It’s time to ask the age-old question once again. Which is better PlayStation or Xbox? The console wars have been raging on for the better part of two decades. We could argue about the user interface, customizability, price, and exclusive games, but today we’re here to look at one thing: technical specifications. 

CPUs

The CPU (or central processing unit) is essentially the “heart” of a gaming console. In short, what it does is execute vital calculations to run apps and games. It’s a necessary component and the most important as well. 

The Xbox Series X receives the edge in this category. Both consoles feature processors with Zen 2 microarchitecture, but Microsoft has opted for a 3.8GHz variant which essentially means that the Series X can run smoother and faster. In short, it has really great performance.

PlayStation isn’t too far behind though. They went ahead and outfitted their new console with a 3.5GHz processor. You’ll still get solid performance, and truth be told, you probably won’t notice too much of a difference.

Still, the Series X will beat PlayStation in benchmarks and FPS (frames per second).

GPU

Graphics processing units are used to accelerate graphics rendering. They’re a specialized processor that are extremely important when it comes to video games and other graphically demanding applications like video editing software.

Again, the Series X has the edge on paper. They have utilized a 12 TeraFLOP GPU which means surprisingly not too much as far as comparisons go. In fact, the Xbox One has more TFLOPs than the Xbox Series S, but the latter offers much better performance. This is possible because it’s more so about how the system uses the GPU power.

PlayStation features slightly less at 10.28 TFLOPs. Xbox has a statistical advantage, but PlayStation’s practical application beats Xbox by utilizing a variable clock speed. As a result, PS5 can operate at 2.23 GHz while Xbox is locked at 1.825.

The win goes to PlayStation this round.

Storage and Memory

As far as RAM goes, the PS5 and XBSX are identical with 16 GB of RAM for both consoles. 

One of the biggest debates going on between fans of both consoles was about the SSD or solid-state drives of each console.

The Xbox Series X features a 1TB SSD. The Xbox One had a 500GB version as well as a 1TB version. One terabyte is a pretty good amount of space and should hold plenty of games, especially with the lack of new games coming to next-gen consoles.

The PlayStation lacks the same amount of space with a respective, but lesser 825GB storage device. There’s plenty of space, but it just doesn’t stack up to the new Xbox. 

But if you’re a PS5, don’t fret. The PlayStation 5 absolutely smokes the Xbox Series X when it comes to retrieving files and loading games. It’s akin to the instantaneous start-up of older “plug-and-play” consoles. Theoretically anyway, since comparisons have shown that performance is pretty similar which has become somewhat of a trend in this console generation.

If we’ve learned anything this generation, it’s that these consoles are both pretty powerful and strikingly similar. The real test is going to be the console exclusive titles.

Everyone loves a good independently developed game here and there. Some have even become some of the most well-regarded games of all time. These games can be surprisingly well polished and full of heart and the best part is that there’s no shortage of them on PlayStation. Read on to see the best indie titles PlayStation has to offer(in no particular order).

5: Hotline Miami 1&2

The Hotline Miami series is a frenetic top-down shooter with buckets of blood with an intense, droning electronic soundtrack. Pink and light blue hues fill your screen as you play as a mysterious hitman that takes out his foes with a variety of weapons and different rubber animal masks. The pixelized art style lends itself well to this excellent game. The sequel was pretty much on par with the first as well. 

4. Hades

If you’re looking for a polished rogue-lite, Hades is your game. It’s filled with deep lore and smooth gameplay that makes you want to play over and over again. You find yourself playing as Zagreus, the son of Hades, trying to find your way through the underworld to get to the surface. Each character is fleshed out with unique dialogue options after each death. There’s plenty to do in Hades like unlocking weapons and upgrading abilities to fortify you for your next run.

3. Return of the Obra Dinn

Pirates, insurance agents, and a murder mystery. What else could you want? Return of the Obra Dinn has you, the player, become a pirate ship insurance agent trying to deduce what went down aboard the Obra Dinn. This is a game full of discovery and one of the best investigative games you can play right now. 

2. Disco Elysium

It might not be the game for everyone, but what it set out to do, it achieves with panache. You’ll find yourself in the dilapidated city of Revachol investigating the lynching of a mercenary tasked with controlling union protests. The only thing is that you don’t really know who you are to start out. You’ll discover your identity and beliefs as you play this philosophically intense RPG. Be ready to read though since this game has about as much reading as a small novel.

1. The Outer Wilds

No, not the Outer Worlds. This is an indie game about exploring space and discovering how an ancient race of aliens lived and died out, on the surface anyway. There’s not a game out there that quite captures the wonder of space travel and horrifying ways you can go out. Every 22 minutes, you restart just to do it all again, or maybe you go somewhere else to learn something new. Just try to piece it all together. The beauty of this game isn’t just on the outside, it’s mirrored with a barebones narrative, but an extremely poignant message of doing things just to do them. You won’t find something nearly as touching, at least for a very long time. Well maybe until the expansion coming out later this month!

Consoles are pretty much the full package out of the box. There’s none of that “sold separately” stuff going when you purchase one, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be some extra goodies that make life a lot easier. PlayStation systems have plenty of additions that help improve the overall experience. Read on to find out what can make your PS5 (and PS4) experience a little bit smoother.

Controller Accessories

If you’ve been around for a while it’s no doubt that you’ve seen thumbstick caps floating around the internet. Turns out that they can be pretty useful to gain a little bit more control while you’re aiming in your favorite FPSs. Their benefits range from increasing precision to giving the user a little bit more grip to just adding a little bit of vanity flair to your favorite controller. I personally use them to cover up my worn-out thumbsticks.

Next up is debatably a must-have. Charging stations have been a staple in many players’ homes since the PlayStation 3 came out. It’s no different now for PS4 and PS5. These plug right into your console and can charge two controllers at once, making couch co-op much easier to get started.

Sound

Audio is another major aspect of gaming. Poor audio can really ruin the experience. Luckily there are two extremely solid options out there for you: headsets and soundbars. Both of these items are relatively affordable starting off, but if you feel the need you can drop some extra cash for some true high fidelity audio. 

Headsets are more suited to fans of online multiplayer games. You’ll be able to accurately hear footsteps and communicate with teammates. 

Soundbars and other sound systems (like home theater speakers) are great for enhancing bombastic audio from your favorite movies or games. 

Whichever you prefer, it’s worth upgrading your audio equipment to get the most out of your gaming system.

Gaming Peripherals

PlayStation has some great peripherals for you to get your hands on. Headsets and charging stations are practical, but these can really up the “fun factor” for your gaming experience. 

Racing wheels are the ultimate way to play racing games like Gran Turismo and Drive Club. At this point, I won’t even play a racing game if I can’t play on a steering wheel. Don’t forget the pedals either! Some even come bundled with a shift stick. Don’t miss out on this immersive way to enjoy racing games.

In a similar vein are flight sticks. Admittedly, games that use these are a little bit less common than racing games, but can still get plenty of use in titles like Elite Dangerous, No Man’s Sky, and War Thunder. Plus, there’s nothing quite like getting in a dog fight while you control an aircraft with an actual flight stick.

Stock up on these accessories and you’ll be set for a complete gaming experience on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.