Four years after the release of the PlayStation 5, Sony is offering a mid-generation console: the PS5 Pro. Intended to eliminate all compromises, it promises an ultra-high-definition gaming experience, without sacrificing fluidity. Although it’s not a generational leap, this new machine promises more computing power. Should you opt for the PS5 Pro, and is its price justified?
What’s new on the PS5 Pro?
The PS5 Pro uses AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture, like the standard PS5, but with 67% more compute units (CUs), bringing the total to 60 CUs. A significant increase on the 36 CUs of its smaller sibling. The idea behind this improvement is to reduce dependence on upscaling, which is widely used on most games, and to offer superior image quality. A welcome development for 4K gaming, at a time when there is a trend towards TVs measuring more than 65″ (164cm).
In terms of memory, the PS5 Pro retains its 16GB of GDDR6, but with 28% more bandwidth. This new console will therefore be able to process many operations more quickly, enabling a significant increase in the number of frames per second. On the most demanding titles, PlayStation claims a performance gain of 45%. Reading between the lines, we understand that the PS5 Pro is capable of delivering 4K at 60 fps, at the very least, even on the most recent games and without sacrificing graphics quality.
PSSR, a new upscaling technology
One of the most interesting features of the PS5 Pro is PlayStation Spatial Super Resolution (PSSR). This is PlayStation’s answer to Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR. This upscaling technology, based on artificial intelligence, greatly improves game performance at very high resolutions. Gran Turismo 7, for example, can run in 8K at 60 fps thanks to this technology.
Unlike conventional scaling methods, PSSR uses artificial intelligence algorithms to improve image quality. This produces sharper visuals without sacrificing performance, by filling in missing details more accurately. All the calculations for the game are carried out in a lower definition, with the PSSR then producing a 4K or 8K image. In practice, this enables ultra-high-definition gaming, with improved fluidity.
Games with enhanced performance
Some games are labeled “PS5 Pro Enhanced”: in concrete terms, they will run on the standard PS5, but will benefit from enhancements on the PS5 Pro. This also means that developers can add features such as new graphic quality or performance modes, exclusively for the PS5 Pro. This simple label makes it easy to spot titles that can maximize the potential of this new console.
The Game Boost feature, already present on the standard PS5, also benefits from the extra power of the PS5 Pro. PS4 and PS5 games that support VRR will see a significant increase in fps. This technology synchronizes the screen refresh rate with that of the GPU. In this configuration, certain games boost their framerates to offer the maximum number of frames per second, up to 120 fps. A feature that should benefit a very large catalog of titles.
Virtual reality enthusiasts will also be able to take advantage of the PS5 Pro’s improvements. The new console is still compatible with the PS VR2, and the performance boost also increases fps in VR games. The result is smoother images and reduced ghosting. This should also reduce the motion sickness inherent in using a virtual reality headset system, for even the most sensitive users.
Optimized ray tracing
The PS5 Pro also includes RDNA 4 features dedicated to ray tracing calculations. In addition to improving lighting and reflection effects in games, they also take the load off the GPU to achieve better performance. This prevents significant framerate drops, even with very demanding games. If the testimonials on the PlayStation Blog are anything to go by, developers are very enthusiastic about this new architecture.
In practice, games that exploit ray tracing on the PS5 Pro can run in 4K at 60 fps. With this new architecture, supported by PSSR, gamers no longer have to choose between graphics quality and performance. This console is a real evolution of the PS5, and should satisfy even the most demanding gamers.
Is the PS5 Pro too expensive?
When the PS5 Pro was announced, the €799.99 price tag provoked a great deal of complaints from gamers. Indeed, this is the most expensive machine in the history of consoles. However, it’s important to understand that it’s also a technological feat that allows you to play in optimal conditions. Looking back, all consoles made sacrifices to run the most ambitious games. With the PS5 Pro, this is no longer the case.
On social networks, people often compare this new console with the PC, explaining that it would be “too expensive”. On closer inspection, the PS5 Pro comes close to a configuration equipped with an RX 6800 graphics card, which can be found for around €400. Add to that all the other components required for such a configuration, and the price tag can quickly climb. Soon, a PC equivalent to a PS5 Pro is well over €1,000. Although this comparison doesn’t make much sense, as the uses are different, the price of the PS5 Pro is well justified.
One point that is often overlooked in this kind of comparison is the mastery of hardware. Indeed, PC configurations are varied, and developers struggle to optimize games for every possible scenario. Optimization is simplified on a single hardware, making the most of the PS5 Pro’s on-board technologies. The result is an impeccable stability on console that is not always found on PC.
Like the PS4 Pro, the PS5 Pro is clearly aimed at the most discerning PlayStation fans. It lets you enjoy the best that gaming has to offer, without compromise. It’s a relevant mid-generation evolution that extends PlayStation’s offering. Gamers can rest assured that the standard PlayStation 5 still has many years ahead of it. The PS5 Pro, however, is an interesting new option. All in all, PlayStation is offering gamers another option, and that’s good news!
