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PS5 Pro vs PS5 – how the upgrade compares to the original

Should you wait for the PS5 Pro or buy a PS5 now?
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PS5 Pro vs PS5 – how the upgrade compares to the original
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After being what can only be described as an open secret for a while, Sony has officially announced the PS5 Pro, the console's in-generation refresh that claims to offer up to 45% faster rendering for gameplay. Sony gave us all a rundown on what the new console offers in its recent technical presentation, hosted by Mark Cerny, the ‘lead architect‘ for recent PlayStation consoles.

The supercharged PS5 has now launched and we’ve reviewed the PS5 Pro in depth here at PC Guide. We’ve gathered all the information about the PS5 Pro and compared it against the PS5 to help you determine if you want to make the upgrade.

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PlayStation 5 Pro

PlayStation 5 Pro box, Image by PC Guide

CPU

8 core / 16 thread AMD Zen 2

GPU

RDNA-based graphics engine

Memory

16GB GDDR6

RAM

2GB DDR5

Storage

2TB SSD

TDP

390W

WiFi standard

WiFi 7

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PlayStation 5 (disc version)

CPU

8 Cores / 16 Threads AMD Zen 2

GPU

RDNA 2-based graphics engine

Memory

16GB GDDR6

Shading units

2,304

Storage

1TB

TDP

180W

Bandwidth

448GB/s

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PS5 Pro upgrades

According to the PlayStation Blog, PS5 Pro offers three key upgrades that make it perform substantially better than the original PS5. This was also demonstrated in the technical presentation (video down below), showing off games such as The Last of Us Part II and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. Here’s what Sony calls “the big three” upgrades:

Upgraded GPU

The PS5 Pro’s GPU is larger than the original and offers 67% more Compute Units. Additionally, it is fitted with 28% faster memory, both details of which work in tandem to deliver 45% faster rendering for gameplay.

Advanced Ray Tracing

Next up is ray tracing, something that Sony seems keen to improve on the new console. They say that rays can be cast at double (and at times, triple) the speeds of the vanilla PS5.

PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR)

Finally, there’s the introduction of PSSR – Sony’s very own upscaling technology. This is Sony’s answer to the likes of DLSS, FSR, and XeSS, delivering “AI-Driven Upscaling” that will help provide sharper image quality without a hit on performance. We’ve already done a comparison of PSSR vs DLSS if you want to learn more about it.

Source: PlayStation

PS5 Pro vs PS5 specs and performance

The PS5 Pro, although not 100% confirmed by Sony, is likely using RDNA 3 graphics processing; as reported by sources such as Wccftech and PCGamer. Based on the 67% more Compute Units (CUs) value detailed by Sony, this would suggest that the PS5 Pro offers 60 CUs on AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture. This is an upgrade from the original PS5’s 36 CUs on RDNA 2.

On the CPU side of things though, the PS5 Pro is still fitted with a Zen 2-based 8-core chip. As per Sony’s announcements, it’s the console’s GPU that is getting all the upgrades instead. Regardless, for gamers, this means existing titles struggling to maintain 60 FPS could see significant performance improvements, especially for games that leverage ray-tracing technology such as:

  • Hitman 3
  • Cyberpunk 2077
  • Grand Theft Auto 5
  • Elden Ring

In the technical presentation above, we can see a demonstration of The Last of Us Part II running on PS5 Pro at a targeted 60FPS, while benefitting from “fidelity levels of detail” rather than the Performance mode you’d have to use on the PS5 to achieve a similar level of performance. These enhancements translate to higher frame rates, more detailed graphics, and a richer gaming experience, setting a new benchmark for console graphics performance.

SpecificationPS5 (Current)PS5 ProNotes
CPUAMD Zen 2 (8-core)AMD Zen 2 (8-core)
GPU36CUs RDNA 2 (10.28 TFLOPs)60 CUs TDNA 3 (TFLOPS unknown)Significant boost in graphical power, key for higher resolutions and frame rates
RAM16 GB GDDR6 256-bit16 GB GDDR6 256-bit
Memory Bandwidth448 GB/s (14 Gbps)576 GB/s (18 Gbps)Based on Sony’s 28% faster memory claim
Storage & Disc Drive825 GB SSD, Disc Drive included2TB SSD, Disc Drive sold separatelyMore space for those massive game installs, but the Pro is a disc-less console
PS5 vs PS5 Pro specs table, source: Wccftech

8K resolution potential

The PS5 Pro’s support for 8K gaming represents an ambitious leap forward. While true 8K gaming may seem far-fetched currently, especially considering the scarcity of 8K displays and the immense processing power required, this capability indicates Sony’s commitment to future-proofing its console and pushing the boundaries of 4K gaming performance.

The introduction of 8K readiness suggests that the PS5 Pro will excel in delivering high frame rates at 4K resolution, potentially making it a significant upgrade over the PS5 in terms of performance and future compatibility.

Frame generation

In PC gaming, Nvidia GPUs offer DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling); this utilizes AI to upscale lower-resolution images to higher resolutions without a significant hit to performance. This means games can run at a lower native resolution but be upscaled to look as if they’re running at a higher resolution, effectively improving frame rates and visual fidelity. This is what the newly-introduced PSSR for PS5 Pro does. However, DLSS 3 comes with one bigger bonus: frame generation.

Frame generation uses AI to boost framerate by predicting the next frame and inserting an AI-generated frame in between, essentially as a form of interpolation. While the introduction of PSSR hasn’t brought along any frame generation with it, AMD FSR 3 is capable of frame generation in supported titles on the PS5 Pro, much like it was on the regular PS5. Since both consoles use an AMD GPU, this can be utilized via FSR 3.

PS5 Pro games factor

The PS5 Pro raises exciting possibilities for how we play both upcoming games and existing PS4 favorites.

PS5 Pro Game Boost

PS5’s backwards compatibility for PS4 titles is already impressive. But the Pro unlocks further potential. Sony has announced ‘PS5 Pro Game Boost’ which applies to “more than 8,500 backward compatible PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro”. They say that this feature “may stabilize or improve the performance of supported PS4 and PS5 games” and that select PS4 games will be getting improved resolution.

Going forward, several games will also be patched and tagged as ‘PS5 Pro Enhanced’ to mark compatibility with the Pro’s new features. At the time of writing, Sony provides the following list (and ends it with ‘and more’):

  • Alan Wake 2
  • Assassin's Creed: Shadows
  • Demon's Souls
  • Dragon's Dogma 2
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Gran Turismo 7
  • Hogwarts Legacy
  • Horizon Forbidden West
  • Marvel's Spider-Man 2
  • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
  • The Crew Motorfest
  • The First Descendant
  • The Last of Us Part II Remastered

PSVR2’s potential unleashed

PSVR2 provides a significant leap over the original PSVR. However, VR demands high resolutions and frame rates to deliver a comfortable and immersive experience. The PS5 Pro might be the key to pushing PSVR2 capabilities to their maximum. Expect smoother rendering in demanding titles, the potential for increased visual complexity, and games designed from the ground up to harness the increased power of a Pro system.

Important considerations

  • Game Developers: Developers will need to optimize titles to take full advantage of the PS5 Pro’s hardware. This might not be a universal improvement across the board.
  • Optional, Not Mandatory: Don’t anticipate games becoming unplayable on the standard PS5. Even with upgrades, developers will keep the vast PS5 install base in mind.
  • Balancing Act: PS5 Pro enhancements shouldn’t come at a cost to the overall game design if the original PS5 hardware was the primary platform during development.

PS5 Pro vs PS5 price and release date

We can now throw speculation out of the window regarding the PS5 Pro price and release date. We’ve arranged everything you need to know in the table below. Sony did release Slim versions of the original console around the same time last year (2023), in case you’re interested.

PS5PS5 Digital EditionPS5 Pro
Release dateNovember 19th, 2020November 19th, 2020November 7th, 2024
Price$499$399$699

Furthermore, you can consider the PS5 Pro to be a ‘Digital Edition’ itself – as it does not come with a disc drive. That is sold separately, as is the vertical stand.

Conclusion

The PS5 Pro, with its enhancements, should stand as a compelling upgrade for those seeking the pinnacle of console gaming, especially for high-end gamers yet to own a PS5. However, it hasn’t had the most welcome reaction from fans – many of which are focusing on its high price point and the need for optional extras such as the disc drive even its vertical stand. However, the performance and visual quality improvements should make it an attractive option to some.

However, current PS5 owners should carefully consider their gaming needs and the tangible benefits of upgrading. Ultimately, the PS5 Pro is there to redefine gaming excellence, making it a worthy consideration for gamers aiming for the highest standards.

About the Author

Maria is a contributer to PC Guide, highly-interested in productivity and AI tools, and ensuring the inclusion of detailed product info and coverage across versus pieces.