores, and the PS3 has nearly three times the performance capacity as its rival (measured in GFlops).
The Graphic Processing Unit
When it comes to graphics its a close call between the two consoles. Both rely on custom designed graphics cards, and the specs are quite difficult to accurately compare. While the Xbox 360 features more video RAM at first glance, this RAM is shared with the consoles system RAM. In other words, it has a total memory for the whole console.
The PS3 on the other hand has dedicated video RAM, and is also able to share additional memory from the system RAM.
The RAM
The RAM is basically the term for the console's memory, and as explained above the two consoles have slightly different ways of working when it comes to this. While the Xbox shared its RAM across the system and the graphics, Playstation prefers to keep things separate.
The RAM for the PS3 is also several times faster and more efficient than its rival, boasting a speed of 3.2 GHz compared to Xboxs 700 MHz.
The Hard Drive
The hard drive statistics for the PS3 depend on which version of the console you choose to purchase. You have a choice between 160 or 320 GB. The standard Xbox model comes with 250 GB, which lies part way between the two.
One great advantage of the PS3 over the Xbox 360 however is that it can be upgraded with a standard higher capacity hard drive, whereas with the Xbox youre tied into using the Microsoft upgrade if you want to pimp your console.
When you compare the technicalities the Playstation 3 comes through as a clear winner. However, in terms of design the Xbox 360 is a far sexier looking piece of kit. Both consoles also feature online services which for the Xbox are charged but slickly executed. The Playstation Network on the other hand is free, but can be unreliable. So which is the lesser of two evils there will depend on your view point. Many people would rather pay for a premium service, whereas for some, the cost is off putting.
One clear advantage to the PS3 however is the addition of a Blu-ray DVD player, absent in the Xbox 360. And this Blu-ray player is more than an after-thought. It is rated as one of CNETs top Blu-ray players overall (expert tech review website).
With modern TVs now being HD ready, consumers are demanding crisper, clearer images when viewing. An integrated Blu-ray player is a great benefit to the Playstation 3, and gives it the edge when it comes to value for money.
In terms of games, less and less developers are giving exclusivity to a particular console. Therefore, it is likely that new releases will be available for both.
So to sum up, while the Xbox has the edge design wise, in terms of whats inside the Playstation 3 clearly out performs it. Add to that the integrated Blu ray player and a free online network and it also arguably represents the best value for money.
Overall, the general consensus among the technology and gaming industry is that the Playstation 3 just has the edge when it comes to the battle of the games consoles. Despite this it will still be impossible to convince an Xbox 360 gamer that their console is not the number one, just as youll never convince a PS3 gamer that an Xbox 360 is worth considering.
If youre buying a console then you want to make the right decision based on your needs, rather than be swayed by a consoles biased fan base. You will also want to get the best possible price on your new console, which you can do by heading to 5hop5.co.uk for a Dixons promo code before you buy. After all, the more you save on the console, the more you have to spend on games.
