PS6 and Project Helix will compete on frame rate, not picture quality, expert believes

Current rumors suggest Project Helix has approximately a 30% advantage in computing power.

While rumors have long pointed to a possible performance difference between PlayStation 6 and Microsoft's next console, codenamed Project Helix, a new analysis from well-known insider and YouTube blogger Moore’s Law is Dead suggests that the next-gen confrontation may turn into a “frame rate war” rather than a battle for image quality.

According to the published breakdown, based on previously leaked device specifications, Project Helix may get about 70 compute units, while PS6 will have approximately 54. There are also assumptions about differences in clock speeds of the processors and graphics chips of both systems.

Moore’s Law is Dead recalled that a similar situation was observed in the current console generation. Despite the higher theoretical computing power of the Xbox Series X compared to the PlayStation 5, Sony's console won due to an efficient cooling system and the ability to maintain high frequencies longer without overheating. At that time, the dispute between the platforms often came down to comparing 12.1 teraflops for the Xbox Series X against 10.3 teraflops for the PS5.

Separate attention in the analysis is paid to memory bandwidth. According to available data, the difference in this parameter between the platforms will be less than in the current generation, while the differences in computing power may be somewhat greater. As a result, one system may focus on running games in 4K resolution at 144 frames per second, and the other on stable 4K and 60 fps.

Nevertheless, Moore’s Law is Dead believes that in the long run, the hardware differences between PS6 and Project Helix will not be a decisive factor. The key role will be played by developers' skills and the quality of game optimization for specific hardware.