Control's Photo Mode Reveals Xbox Series X Performance Boost Over PS5

This is without using the next-gen optimisations like Sampler Feedback, VRS Tier 2, DirectML, XVA. Will be a smooth 60fps experience if it gets optimised properly.

It was a fascinating video. It also makes me wonder if one more RT feature could have been implemented besides reflections like Diffuse lighting - especially given the overhead available.

From the Nvidia side (according to Control performance guide on it's website), RT Diffuse lighting cuts in a maximum of about 16% to the framerate.

Now, that is Nvidia which doesn't directly correlate to the AMD side, and I know this is a paused image. So if the lowest framerate uncapped drops down to about 40fps at it's worst with everything going, there is still a little bit of room for a 25% drop in framerate and still be above 30fps (lowest would be 32 fps).

It is possible that the RT acceleration features of these consoles can only handle one RT feature, but part of me feels like at least 1 more RT feature could have been enabled for at least for Series X.

This makes me feel they could had removed the framerate cap if the game detected the screen supports Variable Frame Rate on the Xbox. Or hell, scaling resolution and 60fps with raytracing could had been a thing had they not forced the Xbox to be on pair with PS5 settings.

Turns out one console is holding games back, and it's not the Series S, it's the PS5.

I platinumed Control on PS4 Pro and loved it. Got it in the sale around Christmas on Series X so I’ll check it out soon.

I think as time goes on we’ll see more situations similar to hitman 3 with devs taking advantage of the Series X higher specs. I think right now PS5 is easier to develop for, as devs get more familiar with the Series X we’ll start seeing more advantages imo.

@tharsman I agree. Or at the very least do a 1080 60fps mode with ray tracing even if the ps5 doesn’t get the same mode.

It’s a weird one this. Performance in photo mode was definitely better on series X but digital foundry also found that playing on series X had frame pacing issues that causes regular stuttering during play. Oddly same on Series S supposedly. I now have on both machines and playing on PS5 as juddering is a big no no for me. But if they could fix this and unlock frame rate with RT on then great.
Strange I’ve not seen that info on Pure Xbox. It’s like they’ve only picked out the good things about Control and not the full picture? “Better than PS5 for photos and theoretical play through, worse for actual play through”.
It does show what could be achieved though, probably for first party going forwards. There is potential there but no one seems to be getting it yet?

@Tharsman I think your argumentation is misplaced. PS5 runs the game slower, yes, but that isn’t preventing anyone from anything. What is holding things back is the amount of dev resources they want to put into the ultimate edition, not the “other team’s” hardware. As said in the DF video they could lower the resolution or use VRR and it would be fine on either system. They could customize the modes per system too. It just costs to do that. It’s a bit disappointing they didn’t/probably won’t as the Performance mode fps are just so much better for this kind of game — for me — ray tracing is out.

@StonyKL
Yeah.
Although, PS5 also has uneven frame pacing but Series X is by far worse due to some bug that causes stutter whenever text appears on screen.
I've played on both and so far PS5 is better simply due to not having that bug.
I can only assume PS5 was lead platform and they ported over to Series X, hence the issues.
Obviously this photo mode shows that Series X has more raw grunt power and potentially better RT performance, but devs just aren't tapping into it right now bar a few games.