With the holiday 2020 slowly closing in, consumers are eagerly awaiting the official release date of the PlayStation 5. With two next-gen consoles on the horizon, the long-held competition between Sony and Microsoft is getting more and more heated. However, home consoles are not the only way that players can experience some of the upcoming titles by both companies. PC gaming can provide the same, if not better, gameplay experience than next-gen systems.
During the Future of Gaming event back in June, Sony unveiled an impressive list of PlayStation 5 exclusive titles including Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Godfall. Some of these games alone have players interested in purchasing the upcoming system just to experience what Sony has to offer. Given that the PS5 is set to be equipped with some of the best technology and features available, the console is proving to be a worthy choice for any avid players.
The PS5 has an impressive list of specs which come together to creative a formidable system. Featuring a custom AMD eight-core Zen processor and a 3.5 Gigahertz GPU, the system has one of the highest degree of processing power ever seen in a home console. Also equipped with a RDNA 2 graphics unit running at a smooth 10.28 TFLOPS across 36 CUs, the PS5 is very fast with its computing capabilities. This gives the PS5 the ability to run up to 8K resolution titles at a remarkable 120 FPS with a guaranteed stable 4K 60 FPS experience. Paired with a state of the art 825GB SSD, the console will be able to execute a stellar 5.5GB/s of raw data which tremendously reduces loading time and lag. Additional features like 3D audio and ray tracing capabilities, the PS5 definitely has an impressive arsenal of specs.
PlayStation 5 Vs PC: Which Is Worth The Cost?
In comparison, PC specs are not so clean cut and definitive. The advantage of a PC is that it can be fully customized and tailored to a specific individual. Unlike home consoles which become obsolete after a few years, PCs can always be upgraded to accommodate the latest technology and features available. If someone is looking to create a PC that roughly mimics the PS5, they would be looking at a starting price of approximately $1,150 USD, about double the expected price for the next-gen system. In general, a high-end gaming PC will cost quite a bit more than a console, but is arguably a better investment in the long run. Since a PC is not exclusive to just gaming, consumers would have a versatile machine which can be constantly renovated in order to improve its capabilities.
In the United States, PC has a slight lead over console gaming, with many players opting to use either a desktop or laptop PC. Given that PCs have a much larger selection of games than the PS5, it wins in terms of sheer quantity and variety of titles available. With many of Xbox Series X's titles confirmed for PC, players won't necessarily need to purchase an Xbox to play them. Sony, on the other hand, is all about exclusives, and it's unlikely many of said titles will be making it to PC. It's worth noting that past PS4 "exclusives" like Horizon Zero Dawn have received PC ports. As such, there is a chance that a couple of PS5 games will end up on PC at some point.
Comparing PCs to any home console can be a challenge, as PCs allow for a lot more customization and variety than any PlayStation or Xbox could ever offer. In the long run, PC is a much better value for its price, but for gamers who have no interest in buying a more expensive machine or customizing one themselves, the PlayStation 5 has a bunch of promising features. Ultimately, the decision comes down to convenience, cost, and personal gaming preferences.