Recent speculation surrounding the PlayStation 5 Pro suggests potential performance shortcomings, especially when you compare it to what many think is its discrete GPU equivalent. According to expected specifications, the console’s GPU is set to fall short of the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT, a mid-range desktop GPU, or mid-to-high if we’re being generous.
While Sony has yet to officially confirm the exact specifications of the PS5 Pro, reliable sources within the gaming industry have provided insight into the console’s potential capabilities. So far, we know a few key features based on Sony’s initial reveal – with some big upgrades in the GPU department when comparing PS5 vs PS5 Pro, namely 67% more Compute Units and up to 45% faster rendering for gameplay.
PS5 Pro expected to deliver 33.5 TFLOPS
Now, it is already well-reported that the PS5 Pro will feature 60 Compute Units (based on uplift percentages in Sony’s announcement). This is the very same number as the RX 7800 XT, leading people to believe that the PS5 Pro will perform similarly. It does make it a GPU equivalent to the PS5 Pro, but this comparison is not exactly 1:1.
According to the table below sourced from Quasarzone, this could translate to the same Shading Units (3,840). However, a lower boost clock speed and nerfed memory could significantly affect the performance, placing the performance (measured in TFLOPS) below that of the RX 7700 XT. However, it is still expected to perform somewhere in between the two in reality.
When translated, the text beneath the table reads: “PS5 Pro: Estimated to have higher performance compared to the RX 7700 XT and lower performance than the RX 7800 XT due to the L2 cache/memory bandwidth advantage”. As one user online put it, “We got underclocked 7800XT before GTA 6”.
Potential reasons why
One of the primary factors contributing to the PS5 Pro’s potential underperformance could be its power consumption. As a compact console with a system-on-a-chip design, the PS5 Pro would have to adhere to strict power limits to ensure efficient gameplay and prevent overheating. These limitations may restrict the GPU’s clock speed, ultimately impacting its gaming performance.
If these numbers prove to be accurate, the PS5 Pro’s GPU performance could be a disappointment for gamers seeking a truly significant boost in their gaming experience. However, it’s important to note that these are preliminary estimates, and the final performance of the console may differ.
