As we approach the fourth anniversary of Microsoft Corp's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox Series X and Sony Group Corp's (NYSE:SONY) PlayStation 5, gamers are still grappling with an intriguing phenomenon: despite the Xbox Series X's reputation as the "world's most powerful console," some games actually run better on the PlayStation 5.
This paradox has puzzled many, prompting tech experts at Digital Foundry to delve into the reasons behind it.
The Power Play
When both Microsoft and Sony launched their next-generation consoles in November 2020, the specs sheet made it clear: the Xbox Series X was a beast. With 12 teraflops of GPU performance, it outstripped the PS5's 10.28 teraflops.
Microsoft emphasized this power advantage, aiming to avoid the performance gap that had plagued the Xbox One in the previous generation.
Yet, real-world gaming experiences tell a different story. Despite the raw power of the Xbox Series X, certain games perform better on the PS5. But why?
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Insights From Digital Foundry
According to Digital Foundry (via IGN), the answer lies in several technical nuances. They explain: "The combination of a more efficient GPU compiler, lower-level APIs, and higher clock speeds allows PS5 to match or even exceed the outputs of Xbox Series X in some scenarios."
For instance, FromSoftware's "Elden Ring" 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 advantage for the PS5, despite it being the theoretically less capable machine.
The Xbox Advantage
However, this does not mean the Xbox Series X's power is wasted. Digital Foundry points out that the Xbox's architecture, which shares more in common with PC development, can be beneficial for game developers.
"There are situations where the Xbox ecosystem and feature set yields dividends. For example, while Elden Ring may run faster on PS5, Sony's limited implementation of variable refresh rate support means that we'd much rather play the game on Xbox Series X — it's just a smoother and more consistent experience."
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