Comparison of Graphic Potential Between PS5 and Xbox Series X - Ultimate Guide

Ambar Jimenez

2023-01-17 18:14:29

The age-old question of whether should you choose Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 remains unresolved. Some love the hardware from Microsoft, while others cannot imagine life without the Sony Entertainment console. Today, we look at the issue from the perspective of the graphical capabilities of both latest-generation consoles. Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 - which console would appeal more to gamers who appreciate good graphics? Which allows for a better visual experience? Let's find out together.

Xbox Series X or PS5?

The debate about which console is better, Xbox Series X or PS5, is fierce. Both sides have their rationale, just as both consoles have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we shall start our discussion with the general technical specifications of both hardware.

PlayStation 5 – technical specifications

The PlayStation 5 was unveiled on 12 November 2020 as the next generation of this console, which, compared to the previous version, features better performance, graphics, and a completely new design. PS consoles are known for their good performance and great capabilities. Below are the technical specifications of the PlayStation 5:

processor - AMD Zen 2 3.5 GHz, 8 cores / 16 threads;
graphics card - AMD RDNA 2 - 2.23 GHz, 36 processing units;
processing power - 10.28 TFLOPS;
RAM - 16 GB GDDR6;
SSD - 825 GB;
storage expansion - NVME SSD slot;
optical drive - 4K UHD Blu-ray;
dimensions - 390 × 260 × 104 mm;
weight - 4.5 kg.

Xbox X Series – technical specifications

Gaming consoles undergo constant refinement, so each successive generation features better technical specifications than the previous version. The Xbox X Series is a high-tech device with quite a bit of processing power. Here are its features and key benefits:

processor - AMD Zen 2 (7 nm) 3.8 GHz, 8 cores/16 threads;
graphics card - AMD RDNA 2 - 1.825 GHz, 52 compute units;
processing power - 12 TFLOPS;
RAM - 16 GB GDDR6;
SSD - 1000 GB;
data storage expansion - 1000 GB memory card;
optical drive - 4K UHD Blu-ray;
dimensions - 301 × 151 × 151 mm;
weight - 4.45 kg.

Predesigned Xbox Series X controller vs. predesigned PS5 controller

When it comes to controllers, Microsoft has gone for the safe option. The predesigned Xbox Series X controller is almost identical to the Xbox One model. The only differentiators of the predesigned Xbox Series X controller compared to its predecessor are the use of textured grips and buttons on the arms, an improved D-pad, and a new 'share' button in the middle.
And how does the predesigned PS5 controller perform? The Predesigned PS5 controller is a big departure from the DualShock 4. The latest model has a two-tone color scheme and much larger grips, extremely sensitive haptics, and a built-in microphone. Nevertheless, both do not meet all gamers' expectations. That is why more and more people are reaching for the personalized Xbox Series X controller to gain an edge over their opponents. The same is true for Sony consoles - if you want something extra, you need to buy a personalized PS5 controller.

Comparison of Graphic Potential Between PS5 and Xbox Series X

Below, you have a breakdown of the specifications of both consoles, with the most important indicators highlighted in terms of graphics capabilities.

	PS5	Xbox Series X
Price	500 USD – PS5); $400 – PS5 Digital Edition	500 USD
Backwards Compatibility	Almost all PS4 games, including optimized PS4 Pro titles	All Xbox One games / Select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games
CPU	8-core 3.5 GHz AMD Zen 2	8-core 3.5 GHz AMD Zen 2
GPU	10.3 teraflop AMD RDNA 2	12.0 teraflop AMD RDNA 2
RAM	16 GB GDDR6	16 GB GDDR6
Storage	825 GB custom SSD	1 TB custom NVMe SSD
Resolution	Up to 8K	Up to 8K
Frame Rate	Up to 120 fps	Up to 120 fps
Optical Disc Drive	4K UHD Blu-ray (Standard PS5 only)	4K UHD Blu-ray

As you can see, the RAM inside both latest-generation consoles is similar at 16 GB GDDR6. Both also feature RDNA 2 graphics, but the Xbox Series X has a slight edge as its GPU has 12 TFLOPS of power in 52 CU's. In comparison, the PS5 has 10.3 TFLOPS of power in 36 CU's. This means that developers can potentially squeeze more out of the X Series than they can out of the PS5 - this has worked out great for some multi-platform games, with the Xbox X Series sometimes offering higher resolutions than the PS5. However, it's worth bearing in mind that the capabilities of both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are similar, and you won't feel the difference unless you have a screen or TV that supports the technology.

Xbox Series X vs. PlayStation 5 – graphics comparison results

There is no denying that in the graphics race between Sony and Microsoft, for the moment the latter wins slightly. The Xbox Series X console offers better graphics capabilities, but these parameters are not so different as to definitely say that one is inferior to the other. In fact, they both give you very similar capabilities provided you have the right screen for gaming. If not, you're unlikely to notice the difference.

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