For those curious about the hardware under the hood of the PlayStation 5, or now the Pro, or even considering alternatives for their gaming setup, a common question arises: What GPU out there is similar to or even better than the one packed into the PS5?
The PS5 is perfect for those seeking a hassle-free gaming experience as soon as it’s out of the box. However, if you’re someone who values versatility and wants a system capable of handling various tasks beyond gaming, then a PC might be more suited to your needs. Fortunately, if you’re on the hunt for a graphics card that can deliver performance comparable to the PS5, you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at GPUs that are equivalent to the PS5 and PS5 Pro so you can make an informed decision about your next graphics card.
Quick Answer
The RTX 2070 and the RTX 5700 XT offer similar performance to the PS5 in 1080 gaming, while the RTX 4060 Ti, RX 7700 XT, and RTX 3080 are better for 1440p and 4K gaming.
As for the PS5 Pro, the uplift in CUs would put it more on par with the RX 6800 or 7800 XT spec-wise. Similar to the RTX 3080 or 4070 Super.
What GPU does the PS5 Pro have?
According to the Sony release, the PS5 Pro’s GPU is larger than the previous, with a 67% uplift in compute units, and 28% faster than the Oberon chip in the original. That would put it at 60 CUs, with 3,840 stream processors, along with an uplift to about 570GB/s memory bandwidth.
We don’t know yet the full extent of the specs of the chip but have been told of its improvements. Along with improvements to the ray tracing and performance capabilities thanks to the PSSR introduction as well. Interestingly as well, the Pro chip might be upgrading the RDNA 3 architecture leading to the promised improvements to fidelity and framerate at the same time.
What PC GPU is equivalent to the PS5 Pro?
If we’re talking comparable in the specs, then the PS5 Pro’s GPU has a very similar setup to the RX 6800 for RDNA 2 or RX 7800 XT if it is indeed on RDNA 3 instead. Since they have the same compute units and stream processors that the uplift Sony said it gave the chip. However, it won’t use those exactly as the console processor has its own version and the likely memory and rest of the chip will provide a different performance level, especially with the optimizations that is platform has. We outline some of the options that might provide the best equivalent options while we get to know the upgraded option more.
RX 7800 XT
A later addition to AMD’s lineup, our RX 7800 XT review shows it to be quite the capable card. It has the equivalent specs to the PS5 Pro but being a discrete GPU, it’s likely to spar with the Pro quite well. It offers up the Navi 32 XT chip, with 16GB of GDDR6 memory with 256-bit memory providing a bandwidth of 624GB/s.
Along with a clock rate boosting up to 2,430MHz but a game clock of 2,124MHz it has a potential to reach a TDP of 263W. That might be quite a lot for the console to deal with as the current one is rated for 180W. That may mean the Pro has gotten a bit of a cooling upgrade as well if the GPU is on the RDNA 3 level.
Either way, the graphics card is capable of pushing 4k performance but largely focused on 1440p and has the bells and whistles of AMD software and boosts like RSR that you can find on the PS5 Pro as well. Gives you the ability to boost performances all around too if you need it.
- GPU: Navi 32
- Stream Processors: 3,840
- VRAM: 16 GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Bandwidth: 624.1 GB/sec
- Base clock speed: 1,295 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2,430 MHz
RX 4070 Super
If you’re after the Nvidia equivalent, then the RTX 4070 Super is on par with the AMD GPU. It is a more expensive version, but arguably some prefer the proficiencies in CUDA cores and ray tracing ability of the architecture compared to Radeon’s possibilities. Still, with a great capability at 1440p and pushing 4k once again, with DLSS 3 below its belt, it is a strong option too.
Inside it, you get the AD104-350 GPU with 7,168 CUDA cores with 56 SMs and 56 RT cores. Along with 12GB of GDDR6X memory totaling a bandwidth of 504GB/s. With the ability to clock up to 2,475MHz and a TDP of 220W, it is a strong option too if not for the price. But it still may appeal to you as it is quite a lot on offer ZX and likely on par with the PS5 Pro’s potential.
- GPU: AD104
- CUDA cores: 7,168
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 504 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 192-bit
- Boost clock speed: 2595 MHz
What graphics card does the PS5 have?
The PS5 features an advanced GPU solution by AMD known as the Oberon graphics processor, which was released on November 12th, 2020. It is built on a 7nm process, and its variant, the CXD90044GB, does not support DirectX. The Oberon GPU is based on the RDNA 2 architecture and is quite a large chip boasting a die area of 308 mm² and 10,600 million transistors. It offers 2,304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 64 ROPs.
This GPU works efficiently while running demanding software due to its 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM memory, connected through a 256-bit memory interface. The GPU operates at 2,233 MHz, and the memory runs at 1,750 MHz (14Gbps effective). However, do keep in mind that the PS5’s VRAM isn’t like the one found in a PC’s GPU, as its GPU is built into the CPU and uses the regular RAM as VRAM. In other words, a PC GPU’s 16GB GDDR6 VRAM is much more powerful than that of the PS5.
What PC GPU is equivalent to the PS5?
The PS5 competes with high-end gaming graphics solutions, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30/40 series and the AMD Radeon RX 6000/7000 series GPUs. These GPUs are designed for high-performance gaming and support advanced graphics technologies such as real-time ray tracing and AI-based features.
The exact comparison between the PS5 GPU and other GPUs would depend on the specific models and their respective specifications, as well as their real-world performance. We’ve tested several GPUs and have found some options that we think are equivalent or better than the PS5.
RTX 2070
Though the RTX 2070 is considered an older model now, its performance still holds up well. Featuring 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM and a 256-bit memory interface, alongside base and boost clocks of 1,410 MHz and 1,620 MHz, respectively, it offers a solid gaming experience. While it excels at handling games at 1440p and 1080p resolutions, it may struggle a bit with the graphics-intensive titles.
Despite being a few years old, the RTX 2070 remains a solid option due to its affordability. It’s often priced at nearly half the cost of a PS5, making it a great choice for those who are on a budget. However, it’s important to consider that building a PC around the RTX 2070 requires additional investment in other components such as a CPU, motherboard, RAM, and storage, which can add up in cost. On the other hand, the PS5 offers a convenient plug-and-play experience, ready for gaming right out of the box.
Ultimately, whether you choose the RTX 2070 or the PS5 depends on your priorities and preferences. If you’re looking for affordability and are willing to invest in building a PC, the RTX 2070 offers great value for gaming. However, if you prefer the simplicity and convenience of a dedicated gaming console, the PS5 provides a hassle-free gaming experience straight out of the box.
- Clock speed: 1830 Mhz
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Width: 3 slot
- Length: 300mm
- Ports: 2x Display Port. 2x HDMI 2.0, USB -C VR
RX 5700 XT
If you want something from AMD but in the price range of the RTX 2070, then we’d recommend the RX 5700 XT. This card is perfect for those who prioritize 1080p and 1440p gaming but aren’t considering a PS5 just yet. Like the RTX 2070, the RX 5700 XT packs 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM with a 256-bit memory interface. However, its boost and base clock speeds are slightly better, set at 1,605 MHz and 1,905 MHz, respectively.
The RX 5700 XT also delivers great performance at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions. On top of that, its competitive pricing makes it an attractive alternative to the RTX 2070, providing similar performance without breaking the bank. Similar to the RTX 2070, building a PC around the RX 5700 XT requires additional components such as a compatible CPU, motherboard, RAM, and storage. However, if you’re willing to invest in assembling a gaming rig, the RX 5700 XT offers great value for its performance.
- Clock Speed: 1905 MHz
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Width: 3-Slot
- Length: 280 mm
- Ports: 3 DP, 1 HDMI
RTX 4060 Ti / RX 7700 XT
If you want something that is almost similar or even a little better than the PS5, then we’d recommend opting for either the RX RTX 4060 Ti or the RX 7700 XT. Both cards perform exceptionally well in 1440p gaming, even when the graphical settings are set to high. The RX 7700 XT comes with 12 GB of GDDR6 VRAM and a 192-bit memory interface. On the other hand, the RTX 4060 Ti has two variants: 8 GB and 16 GB. And for this guide, we’re comparing the 16 GB variant with the PS5.
While the base and boost clock speeds may vary between the two cards, either one is a solid choice if you’re looking for an alternative to the PS5. However, it’s worth noting that if you’re planning to do 4K gaming, the PS5 might be the better option. This is because, in our RTX 4060 Ti review and RX 7700 XT review, both cards delivered great 1440p gaming performance but struggled at 4K resolution.
RTX 3080
Finally, for those who want to play games at 4K resolution, you’d want to check out the RTX 3080. We would’ve recommended the RTX 4080 or RTX 4080 Super, but they are expensive, and it won’t make sense to compare them with a PS5.
When coupled with the right components, the RTX 3080 outshines the PS5 in terms of performance. In our RTX 3080 review, we discovered that this GPU is a powerhouse for 4K gaming and continues to deliver exceptional performance even after four years on the market. Its ability to handle demanding games at high resolutions makes it a top choice for those who want a card for 4K gaming.
When it comes to the cost, you can get a used RTX 3080 for the same price as a brand-new PS5. So, if you’re willing to invest a little more in the other components, you can get a solid 4K gaming experience with the RTX 3080 installed in your system.
- GPU: GA102
- CUDA cores: 8,704
- VRAM: 10GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 760.3 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 320-bit
- Base clock speed : 1440 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 1905 MHz
Wrapping up
This was everything you needed to know about GPUs that are equivalent to a PS5 and PS5 Pro. In our guide, we’ve listed options that match its performance or are better than it. Hopefully, you can now make an informed decision about your next GPU.
