Home » Games » Playstation » News » ESRAM Gets 15% Boost With Pix; Vulkan Unlikely To Replace PS4 GNM

28 comments

ESRAM Gets 15% Boost With Pix; Vulkan Unlikely To Replace PS4 GNM

05 March 2015

GDC 2015 continues to provide more information on the future of technologies used to create games. Yesterday a bunch of embargoes lifted and finally, developers were able to speak freely on these topics; as usual, Stardock CEO Brad Wardell maintained the promise made to his followers and divulged information, starting with a 15% eSRAM performance boost for Xbox One provided by tool Pix.

Apparently, there is also a new eSRAM API coming with DirectX12. Could this be the breakthrough that Xbox One needed to reach 1080P resolution more consistently in actual games? Only time will tell, though improvements are certain.

Wardell also commented on the likelihood that PlayStation 4 would get Vulkan, the new open standard API by Khronos (previously known as Next Generation OpenGL Initiative, or glNext). He thinks that Vulkan certainly won’t replace Sony’s GNM as that API is already low level, but it could become an alternative of sorts to GNMX (which is the high level PS4 API).

Between DirectX 12 and Vulkan, it seems like new APIs will provide substantial improvements to developers which should result in even better games on multiple levels. While AMD’s Mantle is likely about to be overshadowed, we shouldn’t forget Mantle’s initial push for a lower level API on PC may have been critical to get at this point.

Guest

Poor $0N¥ PauperStation, all overhype.
- Guest
  
  Umm, how is Sony overhyping anything when this is a article basically trying to hype about MS’s API? Are you ok? You forget to take your medication? Cuz you’re obviously crazy. What an embarrassment you MS fanboys are.
  - JerkDaNERD7
    
    Th isn’t hyping anything. They is what GDC is for, they announce new technology and implementations and only media outlets like this who makes a big deal out of it and proclaims it to us. If anything this is a huge deal. An API within an API for a specific hardware? Either that’s something good or bad we don’t know but it’s mysterious.
    - Dirkster_Dude
      
      Actually, this article is about Microsoft’s new APIs for DX12 and the eSRAM used in the XB1. Sony was mentioned as an afterthought, but has NOTHING to do with this article so the questions remains from the Guest troll: Since this article isn’t about Sony “What are they overhyping?” The answer: NOTHING.
  - Fweds
    
    :
JerkDaNERD7

Wow, that’s kinda of a big deal for the esram to have it’s own API?! Whaaa??? Just proves how complex XOne’s design is. Only games will prove if that complexity even means anything.
- Zarbor
  
  It is a big deal. I’m just not sure when we will see the effects of this tech. Is the next Halo using it? What about Gears and other games that have been in development? Clearly the Witcher will not, which is a shame since this is the next big game for the current gen. I prefer the XB1 controller but I’m getting the better version on the PS4. Yes, not much of a difference but if you have to choose….why not.
  - JerkDaNERD7
    
    Halo is a toss up and doubt they really need it, but Gears for sure without a doubt will be using it. I hear Black Tusk is like a super skunkworks team for gaming that Microsoft put together so there is not doubt there. However Witcher has always been in development so too late, but boy I can’t wait to see what CD Projekt is doing with Cyberpunk! Can’t wait, only good things here on out.
armin2100

Yeah,they`re trying so hard to be like ps4!
good for you guys!finaly you can have your dream(1080p!!)
- http://www.xboxonedaily.com/ TheRedButterfly
  
  If they were trying to be like the PS4, they would be brute-forcing their way to 1080, instead of achieving it via optimization and software development.
  
  That’s the difference between Microsoft and Sony. One is a software company, one is a hardware company. Only this time the software company designed their hardware around their future-proof software, and the hardware company simply threw a bunch of memory at a problem. (Guess Sony learned its lesson with Cell.)
  - Guest
    
    Brute force? Please, more fanboy propaganda and bs. The PS4 is just the better machine period. MS created a convoluted and weaker mess and that’s all there is to it, period! And no amount of MS DX PR will change that. And you people seem to forget that the PS4 SDk/API is improving too. I’ve never seen such delusion and desperation in my life. Fanboys are sad.
    - Zarbor
      
      I agree there is so much delusion from fanboys, especially those that only have one of these machines. They have no idea what the heck they are talking about. You know what I mean? You know the idiots claiming one is better than the other but it has always been about the games. Yet we have to see any games better on one versus the other. Yes. Fanboys are sad.
  - MrSec84 .
    
    Brute force? Naughty Dog and The ICE Team didn’t brute force TLOU on PS3, they optimized the API and ND’s game engine down to the binary level to make the best looking 7th gen console game, the same thing will happen on PS4.
    
    The whole point of cell was to optimize around the whole system, same goes for PS4. There’s a reason why Sony employed Mark Cerny to pick the right process for developing the platform. Talking to the game creators, to give them what they wanted for a console. Sony are a console creator, they cared about both the hardware and the software and saw that both are important, they used their experience and knowledge, as well as the knowledge of game developers to make the system they wanted.
    
    As for your “threw a bunch of memory at a problem” comment, they didn’t just do that, they modified their GPU to be a better general purpose math device, with features that allow developers to fully max out GPU time and they also utilized a memory that was the most flexible kind, with the fastest bandwidth to the biggest amount of storage feasible right now, within the budget constraints they had for the platform.
    
    PS4 has the most efficient overall design, when it comes to both it’s APU and memory, the potential of what’s possible on PS4 is much greater than XB1.
Kfal Balli

Console can already do 1080. It’s easier to develop on ps4 and port to another platform. Doing so you don’t utilize any of the ones strengths and then people claim it’s inferior when countless devs and designers have said the different is miniscule. But likewise this is good news for both consoles. Ryse and the order should be the benchmark as far as graphics go.
- Guest
  
  Countless devs have not said so. And the ones that have are all indie devs that are hardly pushing the systems, so of course from their point of view there isn’t going to be much difference. But the truth is that the PS4 is more powerful and countless multiplats have proved that already. But the Microsoft Defense Force will continue to try and convince everybody otherwise.
  You people are so full of excuses. If you code to maximize both systems then the PS4 will be more powerful. Fact! And Ryse has a lower res (1600×900 vs 1920×800) and a worst framerate. Just like on most of the multiplats.
  - OC Guy
    
    still wrong….such an angry little fanboy troll.
  - Kfal Balli
    
    You’re oblivious. Countless multiplats ran better on xbox 360 compared to the the ps3 so what’s your point? Or have you not heard about optimization either?
  - Fweds
    
    Tell us why the PS4 CAN’T do 60 FPS even in a standard closed circuit driving game?, the PS4 is every bit as weak as Xbox 1,but at least the Xbox one offers more options and a whole new lot come November with Windows 10.
Guest

Just more hyping and I bet you half of this is going to turn out to be true. MS is trying to hard to make people (read mainly the dumb MS fanboys) think that their system isn’t weak when it is. And no API will change that.
Truthhurts24

Wow DX12 15% boost is great for the X1 and will really make a difference with the texture details of X1 games when devs utilize it. The X1 is truly an advanced console there is so much untapped potential inside of it which only is going to continue to increase and evolve.
- Guest
  
  No its not! Its a underpowered comvulted mess and MS messed up big time trying to cater to that Kinect crap and is now scrambling with everything they got to try and alleviate the problem. But the problem has already done. Its weak and now they and you fanboys have to deal with it. Its 2015 and the system can barely even do 1080p. Pathetic!
  - Truthhurts24
    
    Lol somebody is scared its 2015 and your still a pony how is that 5 hour exclusive treating you. Listen fanboy there is very minimal difference between Xbox and Ps4 games so the 1080p resolution gate garbage its not reality but I cant expect you to think logically your already brainwashed.
    - Guest
      
      When did I ever bring up the PS4? Are you that dumb? Im no PS4 fanboy, that’s another weak POS, but the X1 is even worst. And you are the pathetic loser that rather put up with weaker hardware and inferior ports than give up your loyalty to a corporation. Pathetic! just like your system of choice. Golf Club, PES15, Halo 5 Beta & Halo 2A, KI, Lords of the Fallen, MGSGV, Metro Redux, PvZ, Ryse, DR3, TF, SSOD, Thief, WD, Wolfenstein and more all say hi! And btw even newly released or soon to be reelased games like Witcher 3, Evolve, Dying Light, BFH, FC4, CODAW, MODOR, TEW, DAI still struggles to do 1080 on the X1. Its a weak system, deal with it kid! And the irony of you calling me brainwashed when you’re the brainwashed fanboy. You need to get off MS’s nuts.
      - Truthhurts24
        
        Look at this hating troll even worse than the fanboys online and I have no loyalty to any company idiot but unlike you I have enough common sense to see that the X1 console will continue to increase over time. Your so blinded by your own hate and stupidity you would believe any thing negative about the X1. Find help troll!
  - OC Guy
    
    wrong again pony…….yawn.
Failz

Incoming Sony fans to downplay yet another good news article for X1. If only they understand the system before they throw punches. Lol kids.
- Jecht_Sin
  
  And here he keeps upvoting himself. Do you also enjoy touching yourself in public? Ewww.
Jecht_Sin

This Brad guy is as clueless as Failz, the troll below me. First he suggests that the PS4 should adopt Vulkan, then he realizes that the PS4 uses GNM/GNMX, which strips out all the unneeded multiplatform portability stuff in OpenGL and next Vulkan.

New Info On Bloodborne Locations – Yharnam Uncovered

PS4 Firmware 2.50 Enables Share Play@60FPS, Trophies Search Online

Fable Legends To Use Dedicated Servers Powered By Xbox Cloud Compute

ESRAM Gets 15% Boost With Pix; Vulkan Unlikely To Replace PS4 GNM

Zombie Army Trilogy Giveaway

Spencer Teases Most First Party Games On Both XB1 & PC

Evolve Getting Observer Mode Soon, For Free

Wolfenstein: The Old Blood announced

CD Projekt: The Witcher 3 Ultra Will Be A Slap In The Face

Dev Blown Away By Morpheus, Reports No Delay

ESRAM Gets 15% Boost With Pix; Vulkan Unlikely To Replace PS4 GNM

ESRAM Gets 15% Boost With Pix; Vulkan Unlikely To Replace PS4 GNM

Login