Kevin i'm aware that Higher Clock != Higher Speed, although Intel would've loved people to believe this in the past.
That's kinda the point i'm trying convey here;
And it's not that i don't believe that when they cross platform they optimise for that platform; but what Magellan is trying to say is that the X-Box isn't optimised and the other consoles must optimise just to keep up.
Which is quite frankly crap, they're all optimised; You want a damn good example of this:
Splinter Cell: X-Box 30FPS @ Standard 4:3 PAL 60Hz, on a PC of the same specs (as i have one) 800x600 (cause you can't do PAL resolutions) it get 20FPS @ 60Hz.
There is obviously optimising going on, as would be with any console release because you don't have to cater to the spectrum of hardware; but really all the games are optimised on all platforms.
Megellan FYI, I happen to have a 1024i HDTV Widescreen 32"...
I have an X-Box and GameCube hooked upto it; through the PC (using my FX 5950) it is possible to measure the input of frames being sent...
HDTVs 'should' be running in progressive scan mode (but the X-Box doesn't actually support this so best to bypass);
I have 007 for both consoles (borrowing the XB version from next door) ... Firstly, this game doesn't jump to HDTV; unlike the GC not all games for the XB will use it.
Next thing to note is that the XB also doesn't give you a choice in what PAL mode you run 50Hz or 60Hz (for the HDTV isn't a problem but that isn't the TV i have in my room, so alot of games are unplayable)
Boot up the game they should be relatively equal in speed... only a strange thing is;
XB - 25-35fps
GC - 50fps (locked)
Remember there is a HUGE difference in resolution!
Next test for the GC is a game I know slows down on HDTV mode (the only game to infact) ... Bill Hatcher.
Now running around the early levels with around 5-10enemies onscreen at once, and relatively basic levels the FPS is locked at 60.
Even getting a little further it wavers with 20 onscreen to 55FPS, but nothing you actually notice...
The only point it drops FPS and noticeably, is at the very end level right at the top of the Giant Egg Tower; Onscreen are around 60 enemies and the FPS drops to 25FPS (this is still quicker than some XB titles i've played like Baulder Gate: Dark Alliance 2).
The enemies in Billy Hatcher are around 2,500 polygons each; and the levels althought not really polygon intensive this section of the game I'd reckon the on-screen was around 15,000-16,000.
At a standard 4:3 PAL resolution there is no slowdown a pure 50/60FPS (depending on the TV); but the HDTV ups this.
What is more impressive about this is your shifting around 5,000,000polygons/sec all textured + shaders with 4X Anti-Aliasing.
Hell I wish the desktop i'm using right now could push that!
The Future Looks Bright, The Future Looks Like a Short Fat Plumber From The Bronx