PS3 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

[vladittude0583]

I remember back in the day when PS3 development was still in its infancy, there was plenty of talk about how powerful its RSX Graphics Processing Unit and I am sure to this day this case still stands. However, with the recent introduction of powerful PC GPUs such as nVidia's 8800GTX Ultra, 8800 GTS - just exactly how well does the PS3's GPU compare to these monsters? Thanks.

[actionhank]

Not very well. The top of the line nvidia's have at least 768MB memory, the RSX only has 256.

But that has always been the case when it comes to PC vs console gaming. They have more power, but are also more expensive, way more.

[Teazle]

On the other hand, in the PS3 some graphics stuff is supposed to run on the Cell ... not that it always does of course (cf. crappy Xbox ports).

[xtop]

supposed to be better than 2 6800 ultra's. whether or not it actually is, i can't say.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by actionhank

Not very well. The top of the line nvidia's have at least 768MB memory, the RSX only has 256.

But that has always been the case when it comes to PC vs console gaming. They have more power, but are also more expensive, way more.

but you have to also take in consideration that pc uses its memory for everything else, like the os and a hole bunch other stuff, where as consoles, developers can use any anount any time they want to, and not every person that has a pc has a ati or nvidia graphics card, so programers wont try most of the time to max all its power out. this is where consoles always come ahead compared to pc, its one box,developers dont have to worry about some people not having this much memory or this kind of graphics card, every box is the same.

[LynxFX]

It's a modified 7900 GT with 256mb of ram. You can make all your comparisons to that and be pretty close.

A friend of mine, cofounder of 3dfx, helped design the chip.

Anyway, consoles always fall behind PC technology quickly after they launched. Just part of the biz. However, console game designers have a lot more time to exploit the power of such cards.

[actionhank]

Originally Posted by saprano

but you have to also take in consideration that pc uses its memory for everything else, like the os and a hole bunch other stuff, where as consoles, developers can use any anount any time they want to, and not every person that has a pc has a ati or nvidia graphics card, so programers wont try most of the time to max all its power out. this is where consoles always come ahead compared to pc, its one box,developers dont have to worry about some people not having this much memory or this kind of graphics card, every box is the same.

Well yeah you're right.

But i don't think the OP meant it as a "PC gaming vs console gaming thread". I understood the question as more of a head to head stress test type.

[jorg]

Originally Posted by xtop

supposed to be better than 2 6800 ultra's. whether or not it actually is, i can't say.

it is the chip is more powerfull then two 6800 ultras

[Shin-Ra]

Developers focused on PS3 development know how and what to offload onto the Cell processor for graphics rendering. Particle effects, vector, mesh, physics calculations and more which are usually handled by the GPU.

[xtop]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

Developers focused on PS3 development know how and what to offload onto the Cell processor for graphics rendering. Particle effects, vector, mesh, physics calculations and more which are usually handled by the GPU.

what the hell are you talking about

[Shin-Ra]

Cell + RSX working together make very pretty graphics.

[xtop]

well yeah. i was just wondering what that had to do with the op's question haha

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by xtop

well yeah. i was just wondering what that had to do with the op's question haha

That he was asking the wrong one.