Home Gaming Xbox One’s eSRAM issue won’t be fixed–but it doesn’t matter

Xbox One’s eSRAM issue won’t be fixed–but it doesn’t matter

2 min read
90

Bottleneck

The Xbox One sports slower versions of essentially the same hardware as the PlayStation 4. the main differentiator though, is the custom eSRAM solution in the Xbox One to make up for the slower DDR3 memory. Right now, it’s a bottleneck that’s keeping games looking slightly worse on the Xbox One. It’s not going away – but there may be some impending workarounds.

The guys at Crytek are incredibly talented at making games that look incredible, but completely lack any soul. They did just that with Ryse for the Xbox One. It’s a visually sumptuous, and one of the nicest looking games of this new generation.

Crytek knows a thing or two about getting the Xbox One to shine, so the folks at Gaming bolt asked them about the eSRAM bottleneck, and whether or not the bottleneck would ever go away.

“I can’t speak to whether this will be patched or improved in the future, but I wouldn’t expect it as a developer,” Crytek’s US Engine Business Development Manager Sean Tracy said to GamingBolt.  “Game developers are masters at engineering workarounds to hardware limitations and I think you’ll see unique and novel technology developed just for such a purpose.”

Essentially, what he’s saying is that the physical limitations  in the Xbox One are set to stay. That’s pretty obvious, as you can’t upgrade console hardware. However, he does expect a bit of software wizardry to overcome those limitations.

Overall though, Crytek is pretty happy with both consoles, even though neither really offer all that much more raw horse-power than the previous generation of consoles.

“We are delighted with the updates to the next-gen hardware but of course always want more! The unified architecture of the APU’s allows us to easily leverage massive amounts of resources for all kinds of features including rendering, physics, animation and more. Though the PS4 and Xbox-One don’t offer an enormous jump over the previous generation in terms of raw processing power, the custom AMD APU’s within both platforms represent a huge leap forward in terms of integration and capability.

“This seems to us as a thin and very fast intercommunication layer between what used to be dealt with as separate chips (CPU and GPU). Practically this yields great results when used for re-projection techniques like reflections or occlusion as well as for massive compute shader calculations which we use for all our deferred lighting computation.”

So the new consoles are weak, yet powerful at the same time and the Xbox One is the weaker of the two, though that itself doesn’t matter. Okay then.

Last Updated: May 9, 2014

90 Comments

  1. Umar Returns

    May 9, 2014 at 08:33

    Xbone reminds me of Kanye West. Walking contradiction. Think his music is the sh*t when it’s nothing but sh*t

    http://i.perezhilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/but-but-im-the-best.gif

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 9, 2014 at 08:35

      Hahaha

      Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        May 9, 2014 at 08:43

        Bound by flame’s reviews are all over the place!! Ranging from 20% to 80%…..

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          May 9, 2014 at 08:46

          In Lagz we trust

          Reply

          • Umar Returns

            May 9, 2014 at 08:49

            True dat, but I doubt LG will give it a great score either, who knows. But it looks shite, seriously

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 08:51

            It has such a cool idea though!! It is getting hammered for its voice acting, but come on it is a B-Grade game. It would never have had great voice acting, they don’t have the money. And the combat is in narrow halls which is a shame!!

          • Hammersteyn

            May 9, 2014 at 08:55

            I am disappointed but I still hopeful for half a decent review. I can’t read or understand American so I will wait for then proper English Lagz review

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 08:56

            Hahaha!! Well I have been holding out hope that either this or Wolfenstein will be awesome…. So I only have Wolfenstein left!!

          • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

            May 9, 2014 at 08:57

            We haven;t received a copy…nor do we really want one. 😉

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 08:57

            Hahaha!!! Well played sir!!

          • Hammersteyn

            May 9, 2014 at 09:01

            Ooof that bad?

          • Umar Returns

            May 9, 2014 at 09:02

            But weren’t you excited(kinda) for this?

          • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

            May 9, 2014 at 09:04

            not /really/ I was hoping it would be good – but I thought it was always way too ambitious, with way too little budget.

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 09:05

            Budget smudget!! Lazygamer was started with a small budget and look at you now?!?!?! 🙂

          • hayted

            May 9, 2014 at 09:23

            They have built up a great following and community – but financially we must not forget that they got slapped with 1 lawsuit recently and we have to help them out financially. Unfortunately doing a site and job like this is more about passion than money – We must stand by our LG 🙂

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 10:26

            You are right!! But the community is here, and we are happy to help!! If 1 million people can vote EFF then Lazygamer can grow beyond measure, and hopefully make all 4 of them stinking rich, because c’mon everyone deserves it!!

          • hayted

            May 9, 2014 at 10:31

            Haha – for sure 🙂

          • Umar Returns

            May 9, 2014 at 09:08

            Ah, okay. Well I was hoping too. Well I guess this game is gonna be gathering…..cobwebs on the shelf. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH……………………………………..

          • Rincethis

            May 9, 2014 at 09:09

            Why no copy?

          • Umar Returns

            May 9, 2014 at 09:03

            Lol I love B-grade games, but the combat looks too sluggish

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 09:05

            Stop with the disappointment already!! I get it, it sucks!!!

          • Umar Returns

            May 9, 2014 at 09:05

            Lol sorry man, you have Fifa??

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 09:07

            Son of a &*$#%!!!! Fifa is fun, and keeps me very happy but I need to get my grove on with something that has a story line!! Maybe I will buy Far Cry 3 for my PS3 and give that a go!!

          • Hammersteyn

            May 9, 2014 at 09:08

            I wish we could get a rugby game with so much development effort as Fifa

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 09:09

            I would buy one in a heartbeat!! But alas we will get another crap remake of the Rugby 2008 for the next World Cup with dodgy player names and the exact same moves to chose from!!

          • Kromas

            May 9, 2014 at 09:16

            Still would not play it. 🙂

          • Hammersteyn

            May 9, 2014 at 09:28

            I would, I’m starved for a decent rugby game.

          • Kromas

            May 9, 2014 at 09:31

            If I want to play rugby I go outside and play rugby. Then again I am lazy and thus most likely won’t.

          • Hammersteyn

            May 9, 2014 at 09:46

            Hehe yeah, I had my fun in the sun, still miss my club rugby days.

          • GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness

            May 9, 2014 at 09:09

            Fun, repetitive and kinda story line?

            now you just admitted to playing COD …

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 09:11

            I have no fish in my house!! Maybe Hake, but definitely not COD…
            Not a FPS kinda guy, but my options are running out!! Might have to try COD sometime have never played even a minute of any one of them!!

          • Umar Returns

            May 9, 2014 at 09:12

            I know I know, no judgement lol…… 🙂 Go play Daylight

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            May 9, 2014 at 08:53

            I watched a couple of trailers last night. Combat looked rather dodgy to me, especially one where they demonstrated a backstab & the enemy died without the knife even touching him.

          • Umar Returns

            May 9, 2014 at 09:02

            LOL that is beyond dodgy! lol But yeah I was watching as well, looks extremely sluggish. I’m totally behind the idea of different stance though. Witcher ways

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 08:49

            I asked our resident Lazygamer reviewers if anyone of them will do a review and two answered in the negative, and the other two has not answered. Don’t think they are doing a review. Seems like it is perhaps a game we we will have to wait for a price drop!!

    • Rincethis

      May 9, 2014 at 08:53

      Haha! You’ve just made up for your girly Lightening comments today! HAHAHAH!

      Reply

      • Umar Returns

        May 9, 2014 at 08:57

        Lol Whatever, you don’t understand me 🙁 🙁 🙁

        Reply

    • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

      May 9, 2014 at 08:57

      looooooooooool

      Reply

    • oVg Errorist

      May 9, 2014 at 08:58

      • Umar Returns

        May 9, 2014 at 08:59

        Dude…that cat is fluffy as fuck…I want it

        Reply

        • oVg Errorist

          May 9, 2014 at 09:02

          Only if you pay an extra $99 than the competition because we all know you love fluffy 😛

          Reply

          • Umar Returns

            May 9, 2014 at 09:08

            LOL MS strategy summarized in one comment. We know all gamers love fluffy, I know you do too!

        • GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness

          May 9, 2014 at 09:05

          Looks more stoned …

          Reply

          • Rincethis

            May 9, 2014 at 09:06

            I thought so too, like ‘whoa, what is that’

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    May 9, 2014 at 08:43

    So are they going to be using the ESRAM, or bypassing it?

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      May 9, 2014 at 08:56

      Neither; they’re just going to use tricks to make it more efficient.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        May 9, 2014 at 09:00

        Like the cloud?

        Reply

        • DrKiller

          May 9, 2014 at 09:01

          I hope it does… Will currently perform best in CPT then 😉

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            May 9, 2014 at 09:01

            LOL!

  3. Kromas

    May 9, 2014 at 08:46

    You really want me to go there today don’t you.

    Reply

    • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

      May 9, 2014 at 08:56

      *DROOL*

      Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      May 9, 2014 at 09:01

      Crap chair. :/

      Reply

      • geelslang

        May 9, 2014 at 09:28

        …and messy cabling on the left

        Reply

    • oVg Errorist

      May 9, 2014 at 09:14

      But only filthy peasants game. The PC master race are far to busy swapping out over heated graphics cards and water cooled CPUs…

      Trololololol as I know 90% of LG readers are PC plods.

      Reply

      • Kromas

        May 9, 2014 at 09:16

        PC Master race motto I am ashamed to say is “If it works, it needs and upgrade”

        Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        May 9, 2014 at 09:35

        Or, like on Wednesday, a failing HDD. TOO SOON.

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 9, 2014 at 09:30

      Yeah, that’s how the “majority” of PC gamers setup looks….

      Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    May 9, 2014 at 08:48

    Every console is inferior to most gaming rigs. Doesn’t matter. Next gen is still awesome.

    *Tells boss he’s going home to play some games!

    Reply

    • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

      May 9, 2014 at 08:57

      *gets fired

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        May 9, 2014 at 08:59

        He told me if i leave now I don’t have to bother coming in on Monday. So I’ll go back Tuesday. LONG WEEKEND

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief in Space

          May 9, 2014 at 09:00

          Silver lining that!

          Reply

        • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

          May 9, 2014 at 09:11

          hahahahahaha

          Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        May 9, 2014 at 08:59

        *gets new job as game beta tester…. Oh wait PC gamers with Diablo!!

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          May 9, 2014 at 09:00

          Hahaha and TESO

          Reply

        • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

          May 9, 2014 at 09:12

          BOOM

          Reply

  5. oVg Errorist

    May 9, 2014 at 08:55

    Why would it matter? The PS4 is cheaper and more powerful.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 9, 2014 at 08:55

      But, but Kinect 🙁

      Reply

      • oVg Errorist

        May 9, 2014 at 09:10

        I wish this expensive menu interface would die already.

        Reply

    • Rincethis

      May 9, 2014 at 08:55

      And also, it isn’t an Xbone 😛

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        May 9, 2014 at 09:01

        • Jonah Cash

          May 9, 2014 at 09:03

          Hahahahaha!!!! How many times have I looked like this!!!????

          Reply

        • oVg Errorist

          May 9, 2014 at 09:12

          I love my Kinect

          Reply

          • Jonah Cash

            May 9, 2014 at 09:14

            Where???? In the fireplace!?!?!? Does it take long to burn or does it go quickly?

          • Hammersteyn

            May 9, 2014 at 09:29

            LOL Simple Jack

        • Umar Returns

          May 9, 2014 at 09:13

          • GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness

            May 9, 2014 at 09:17

            Mind you, that would be an AMAZING idea…

          • Hammersteyn

            May 9, 2014 at 09:31

            They tried DBZ Kinect, it sucked.

          • GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness

            May 9, 2014 at 09:54

            Tie it in with Oculus and a Haptic feedback suit…

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        May 9, 2014 at 09:02

        Oh snap!

        No Xbox, don’t snap! ARGH! WTF! No, I don’t WANT a pizza. Stop calling me Dave!

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          May 9, 2014 at 09:05

          I’m going to gift Pieter Kruger a dog called XBOX-OFF

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            May 9, 2014 at 09:05

            lol

        • Rincethis

          May 9, 2014 at 09:14

          LOL

          Reply

  6. MakeItLegal

    May 9, 2014 at 09:47

    eish , man xbone be taking some serious flak since launch

    I do some how feel , that the CPA will prevent the xbone from being lauched here

    #calledIt

    Reply

  7. Tauriq Moosa

    May 9, 2014 at 11:53

    >> “So the new consoles are weak, yet powerful at the same time and the Xbox One is the weaker of the two, though that itself doesn’t matter. Okay then.”

    Exactly how I read it. Dafuq, brah?

    Reply

  8. Deeboy

    May 9, 2014 at 19:02

    So the new consoles are weak, yet powerful at the same time and the Xbox One is the weaker of the two, though that itself doesn’t matter. Okay then.
    So where in the article does Crytek claim that the Xbox is the weaker of the two?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 9, 2014 at 19:40

      It doesn’t mention it in the article, but it’s common knowledge by now the the PS4 uses DDR5 ram whereas the Xbox uses DDR3

      Reply

      • Deeboy

        May 9, 2014 at 19:54

        Its common knowledge about the gddr5 vs ddr3 but what about esram plus tiled resources that’s currently not being used or cloud tech that’s in infancy. My point is we really don’t know. So why is it that gaming journalists are ready to die on the sword for an unknown? Its actually kind of silly to assume.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          May 9, 2014 at 20:23

          It’s not unknown, plus MS should have had the cloud ready by now. You don’t release a new console without having the cloud servers ready

          Reply

          • Deeboy

            May 9, 2014 at 20:32

            Bro they didn’t even have their SDKs ready. Sony had a full year over them in development. Which is good for Sony because they were more prepared. The impression I’m getting is that the Xbox is a bit more complex and requires more optimization than the PS4. I’ve never heard a developer say its less powerful but I have heard them say if tougher to get optimal performance.

  9. Charles - The Great and Powerf

    May 9, 2014 at 20:39

    No. XBox is the more powerful of the two. AND YOU’RE LAME. 🙂

    Reply

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