We all know that the PS5 is a powerhouse, but how much power would that translate to a PC GPU?
For years, Sony’s PlayStation has stood at the pinnacle of the gaming world, and the PlayStation 5 is no different. Its architecture, similar to a PC, brought to the table a powerhouse console that costs less than a mid-range GPU. However, not everything about its release has been smooth sailing. Interestingly enough, for a significant period post-launch, Sony was actually at a financial loss for each PS5 unit sold.
That’s right, the cutting-edge technology and components inside each PS5 console cost Sony almost as much as the retail price! Sony was banking on making its profit from game sales and their PlayStation Plus services (even introducing a new 3-tier Plus membership), a strategy that seems to be paying off now as production costs have leveled. But amidst all the chatter about its financial implications, gaming enthusiasts worldwide have one pressing question: what is the PS5 GPU equivalent in the PC world?
What GPU does the PS5 have?
The PS5 comes equipped with a custom RDNA 2 GPU from AMD. This isn’t a straightforward port of a desktop GPU, but rather a specially tailored chip designed to match the PS5’s needs. It boasts 10.28 teraflops of power with 36 compute units clocked at 2.23GHz. This is paired with 16GB of GDDR6 memory which gives the PS5 the grunt to produce the breathtaking graphics gamers have come to expect. Moreso, games like God of War Ragnarok and Gran Turismo 7, are capable of delivering smooth 60 frames per second in 4k resolution, which is impressive, to say the least.
PS5 GPU Equivalent
Given the custom nature of the PS5’s GPU, finding a direct equivalent in the PC space is challenging. However, in terms of raw performance and capabilities, the PS5’s GPU sits somewhere between AMD’s RX 6600 XT and the RX 6700, or Nvidia’s RTX 3060 and RTX 3070. It’s essential to remember that architectural efficiencies and the integrated nature of console hardware mean that PS5 can often punch above its weight, outperforming PC GPUs with higher specs on paper. So, while the RX 6600 XT or RX 6700 might be the closest in a spec-for-spec comparison, the real-world performance could vary depending on optimization and game design.
Here also comes into play the incredibly optimized games that Sony is publishing on their consoles, a feat that is not even close to PC games, which launch in a disastrous manner most of the time. There are, for example, really good gaming PC under $1000, which would be in the ballpark of a PlayStation 5 configuration, but with double the price! With $1000 you can get a PS5, and big-screen TV, some triple-A games, and a bunch of Doritos as a bonus.
Should you get a PS5 or a gaming PC?
As gaming technology advances at a lightning pace, the gap between console and PC continues to blur. The PS5, with its custom AMD GPU, showcases just how far consoles have come, rivaling many high-end PCs in terms of graphics and performance. For those looking to replicate the PS5’s prowess in a PC build, considering a GPU around the RX 6600 XT or RX 6700 range might be a good starting point. I made an original research study earlier this year on which were the most searched GPUs in 2022, turns out people opt to look for budget-friendly GPU options such as the 3060. Yet, remember that the beauty of the PS5 lies not just in its powerful hardware, but also in how developers optimize their games for the platform. With the PS5 restock on the rise, you will now think twice when choosing between a gaming PC and a PlayStation 5.
