Quote Originally Posted by Cinder6 View Post
The Gamecube was in the middle of the three. Much faster processor, more RAM, higher FLOPS, etc. Although, looking at it now, the PS2 apparently has 16 pixel pipelines, compared to the Gamecube's 4. I think what happened was that the PS2's GS (graphics card) had more raw power, but the Gamecube had more memory, and was thus able to do more and produce better-looking stuff.
The Gamecube could apply 8 textures per pass, while the PS2 could apply only one, so, if the clock rate of both were the same, the Cube could apply two times as much textures as the PS2.

If there is one spec where the Gamecube (and Wii) is severely lacking, that would be pixel fillrate. The Gamecube just can't push as many pixels as the PS2 or Xbox (GC 648Mpixels/s, Wii 972, Xbox 932, PS2 2400).

In fact, I think that pixel fillrate constrains is one of the causes of the letterbox mode found in RE4. In a game with such rich textures and high color depth, pixel fillrate would be constrained, so they limited the visible area on the screen. It's supposed to be a 480p game, but taking out the black bars it's more like 400p or something.

In reality, where the Cube stands varies from game to game. Most of the time it sits just between the PS2 and Xbox, some times it comes out on top of the three and sometimes it's in the bottom.