[GrandMasterBirt]

Wait, hoops? DRM???? Where have you been for the last month.

However, to not cause flaimbait, there are technologies such as http://unlimiteddetailtechnology.com/ which look promising potentially making this "# of polygons" issue moot.

Don't forget the overhead that comes with windows and direct x. It is quite known that these things do cause a reduction of power.

ALSO with PS3's fully known hardware, sony optimizes IT and developers optimize FOR IT. They know exactly what limitations exist in which parts of the hardware. Because flaws and advantages in the hardware can be directly exploited certain optimizations are possible ONLY on consoles. Parts are specifically chosen and the OS is designed to do it and get out of the way. They can create a new OS for each console and not worry about legacy, making the best of optimizations not possible in OSes that must support legacy programs. The older PS3 had PS2 hardware to run PS2 games. The new PS3 does not. The point is everything on these consoles is crafted to specifically target that exact console and nothing but.