Playstation versus Microsoft, their battle for their latest console continues. After almost a year about talking about the PS5, we learn today it is getting an AMD third-generation Ryzen CPU. It is also getting a custom Radon Navi GPU and accelerated ray-tracing hardware plus speedy SSD storage. Meaning, this new machine is going to be same same but different. With not as many specs revealed as the Xbox Series X, take a look at the PS5’s full specs so far below.
- CPU: 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz (variable frequency)
- GPU: 10.28 TFLOPs, 36 CUs at 2.23GHz (variable frequency)
- GPU Architecture: Custom RDNA 2
- Memory/Interface: 16GB GDDR6/256-bit
- Memory Bandwidth: 448GB/s
- Internal Storage: Custom 825GB SSD
- IO Throughput: 5.5GB/s (Raw), Typical 8-9GB/s (Compressed)
- Expandable Storage: NVMe SSD Slot
- External Storage: USB HDD Support
- Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray Drive
So What Does This All Mean?
With faster load times, a custom solid state drive, and increased power, this is a huge leap over the PS4 and PS4 Pro. However, it ranks slightly lower in its full specs compared to the Xbox Series X. Though the plethora of system optimization enhancements will still make for great gameplay. A teraflop in GPU means more gaming performance due to the new console’s efficient architecture.
Let’s Compare Sony To Microsoft
Lead Playstation architect, Mark Cerny, is here to tell all. Both new console systems should be based on their AMD’s CPUs and GPUs. Sony uses an 8-core Zen 2 CPU with variable frequencies to slow down where necessary. Microsoft keeps its Zen 2 processor at 3.8GHz, but devs can run their games at 3.6GHz with hyperthreading. Sony runs 36 compute units at up to 2.23GHz while Microsoft runs 52 compute units at 1.825GHz. What all this means is that running fewer cores at a higher rate is more beneficial than running more cores at a lower rate.
Sony leads in custom storage and bandwidth speed but their performance rating is yet to come. That will be the true rating. Microsoft levels higher in memory bandwidth, which could make up for its slow storage.
In terms of audio quality, the PS5’s ‘Tempest Engine’ can process 3D audio, focusing on presence and locality. So, you can hear a rainstorm and be in it at the same time. Any pair of headphones, speakers, surround sound systems, and soundbars will achieve the same sound quality.
The greatest mystery yet to come is the look of the new Sony machine. We’ve seen what Microsoft’s beast looks like and heard of its features. YouTuber Austin Evans and Digital Foundry have the upper hand on its casing and cooling design.
For more details on this, you can watch Playstation’s video below. Gamers, rest easy knowing that whichever console you choose, it is going to be similar in next-gen performance.
Now, Playstation or XBox? Go!
