The GPU difference between the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X might not mean all that much according to a leading Dirt 5 developer. Gamers have enthusiastically debated which next-gen console will be more powerful, with high-profile names like Gabe Newell even giving their own opinion. But it seems as if the slight differences in specs won't mean too much for players.
The two next-gen consoles are both impressive pieces of hardware, although most industry figures agree that the Xbox Series X has better specs in terms of raw power. This is largely down to the fact that it boasts a 12 teraflop GPU compared to the PS5's 10.28 teraflop GPU. But that does not tell the whole story. In fact, the PS5 has its own advantages, with some suggesting it could have a speed advantage in terms of load times thanks to its custom SSD. The exact performance differences between the two consoles likely won't be fully revealed until both systems are available to buy.
The differences between the GPUs of the PS5 and Xbox Series X should not have much of an effect on the performance of games according to a leading developer. Speaking in an interview with Gaming Bolt, Dirt 5 designer Mike Moreton explained that the slight power differential between the two GPUs won't have a noticeable effect on next-gen games. Moreton said that, “from development and gameplay perspectives," the difference "doesn’t really have an impact." However, the developer did concede that the extra GPU power might make things a little easier for studios when it comes to optimizing a game, saying, "When it comes to tuning, tweaking and optimizations at the end of a game, it might mean slightly less work for one platform.”
With the launch of the next-gen systems just a few weeks away, attention has started to turn onto which of the consoles will be the most successful. One leading industry analyst has predicted that the Xbox Series X could outsell the PS5 by a 2-to-1 margin. The HOTH used Google Trends data to examine how much fans had searched for information about the consoles and found that Microsoft's hardware has a clear advantage, but it's unclear if that rather precarious methodology will translate to holiday sales.
The specs of the Xbox Series X and PS5 are probably the most talked-about features of the next-gen consoles, with fans eager to argue over which is the better choice. Hearing from a leading developer that the slight differences in GPU power will mean very little for gamers should help should pour some water on the flames that can arise from such arguments.
The Xbox Series X/S will be available on November 10, 2020, and the PlayStation 5 will be available in select countries November 12 and globally on November 19.
Source: Gaming Bolt