PlayStation 5 vs. Xbox Series X: Which Next-Gen Console is Better?
O n June 11, Sony announced more details about their next-generation gaming console, the PlayStation 5. Compared to the PlayStation 4, this new model significantly faster and is equipped with more advanced technology. With details of the hardware of both the PS5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X announced, we can compare them to see which one is better from a hardware perspective.
Console and Controller Design
The PlayStation 5 is a console that can be positioned horizontally or vertically, preferably the latter, and comes in a white and black color configuration with small blue light strips. It will have a vast array of ports, including USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, an NVMe SSD slot for expandable storage, and a port for power. The PS5 comes in two models: one with a 4K Blu-ray drive and one that is purely digital, meaning that you will not be able to use physical game discs. The new DualSense controller uses the same color scheme as the console and now charges via USB-C. This new controller will make the gaming experience more immersive with haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a more modern and ergonomic design.
The Xbox Series X is shaped like a desktop tower and is not as slim as the PS5. It has an all-black chassis with a 4K Blu-ray drive, HDMI 2.1 ports, USB-A ports, and Xbox’s new Xbox Series X Expansion Card slot, which will allow users to purchase Xbox Series X Expansion Cards and add 1TB of fast SSD storage to the console. The new Xbox Wireless Controller will enhance users’ gaming experience with a textured grip and new D-pad.
Internal Hardware
The PlayStation 5 will now contain new AMD hardware, with an eight-core AMD Zen 2 CPU and an AMD RDNA 2 GPU designed specifically for this console. This GPU is more powerful than any other PlayStation GPU, with over 10 teraflops of power and variable GPU and CPU frequencies. This CPU allows for 8K HDR graphics, 4K graphics at a 120 Hz refresh rate, and three-dimensional audio. It will contain 16GB of new GDDR6 memory and a new, ultra-fast 825GB SSD custom-built for the PS5, able to download games at 5.5GB per second. It will also be capable of feature ray tracing. It will also have support for an external hard drive to play PS4 games.
Microsoft clearly spent a lot of time designing the internal structure of the Xbox Series X, as every component is carefully placed to fit in the black chassis. The Series X is more powerful than the PS5, with an 8 core AMD Zen 2 CPU that allows for 12 teraflops of power and an AMD RDNA 2 GPU, so although both consoles have the same CPU and GPU, Microsoft is managing power more efficiently to provide maximum power output. The Xbox’s RAM and processor are faster than those of the PS5, but the difference is probably minuscule. This console will also have Direct X ray-tracing, variable rate-shading, 8K HDR capabilities, and up to 120 frames per second. The Xbox Series X will also have 16GB of GDDR6 memory. The Series X contains three air-flow channels, a parallel cooling structure for maximum efficiency and heat management, a split motherboard, a heat sink chassis that keeps the internals cooled, a vapor chamber, and a large fan to keep everything cooled.
Accessories
Along with the PS5, Sony announced a plethora of new accessories to go along with it. The new DualSense Charging Station allows for the simultaneous charging of two DualSense controllers. The new PULSE 3D wireless gaming headset will offer 3D audio and will contain a dual microphone setup, allowing for clearer voice quality and audio. Sony’s new media remote will allow for easier control of the console media, and their new HD camera will allow for 1080p streaming with a dual-camera setup.
Microsoft has not announced any new accessories with the Series X, so any and all accessories compatible with the Xbox One will be compatible with the Series X.
These two new consoles will usher in a new generation of gaming, with significantly faster download speeds and frame rates, higher quality gameplay, and more advanced technology allowing for better cooling and an enhanced gaming experience. Which console to purchase is a decision that should be based solely on preference and opinion, but both consoles will provide a great gaming experience. Both the Xbox Series X and the PS5 are scheduled to be announced during the holiday season this year, and I am sure that they will be selling like crazy.
