SEGA Dreamcast vs SEGA Saturn
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| SEGADreamcast | SEGASaturn | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 1999 | July 1995 |
| Performance | ||
| Type | Home console | Home console |
| CPU | Hitachi SH-4, 200 MHz | 2 × Hitachi SH-2, 28.6 MHz |
| GPU | NEC PowerVR2 DC | SEGA VDP1 and VDP2 |
| Memory | 24 MB (better) | 4 MB |
| Disc drive | Yes | Yes |
| CPU | SH4 128-bit graphics-engine RISC CPU at 200 MHz, 360 MIPS, 1.4 GFLOPS | Two Hitachi SH-2 at 28.6 MHz (25 MIPS each); Motorola 68EC000 at 11.3 MHz for sound |
| GPU | PowerVR2 DC, over 3 million polygons per second; bump mapping, fog, alpha blending, mip mapping, trilinear filtering, anti-aliasing, environment mapping | VDP1 (sprites and polygons) and VDP2 (backgrounds); up to 16.77 million colours; up to 5 scroll planes; flat and Gouraud shading |
| Memory detail | 16 MB main memory, 8 MB texture (video) memory, 2 MB sound memory | 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 | GD-ROM drive (about 1 GB per disc), up to 12× speed; saves on the VMU (Visual Memory) | Double-speed CD-ROM drive; saves in internal backup RAM (battery-backed) |
| Storage expansion | – | Cartridge slot (backup memory, RAM expansion); communication expansion port |
| Display and video | ||
| Maximum output | 480p | – |
| Built-in screen | No built-in screen | No built-in screen |
| Video output | AV out (composite, S-Video, RGB SCART); 640 × 480 progressive VGA through a separately sold adaptor, in supported games (ConsoleMods) | A/V out; 320 × 224 and others |
| Audio | Super Intelligent Sound Processor with a 32-bit RISC CPU, 64 channels PCM/ADPCM | 32-channel PCM or FM sound (16-bit, up to 44.1 kHz) with audio DSP |
| Design and power | ||
| Power use | – | About 15 W (Japanese model HST-3210, 100 V) |
| Weight | 1,500 g | – |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 4 × controller ports, AV out, serial port, removable 33.6 kbit/s modem (SEGA hardware outline) | 2 × control ports, A/V out, cartridge slot, communication expansion port |
| Controller | Dreamcast controller with analogue stick, analogue triggers and two slots for the VMU and other expansion units | Control Pad with D-pad, six face buttons, L, R and Start |
