PS5 Pro vs RTX 4070 Super – how do they compare?

Sony’s next console iteration is here. The PS5 Pro has now launched, and the gaming community is hyped to see how it performs with its beefed-up hardware. The PS5 Pro offers 4K 120FPS with performance mode, which leads to many asking the question: how does it fare against the PS5, and how much is the performance difference between the RTX 4070 Super and the PS5 Pro? 

We’ve already seen the PS5 Pro vs. PS5 debate answered, and this time around, we’ll compare the console to the mid-range discrete GPU to see which can pull more FPS. That said, comparing a console with a GPU is a bit complex, but with the help of some calculations, we can make an educated attempt, so without further ado, let’s get right to it. 

PlayStation 5 Pro

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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Gigabyte RTX 4080 Super Windforce V2

GPU

AD103

CUDA Cores

10,240

VRAM

16GB GDDR6X

Bandwidth

736.3 GB/s

Memory bus width

256-bit

Base clock speed

2295 MHz

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How do they vary? 

First, according to Sony, the PS5 Pro has received significant buffs. It features 67% more compute units and 28% faster memory, which results in 45% faster gameplay rendering. We can take the PS5’s hardware specifications and apply these percentages to find out how many compute units and memory the PS5 Pro has. 

According to Techpowerup, the PS5 has 36 compute units and 2,304 sharing units. So, 67% more compute units would be around 60, with the sharing increasing to 3,840 and 570GB/s memory bandwidth. 

So, if these numbers are correct and we know that the PlayStation 5 Pro uses AMD chips, 3,840 shading units would put its performance around the RX 6800, that is, if it uses an RDNA 2 GPU. However, according to multiple sources, the PS5 Pro could use an RDNA 3-based GPU, which means the RX 7800 XT.

While this is not a direct one-on-one comparison, it can help us gauge how it might perform. We can also pit the RX 7800 XT against the RTX 4070 Super, as we’ve reviewed both. The RTX 4070 Super has 7,168 CUDA cores and a 504 GB/s memory bandwidth. So, the PS5 Pro could have more bandwidth, but if that’ll be enough to outshine the 4070 Super, we’ll see.  

Performance expectations

Since we’ve tested and reviewed both of these graphics cards in-house, we can compare their 4K performance in similar titles. We also conduct these tests natively, meaning that no AI upscaling technologies are used. 

We can see that despite potentially having a higher bandwidth, the RX 7800 XT can’t keep up with the RTX 4070 Super in 4K performance. While these figures are more than playable, we can also factor in DLSS 3 and FSR 3, as they can take the in-game performance to the next level, something we hope PSSR will do. If you’re wondering the difference between PSSR and DLSS, we’ve got you covered. 

Final word

Comparing a console to a gaming PC is like comparing a 600cc and 2000cc superbike; they are both optimized to get the job done but at different levels. The PS5 Pro can run games, while a gaming PC can do much more but also costs a whole lot more, and you have to build one unless you buy a pre-built one. 

It is the same case with the PS5 Pro vs. the RTX 4070 Super, as one is a full-sized discrete GPU, and the other is a gaming console with a smaller and optimized GPU. So, it isn’t surprising that the discrete GPU has better performance, but the main factor to consider is what works for you. 

Do you want a hassle-free gaming experience? Go for the PS5 Pro. If you know or are willing to learn about the technicalities of PC gaming, go for that, and you’ll never look back. Each platform serves a purpose and has its pros and cons.