Tech Experts Reveal Why Some Games Run Better on PS5 Despite Xbox Series X Being More Powerful
It’s commonly known that the Microsoft Xbox Series X is the most powerful gaming console ever made. So why do some games perform better on the Sony PlayStation 5? This is a question that has been answered by technology experts at Digital Foundry.
The Power Struggle
Both Microsoft and Sony launched their next-generation consoles in November 2020. While the less powerful Xbox Series S struggles with performance, the Xbox Series X is a powerhouse, boasting 12 teraflops of GPU performance compared to the PS5’s 10.28 teraflops. Microsoft aimed to avoid repeating the last generation’s narrative, where the Xbox One lagged behind the PlayStation 4 in multiplatform game performance. This led them to aggressively market the Xbox Series X as the “world’s most powerful console.”
Performance Surprises
However, as we approach the fourth anniversary of these consoles, has the power difference translated into a clear advantage for Xbox Series X in the games we play? It turns out, some games run better on the PS5, despite its supposed lower power.
According to Digital Foundry’s conversations with game developers, the PS5’s more efficient GPU compiler, lower-level APIs, and higher clock speeds enable it to match or even outperform the Xbox Series X in certain scenarios.
Elden Ring: A Case Study
FromSoftware’s Elden Ring serves as an excellent example. The game runs faster on the PS5 than on the Xbox Series X. Digital Foundry’s analysis of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC revealed a surprising frame-rate difference in favor of the PS5, a machine often considered the less capable one.
The Xbox Series X’s Strengths
While the PS5 might outperform in some cases, Digital Foundry highlights the benefits of Microsoft’s approach for the Xbox Series X. The Xbox’s ecosystem and feature set share a commonality with PC development, providing advantages for game creators. For instance, although Elden Ring runs faster on the PS5, the Xbox Series X’s smoother and more consistent experience due to its better implementation of variable refresh rate makes it the preferred platform for many players.
The Future of Console Wars
With Sony rumored to be releasing a PS5 Pro later this year, and Microsoft potentially launching an Xbox handheld, the performance landscape is likely to evolve. Digital Foundry predicts that the PS5 Pro will leverage its strengths, further enhancing its GPU performance with PSSR machine learning-based upscaling.
As we move towards the next generation of consoles, with Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox and the inevitable PS6, we can expect a continuation of this dynamic competition, pushing the boundaries of gaming performance and innovation.
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