This is based on early E3 impressions and information disclosed to date. I'm sure much more information about both platforms will be released in the future and the debate will continue for years to come. All opinions expressed below (including your own) are subjective.
CPU
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XBOX 360 FACT: A Power/PowerPC derivative with 3 cores running at 3.2GHz, SMT support, 1 VMX unit per core, 1MB L2 cache
PS3 FACT: CELL with 1 PPE (Power/PowerPC derivative running at 3.2GHz, SMT support, 1 VMX unit, 512KB cache) and 7 SPE's (running at 3.2GHz, 256KB local store each)
COMMENTARY: Microsoft claims that the XBOX 360 CPU does 115Gflops. Sony claims that CELL does 218 Gflops. On paper, advantage Sony. The real test is how easy it is to extract those gigaflops in a real game and avoid potential bottlenecks. Based on the data to date, I believe CELL has less bottlenecks to extracting maximum performance out of the CPU. I'll try and explain it in more detail in a separate post. But, the Microsoft CPU is no slouch either and should do quite well, it just won't hit the same levels of efficiency as CELL.
Advantage: Sony
GPU
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XBOX 360 FACT: Uses a custom ATI GPU with a unified shader model, 48 ALU's, and 10MB of embedded DRAM
PS3 FACT: Uses a custom NVIDIA GPU running at 550MHz
COMMENTARY: I already made my predictions about GPU features & performance in this thread: http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22909
The first prediction has come true and I believe the 2nd part will as well. A lot of folks will have the opinion that the ATI GPU is somehow "better" because it has a little bit of embedded DRAM. If entire graphics scenes could fit in the 10MB of embedded DRAM, that might be the case, but today's graphics scenes require signficantly more than that. The NVIDIA GPU has 256MB of high-speed GDDR3 DRAM connected to it (22GB/s) and has a 20GB/s (read) connection to the 256MB of XDR memory. The GPU can read/write both memories simultaneously. It will not be the bandwidth "slouch" that some might think. When all is said and done, I believe the NVIDIA part will be the faster of the two designs by a small amount.
Advantage: close, but to Sony
Main Memory
---------------
XBOX 360 FACT: Uses 512MB of 700MHz GDDR3 DRAM (22GB/s bandwidth)
PS3 FACT: Uses 256MB of 3.2GHz XDR memory (25GB/s bandwidth) + 256MB of 700MHz GDDR3 (22GB/s bandwidth)
COMMENTARY: The XBOX 360 uses a UMA shared memory design. The CPU and GPU will be competing for the 22GB/s of bandwidth. The PS3 has separate pools and bandwidth so there will not be memory contention between CPU & GPU (unless the GPU is accessing XDR memory, which is can do for additional performance). XDR + the on-die memory controller will give CELL better latencies than the XBOX CPU.
Advantage: Sony
Optical Storage
------------------
XBOX 360 FACT: Uses a 12X DVD-ROM drive with backwards compatibility CD-ROM
PS3 FACT: Uses a Blu-ray disc BD-ROM drive with backwards compatibility with DVD-ROM and CD-ROM
COMMENTARY: Clear cut advantage for Sony. Blu-ray disc will allow Sony to publish future games with lots of storage needs (up to 54GB), as well as support high-definition movies. Sony's Blu-ray drive is a clear superset of the XBOX 360 offering.
Advantage: Sony
Magnetic Storage
--------------------
XBOX 360 FACT: supports a 2.5" optional, removable hard drive
PS3 FACT: supports a 2.5" optional, removable hard drive
COMMENTARY: Both seem to have the same level of support.
Advantage: Tie
Sound
-------
XBOX 360 FACT: Sound processing done on the CPU
PS3 FACT: Sound processing done on the CPU (CELL)
COMMENTARY: Both systems do sound processing in software and will support Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS (as well has normal LPCM). Sony will also support the newer sound formats, Dolby Digital+ and DTS HD, on Blu-ray discs for even more advanced Home Theather. It is unclear if games might use the advanced sound codecs.
Advantage: Tie
Networking
-------------
XBOX 360 FACT: 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, optional Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth
PS3 FACT: 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 input + 2 output), Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0
COMMENTARY: XBOX 360 has only the Ethernet port built-in. You have to pay extra for the optional Wi-Fi unit. Sony, on the other hand, has really "set the bar" for network connectivity with Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support built-in. You should be able to network all kinds of devices to your PS3 (e.g, PC's, PSP's, PDA's, cell phones, etc.)
Advantage: Sony
I/O Connectivity
------------------
XBOX 360 FACT: 3 USB 2.0 ports
PS3 FACT: 6 USB 2.0 ports (4 front, 2 rear), Memory Stick slot (standard and DUO), SD slot, Compact Flash slot (Type I & II).
COMMENTARY: No real contest, as Sony has made it very easy to plug in devices and FLASH memory cards into the PS3 and transfer data/files.
Advantage: Sony
AV Outputs
-------------
XBOX 360 FACT: Microsoft has not disclosed details
PS3 FACT: 2 HDMI ports and 1 Analog Multi Out
COMMENTARY: Hard to do the comparision here, but it's unlikely Microsoft can improve on Sony's offerings here.
Advantage: Sony (pending more details on XBOX 360)
Controllers
-------------
XBOX 360 FACT: Up to 4 wireless controllers (proprietary 2.4GHz RF)
PS3 FACT: Up to 7 wireless controllers (Bluetooth 2.0)
COMMENTARY: I'll ignore the design of the new controllers, as that is a purely subjective like/dislike. I do like that PS3 uses Bluetooth controllers. The proprietary 2.4GHz RF stuff that XBOX 360 uses can sometimes interfere (i.e., cause lower throughput) with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks.
Advantage: Tie
Software Compatibility
--------------------------
XBOX 360 FACT: limited backwards compatibility with selected titles
PS3 FACT: Full compatibility with PS1 and PS2 titles.
COMMENTARY: It's nice to see Microsoft try and do backwards compatibility with XBOX1, but it seems to be a half-hearted effort. PS3 will have full backwards compatibility.
Advantage: Sony
CPU
-----
XBOX 360 FACT: A Power/PowerPC derivative with 3 cores running at 3.2GHz, SMT support, 1 VMX unit per core, 1MB L2 cache
PS3 FACT: CELL with 1 PPE (Power/PowerPC derivative running at 3.2GHz, SMT support, 1 VMX unit, 512KB cache) and 7 SPE's (running at 3.2GHz, 256KB local store each)
COMMENTARY: Microsoft claims that the XBOX 360 CPU does 115Gflops. Sony claims that CELL does 218 Gflops. On paper, advantage Sony. The real test is how easy it is to extract those gigaflops in a real game and avoid potential bottlenecks. Based on the data to date, I believe CELL has less bottlenecks to extracting maximum performance out of the CPU. I'll try and explain it in more detail in a separate post. But, the Microsoft CPU is no slouch either and should do quite well, it just won't hit the same levels of efficiency as CELL.
Advantage: Sony
GPU
-----
XBOX 360 FACT: Uses a custom ATI GPU with a unified shader model, 48 ALU's, and 10MB of embedded DRAM
PS3 FACT: Uses a custom NVIDIA GPU running at 550MHz
COMMENTARY: I already made my predictions about GPU features & performance in this thread: http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22909
The first prediction has come true and I believe the 2nd part will as well. A lot of folks will have the opinion that the ATI GPU is somehow "better" because it has a little bit of embedded DRAM. If entire graphics scenes could fit in the 10MB of embedded DRAM, that might be the case, but today's graphics scenes require signficantly more than that. The NVIDIA GPU has 256MB of high-speed GDDR3 DRAM connected to it (22GB/s) and has a 20GB/s (read) connection to the 256MB of XDR memory. The GPU can read/write both memories simultaneously. It will not be the bandwidth "slouch" that some might think. When all is said and done, I believe the NVIDIA part will be the faster of the two designs by a small amount.
Advantage: close, but to Sony
Main Memory
---------------
XBOX 360 FACT: Uses 512MB of 700MHz GDDR3 DRAM (22GB/s bandwidth)
PS3 FACT: Uses 256MB of 3.2GHz XDR memory (25GB/s bandwidth) + 256MB of 700MHz GDDR3 (22GB/s bandwidth)
COMMENTARY: The XBOX 360 uses a UMA shared memory design. The CPU and GPU will be competing for the 22GB/s of bandwidth. The PS3 has separate pools and bandwidth so there will not be memory contention between CPU & GPU (unless the GPU is accessing XDR memory, which is can do for additional performance). XDR + the on-die memory controller will give CELL better latencies than the XBOX CPU.
Advantage: Sony
Optical Storage
------------------
XBOX 360 FACT: Uses a 12X DVD-ROM drive with backwards compatibility CD-ROM
PS3 FACT: Uses a Blu-ray disc BD-ROM drive with backwards compatibility with DVD-ROM and CD-ROM
COMMENTARY: Clear cut advantage for Sony. Blu-ray disc will allow Sony to publish future games with lots of storage needs (up to 54GB), as well as support high-definition movies. Sony's Blu-ray drive is a clear superset of the XBOX 360 offering.
Advantage: Sony
Magnetic Storage
--------------------
XBOX 360 FACT: supports a 2.5" optional, removable hard drive
PS3 FACT: supports a 2.5" optional, removable hard drive
COMMENTARY: Both seem to have the same level of support.
Advantage: Tie
Sound
-------
XBOX 360 FACT: Sound processing done on the CPU
PS3 FACT: Sound processing done on the CPU (CELL)
COMMENTARY: Both systems do sound processing in software and will support Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS (as well has normal LPCM). Sony will also support the newer sound formats, Dolby Digital+ and DTS HD, on Blu-ray discs for even more advanced Home Theather. It is unclear if games might use the advanced sound codecs.
Advantage: Tie
Networking
-------------
XBOX 360 FACT: 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, optional Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth
PS3 FACT: 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 input + 2 output), Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0
COMMENTARY: XBOX 360 has only the Ethernet port built-in. You have to pay extra for the optional Wi-Fi unit. Sony, on the other hand, has really "set the bar" for network connectivity with Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support built-in. You should be able to network all kinds of devices to your PS3 (e.g, PC's, PSP's, PDA's, cell phones, etc.)
Advantage: Sony
I/O Connectivity
------------------
XBOX 360 FACT: 3 USB 2.0 ports
PS3 FACT: 6 USB 2.0 ports (4 front, 2 rear), Memory Stick slot (standard and DUO), SD slot, Compact Flash slot (Type I & II).
COMMENTARY: No real contest, as Sony has made it very easy to plug in devices and FLASH memory cards into the PS3 and transfer data/files.
Advantage: Sony
AV Outputs
-------------
XBOX 360 FACT: Microsoft has not disclosed details
PS3 FACT: 2 HDMI ports and 1 Analog Multi Out
COMMENTARY: Hard to do the comparision here, but it's unlikely Microsoft can improve on Sony's offerings here.
Advantage: Sony (pending more details on XBOX 360)
Controllers
-------------
XBOX 360 FACT: Up to 4 wireless controllers (proprietary 2.4GHz RF)
PS3 FACT: Up to 7 wireless controllers (Bluetooth 2.0)
COMMENTARY: I'll ignore the design of the new controllers, as that is a purely subjective like/dislike. I do like that PS3 uses Bluetooth controllers. The proprietary 2.4GHz RF stuff that XBOX 360 uses can sometimes interfere (i.e., cause lower throughput) with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks.
Advantage: Tie
Software Compatibility
--------------------------
XBOX 360 FACT: limited backwards compatibility with selected titles
PS3 FACT: Full compatibility with PS1 and PS2 titles.
COMMENTARY: It's nice to see Microsoft try and do backwards compatibility with XBOX1, but it seems to be a half-hearted effort. PS3 will have full backwards compatibility.
Advantage: Sony
