PlayStation 2 vs PlayStation 3
The gaming world saw a significant leap forward with the transition from PlayStation 2 to PlayStation 3. Sony’s iconic consoles marked different eras in gaming history, each bringing its own set of innovations and capabilities. This comparison delves into the key differences between these two beloved gaming systems, highlighting how the PlayStation 3 built upon its predecessor’s success while introducing groundbreaking features that set new standards in the industry.
Main Specifications
| Feature | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 128-bit “Emotion Engine” @ 294.9 MHz | Cell Broadband Engine @ 3.2 GHz |
| RAM | 32 MB | 256 MB XDR DRAM |
| Storage | 40 GB (later models) | 20 GB, 40 GB, 60 GB, 80 GB, 160 GB, 320 GB (various models) |
| Optical Drive | DVD | Blu-ray |
| Backward Compatibility | PlayStation 1 | PlayStation 1 & 2 (early models only) |
Display
| Feature | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Resolution | 480p | 1080p |
| Video Output | Composite, S-Video, Component | HDMI, Component, Composite |
Video
| Feature | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Processor | “Graphics Synthesizer” @ 147.4 MHz | RSX “Reality Synthesizer” @ 550 MHz |
| Video Memory | 4 MB | 256 MB GDDR3 VRAM |
Platform & Memory
| Feature | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | MIPS R5900 CPU core | 3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine with 1 PPE & 8 SPEs |
| System Memory | 32 MB RDRAM | 256 MB XDR DRAM |
Body
| Feature | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2.8 kg (original model) | 5 kg (original model), 3.2 kg (slim model) |
| Dimensions | 301 × 182 × 78 mm (original model) | 325 × 98 × 274 mm (original model) |
Sound
| Feature | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Audio | Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS | Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, LPCM 7.1 |
| Audio Output | RCA connectors, optical digital | RCA connectors, optical digital, HDMI |
Comms & Sensors
| Feature | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Ethernet (adapter required) | Ethernet, Wi-Fi |
| USB Ports | 2 (USB 1.1) | 2-4 (USB 2.0, depending on model) |
Benchmarks
| Feature | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Floating Point Performance | 6.2 GFLOPS | 230.4 GFLOPS |
| Pixel Fill Rate | 2.4 Gpixel/s | 8.8 Gpixel/s |
PlayStation 2 vs PlayStation 3 Gaming Capabilities
| Feature | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Online Gaming | Limited (via network adapter) | Integrated (PlayStation Network) |
| Save Data | Memory Card (8 MB) | Internal HDD, USB storage |
| Multimedia Features | DVD playback | Blu-ray playback, media streaming, web browsing |
