People have been deriding Microsoft’s Xbox One because it used a whopping 3Gb of its system memory for its triumvirate operating systems, whereas the PlayStation 4 would only use 1gb, giving developers 7Gbs of memory, over the Xbox One’s 5Gb. Only it appears that’s not true, at all.
So says Eurogamer’s Digital Foundry and their ninja sources, right now the P4 only gives developers 4.5Gb of useable RAM.
According to their documentation, 4.5gb of RAM is “the baseline amount of guaranteed memory available for game-makers and most likely what the lion’s share of launch titles will be using.” On top of that , games can request 1Gb of “flexible” memory – essentially a virtual memory swapfile – if necessary.
“Flexible Memory”, says Sony is “memory managed by the PS4 OS on the game’s behalf, and allows games to use some very nice FreeBSD virtual memory functionality.”
“However this memory is 100% the game’s memory, and is never used by the OS, and as it is the game’s memory it should be easy for every developer to use it.”
While that 5 or so Gigs of memory is still ten times what’s available in the current generation consoles, it’s a far cry from what you’d find on even a mid-range PC right now. These “next generation” consoles are looking less future-proof every day.
It does, however, mean that the operating systems for both the Xbox One and PlayStation4 should run like butter, and have proper multi-tasking functionality
Last Updated: July 29, 2013
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 29, 2013 at 09:50
Ninjas, bringing you info, since loooong ago
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 29, 2013 at 09:51
So what was that about consoles not having as much overheads as normal PC’s when it comes to RAM?
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 29, 2013 at 09:52
Huehuehue
Spathi
July 29, 2013 at 09:52
Indeed. 🙁
Consoles are trying to do too much and become gaming PCs instead of being consoles. I’m not a happy camper if this is indeed true.
Melasco
July 29, 2013 at 09:57
Good call from Sony, I was worried when rumor’s suggested only 1Gb used for OS…. This way they will never be in a situation of not enough RAM to add functionality later… A couple of years into the console’s life they can always release more RAM to Dev’s if needed like they did with PS3.
5Gb RAM is a crapload… It’s about 11 times what the PS3 had available to Dev’s….
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 29, 2013 at 09:57
So Xbox One uses 3 gigs for Os and Sony does the same. Everyone jumped on One for doing that … Think it’s time Sony feels some heat
Harvey P. Cheesewinkle
July 29, 2013 at 20:39
http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/gddr5/Pages/gddr5.aspx#2
Nobody jumped on Xbox One for doing that, everyone just assumed that the PS4 would have more available memory, since an article originally claimed that the PS4 had 7g of RAM to work with for games, and 1g reserved for the OS.
It wasn’t an official release from Sony, so if anyone should feel the ‘heat’. It should be every journalist and gamer who swallowed rumor, without waiting for official information from Sony. Even still, AMD’s charts show 512m of GDDR5 still outperforms 1g of DDR3.
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 29, 2013 at 22:06
I wasn’t really serious about the ‘heat’ in anycase. There were gamers that bashed One because of the 3 gig OS ram…just wanted to see if anyone would hop on Sony too, official press release or not…nothing serious
Harvey P. Cheesewinkle
July 30, 2013 at 08:48
I actually disagree, I think Sony’s largely gotten off scott free so far this generation. I think a great deal of that is the product they’ve put forth, and obviously the stumbles from the Microsoft camp. They’re also brilliantly ‘not’ answering questions regarding things that’ve gotten MS buried the past few weeks.
Of course, there may be nothing there, or there very well could be. But, should Sony try to pull the shit that Microsoft has, I’d be all on the side of dishing them a steaming pile.
These companies think they can do whatever they like without repercussion, and it’s our duty to protect our hobby and clearly tell them when they’ve fucked up and make it hurt. Either via bad publicity, or not purchasing whatever it is they’re trying to sell.
We cannot complain about serious transgressions, and then simply turn around and buy these things.
eXpZA
July 29, 2013 at 09:58
PS4 does NOT reserve 4GB for games “Absolutely false”- Brian Provinciano. http://gematsu.com/2013/07/rumor-update-ps4-5gb-ram-games
eXpZA
July 29, 2013 at 09:59
Pasting this again incase the Lazygamer Brigade vote pictures of trollfaces and banhammers to the top: Brian Provinciano, head of confirmed PlayStation 4 developer Vblank Entertainment, has called the Digital Foundry rumors “absolutely false.”
RinceDAmasterdebata
July 29, 2013 at 10:00
Good man!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 29, 2013 at 10:06
He hasn;t, however, said anything on how much is actually available.. It’;s the 4,5Gb (as other developers according to Eurogamer have confirmed) plus the 1Gb of V-mem.
eXpZA
July 29, 2013 at 10:31
Definitely no confirmation of actual usage, however we need to nip these rumours in the butt before the entire internet starts with “PS4 only has enough ram to run games at 480p [RUMOUR]”.
Weanerdog
July 29, 2013 at 11:02
I heard that 480p was only available with 8 bit graphics so more like 240p.
TiMsTeR1033
July 29, 2013 at 10:10
The article I have pasted explains how 4.5 gb is more than enpugh for games.
http://gaminrealm.com/2013/07/28/lets-all-just-hush-up-about-the-ps4s-ram/
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 29, 2013 at 10:16
Enough for a console yes, but PCs are far superior , how could anyone ever compare consoles to PCs … Sony lied to us all
TiMsTeR1033
July 29, 2013 at 10:23
Well I guess if you think about it a game like Farcry 3 ran on current console hardware with only 512mb of gddr3 ram what could future games do with 4.5 gb of gddr5. I for one rate its more than enough. yes maybe sony lied to us, kinda but think how smooth the os will be start right where you left off loading instantly from what we have been told. So I for one am not worried.
Spathi
July 29, 2013 at 10:26
Sony never said only 1 gig would be used.
TiMsTeR1033
July 29, 2013 at 10:27
I never said it would either.
Spathi
July 29, 2013 at 10:33
I know, but you said Sony lied 😀
TiMsTeR1033
July 29, 2013 at 10:34
said maybe sony lied. lol
Concerned
July 29, 2013 at 10:38
Sony just chose not to correct their fan base bashing MS with incorrect info, which isn’t exactly the same…. But judging by Sony’s silence since E3 you’d have to ask yourself what else are they not telling us?? Hmmmm
TiMsTeR1033
July 29, 2013 at 10:43
4.5 gbs gdd5 is more than enough. so I for one dont care if they have a hidden bit of info here or there. as long as games work well and play great and look great I am happy. which i am sure they will be those things esp as i said current gens 512gb is enough for current gen games.
Concerned
July 29, 2013 at 10:48
True, both PS4 and Xbox one games are going to be eye candy! I also don’t think we should be judging on release titles already, give it a couple of years till developers are more familiar with the consoles and we can expect Awesomeness!! ????
TiMsTeR1033
July 29, 2013 at 10:51
I have a funny feeling the launch titles will be great. I think over the years devs learnt alot and now the learning curve is alot easier and to think how much optimizations were needed for current gen games that were multi platform. So I think we safe.
Concerned
July 29, 2013 at 10:53
I Really hope you’re right!! Here’s to good gaming!????
Spathi
July 29, 2013 at 10:55
Indeed. It never bothered me what the previous (current!) generation specs were, as long as I could enjoy the games. It is something the developers would have to worry about, not the customers! Why oh why do we complicate our lives with trivial things like the console wars 😛
Spathi
July 29, 2013 at 10:43
What? Now it’s Sony’s fault?
Wtf101
July 29, 2013 at 10:26
I am just curious: What is the amount of cash I have to throw at a PC to get the same performance I am getting out of my Xbox and PS3? Let’s be honest. If I have to go into a PC store and buy the PC Box (excluding monitor, speakers and such) what am I looking at cash wise?
TiMsTeR1033
July 29, 2013 at 10:28
prob about 6k
Trevor Davies
July 29, 2013 at 10:48
That sounds about right. Even the lower end of graphics cards these days can handle a lot. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent gaming PC.
TiMsTeR1033
July 29, 2013 at 10:52
Yeah but 6 k might still cost more than a ps4 and unlike the ps4 which will age gracefully and improve the pc will become slow and tired and make gaming a sad experience to those enjoying high settings all enabled.
Trevor Davies
July 29, 2013 at 11:04
Sure, but that’s one of the benefits of getting a PC – you can always tinker & upgrade your hardware as needed if you choose too, depending on whatever standards you set for it. The hardware can definitely cost you more initially, but you can save a fortune down the line with games prices.
You’ll also find a mid-range PC now will probably perform slightly worse than a new console, but in 4 years time when the console is in the middle of it’s life span, a mid-range PC will be streets ahead because of the rapid evolution.
TiMsTeR1033
July 29, 2013 at 11:14
streets ahead I think not man, the current gen consoles are how old and they still can look as good as high end pc games of today. So yeah, you can tinker with pcs and in the past i have but I have become tired of changing settings and resolutions just to have game look and play the best, and when a new demo comes out and your pc dies its a feeling of lost hope as your pc has now become outdated and you gotta upgrade again. few thousand down the drain and your okay again for how long a year or 2 until next big game kills your pcs resources.
Wtf101
July 29, 2013 at 11:16
Yes, but in four years time, what is going to be left of your midrange PC? (I am assuming you refer to upgrading) When all is upgraded, all that might be left is the case and power supply and DVD drives.
Or, if you are not referring to upgrading, then forking out cash again for a new mid range pc? Not sure that it amounts to saving really.
Now I put a console in my house, barring unauthorised wealth distribution, that thing is going to give me years of service. Without me having to ever upgrade anything. And if current gen consoles are anything to co by, then the difference in performance between a PC and my console is not going to differ all that much.
I am sorry to say this, but if I learnt anything from this current gen of gaming, it is that PC can no longer claim king of the hill when it comes to gaming.
TiMsTeR1033
July 29, 2013 at 11:19
Thank you and I cant agree more. Pc gamers think they are elite because they spend thousands on hardware but what they dont see is if they were the true “master race” why to consoles gamers get more games dont have to worry about graphic settings and their old hardware can still match a brand new high end pc. end of story consoles win
Wtf101
July 29, 2013 at 11:50
Look, I’ve done the PC upgrade thing for years, and in all honesty, up until the PS2, I would have fiercely defended the PC in the PC Vs Console wars. But the only thing I use my PC now for, is literally to play The Sims 3 and its expansions.
For everything else, it’s like you said: If I look at the games available on the console vs pc, I simply see no reason to keep on doing the upgrade thing.
Weanerdog
July 29, 2013 at 11:05
Remember that you can do a lot more than just game on a PC, it has got Skype and …. Oh wait nevermind
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 29, 2013 at 10:38
Don’t know really not a PC guy … lol sorry, but I would assume Timster’s price resonable for a MID PC
Concerned
July 29, 2013 at 10:18
No surprise here! Sony just chose to allow their fan base to run with the inaccurate info and bash MS with it! Constantly recording the last 15 min of gameplay and with the coming Playstation TV and proper multi tasking, it would’ve been neigh impossible on 1Gb only! I’m more concerned about the HDD lifespan with that last 15min of gameplay being constantly recorded! As pointed out in article and below, the amount of RAM both consoles are getting is huge compared to previous gen, so calm down, the games will still look spectacular!! ????
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
July 29, 2013 at 11:00
4.5gb for one OS makes one LARD of an OS. LARD OS; coming to a console near you.
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
July 29, 2013 at 11:08
Bleh… I played Crysis 1 on my Xbox 360 this weekend and that throws the whole debate of more RAM is better out of the water. There was HDR and shinies everywhere (*_*)
Tbone187
July 29, 2013 at 12:02
WTF! Windows 7 minimum requirement is 2 gigs…What on earth are they doing on these glorified interfaces…?
Brady miaau
July 29, 2013 at 13:34
you are not comparing apples with apples. Dedicated hardware allows for so much more power and flexibility
Tbone187
July 29, 2013 at 13:48
Okaaay,,, that doesn’t explain why the OS requires so much of ram…One could argue the hardware in a PC is dedicated to running Windows and it’s apps so what you saying has no relevance to OS’s minimum requirements…
Brady miaau
July 29, 2013 at 15:51
Not at all.
I am saying that when the hardware is YOURS and you have direct control of the OS you can do so much with the hardware resources. Windows for your PC is not built on those principles.
That said, 3 GIG for MS OS?
Commander Jim
July 29, 2013 at 12:05
Poor article. This has already been debunked with developers claiming they have games that use 6 gigabytes of RAM on PS4 and secondly console and PC RAM requirements do not compare at all. The Last of Us was accomplished on a console with 256mb of usable RAM. Id like to see a PC with 256mb of RAM handle a game like that.
Even if it was true 4.5gb of RAM partitioned purely for gameplay on a console is HUGE and about 20 times much as the PS3 has available to games.
Brady miaau
July 29, 2013 at 12:19
“Poor Article” Um, I do not understand. Around 4.5 gig RAM and 1 gig swap is around 6 gig for a game to use?
But yes, I fail to see the worry here. The difference is just staggeringly huge between current gen and net gen in terms of available memory to developers.
Pedro Pumpo
July 29, 2013 at 12:20
Well said. Brian P has strongly hinted the PS4 has at least as much RAM available to developers as Xbox One.
There are sources suggesting the RAM allocation is actually around 6GB to gamers.
Lazy article considering most of this has been known for days.
Melasco
July 29, 2013 at 12:23
Agreed… I think Sony and the developers are laughing at these debates… It’s like 2 sillionares fighting over who is rich…. The amounts of RAM we are discussing is insane for a fixed piece of hardware, and to be honest, it won’t make much of a difference between 4.5Gb or 6Gb available RAM… HDD’s and Blu Ray can only fill it up at a certain rate anyways, so the benifit of more RAM coupled with the rest of the system hardware will also hit a ceiling at some point…
Sageville
July 29, 2013 at 14:19
So where exactly did sony previously mention the allocation of it’s Ram?
I know MS did, to explain their 3 operating system model, I never heard anything from Sony except they have 8 gigs of GDDR5.
…and yet alot of peeps have already decided it would be 7 gigs to Game and 1 gig to OS.
When did that happen?
Harvey P Cheesewinkle
July 29, 2013 at 20:36
Interesting little note, 512m of GDDR5 still outperforms 1g of DDR3.
http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/gddr5/Pages/gddr5.aspx#2