PS5 specs: CPU, GPU, SSD, and more

Sony’s next-generation console, named the PS5, is gracing store shelves this holiday, and the company has revealed some of specs to give fans a taste of just how powerful it will be. We’re hoping to learn more as we head deeper into 2020, but for now, the PS5 is looking like quite the machine, in comparison to both the current crop of consoles and the next generation Xbox Series X also in the works right now.

PS5 Specs & how does it compare to the PS4 Pro?

It should go without saying, but the PS5 will be drastically more powerful than any model in the PS4 family, including the PS4 Pro.

PS5 What GPU and CPU will it have?

As stated above, it will feature a custom GPU based on the Radeon Navi and a CPU based on AMD’s third-generation Ryzen line, with 8-cores of the new 7nm Zen 2 microarchitecture. According to Mark Cerny, the GPU will also support hardware-based ray tracing, which is a visual technique that models how light interacts with 3D environments. Usually only big-budget Hollywood movies have the technology and money to utilize such technology, and it’s not found in any current video game console.

PS5 What resolution and frame rates will it support?

Sony looks to be future-proofing the PS5 as it will be able to support up to 8K resolution. While most televisions on the market don’t support such resolutions and 4K is still being widely adopted, this should increase the upcoming console’s longevity as 8K starts to pop up more frequently, even if it takes several years to do so.

As for frame rates, we know it will support up to 120FPS in games but it’s safe to assume that 60FPS will be more commonly seen, with some games possibly reaching 120FPS.

PS5 What kind of storage will it have?

Here’s where it gets interesting. Instead of coming with an internal HDD, the PS5 will sport an internal SSD. Though players can already hook up an SSD to their PS4, it’s something that they need to buy separately and install themselves. What’s the difference between an HDD and SSD, though?

SSDs and HDDs are hardware components that deal with storage. The biggest difference between them is that an SSD has no moving parts and data is stored on flash-memory chips. HDDs use moving mechanical parts to read/write information, thus making the process slower than that of an SSD. This is why games like Anthem run better while playing on an SSD.

Its I/O throughput thanks to its SSD can reach a staggering 5.5GB/s (Raw) and 8-9GB/s (Compressed).

PS5 What kind of optical drive will it have?

The PS5 includes a 4K Blu-ray drive. Physical versions of PS5 games will be shipped on 100GB Blu-ray discs, which can be read by the 4K Blu-ray drive. It will also be able to play 4K Blu-ray movies and DVDs.

This disc drive is eliminated entirely on the PS5 Digital Edition.

PS5 What about everything else?

We also know that the DualSense controller will support USB-C charging. This controller has several other improvements, like haptic feedback in the sticks and triggers. Players should now actually feel the tension within the triggers based on whatever actions they’re performing in game, a common example being drawing the string on a bow. In theory, this should give us a greater sense of immersion.