Nintendo Nintendo 64 vs SEGA Saturn
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NintendoNintendo 64 | SEGASaturn | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | March 1997 | July 1995 |
| Performance | ||
| Type | Home console | Home console |
| CPU | NEC VR4300 (64-bit), 93.75 MHz | 2 × Hitachi SH-2, 28.6 MHz |
| GPU | SGI Reality Coprocessor (RCP), 62.5 MHz | SEGA VDP1 and VDP2 |
| Memory | 4 MB (better) | 4 MB |
| Disc drive | No | Yes |
| CPU | NEC VR4300 (MIPS R4300 family, 64-bit) at 93.75 MHz | Two Hitachi SH-2 at 28.6 MHz (25 MIPS each); Motorola 68EC000 at 11.3 MHz for sound |
| GPU | Reality Coprocessor at 62.5 MHz, with signal and display processors for graphics and audio | VDP1 (sprites and polygons) and VDP2 (backgrounds); up to 16.77 million colours; up to 5 scroll planes; flat and Gouraud shading |
| Memory detail | 4 MB Rambus RDRAM, shared; 8 MB with the Expansion Pak | 16 Mbit (2 MB) work RAM, 12 Mbit (1.5 MB) video RAM; separately 4 Mbit sound RAM, 4 Mbit CD buffer and 256 Kbit backup RAM |
| Storage detail | Nintendo 64 Game Paks (cartridges); some games save on the cartridge, others on a Controller Pak | Double-speed CD-ROM drive; saves in internal backup RAM (battery-backed) |
| Storage expansion | Memory expansion slot (Expansion Pak); Controller Pak slot in each controller | Cartridge slot (backup memory, RAM expansion); communication expansion port |
| Display and video | ||
| Maximum output | 576i | – |
| Built-in screen | No built-in screen | No built-in screen |
| Video output | Multi AV out with composite video; some PAL revisions also support S-Video with the correct cable, but stock consoles do not output RGB; up to 576i on PAL consoles | A/V out; 320 × 224 and others |
| Audio | Stereo audio mixed by the Reality Signal Processor | 32-channel PCM or FM sound (16-bit, up to 44.1 kHz) with audio DSP |
| Design and power | ||
| Weight | 1,100 g | – |
| Power use | Power supply provides 12 V and 3.3 V DC | About 15 W (Japanese model HST-3210, 100 V) |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 4 × controller ports, Multi AV out, memory expansion slot, extension port underneath | 2 × control ports, A/V out, cartridge slot, communication expansion port |
| Controller | Nintendo 64 controller with analogue Control Stick, Z trigger and Controller Pak slot | Control Pad with D-pad, six face buttons, L, R and Start |
