Sony has officially announced the PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro), marking a significant leap forward in console gaming technology. The new system aims to bridge the gap between fidelity and performance modes, promising enhanced graphics without sacrificing frame rates.
PlayStation 5 Pro: Key Improvements
Mark Cerny, the lead architect of the PS5, presented the technical details of the PS5 Pro, highlighting three main areas of improvement:
Larger GPU and Faster RAM
| The new GPU boasts 67% more compute units |
| RAM speed has been increased by 28% |
| These upgrades result in up to 45% faster rendering |
Advanced Ray Tracing
Sony has implemented a streamlined and accelerated approach to ray tracing, allowing for calculations at double or triple the speeds of the original PlayStation 5. This enhancement promises more realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows in supported games.
AI-Driven Upscaling
The PS5 Pro introduces custom hardware for machine learning, paired with a new AI library called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution. This technology aims to improve image quality and performance through intelligent upscaling techniques.
Performance Showcase
The presentation included demonstrations of several titles running on the PS5 Pro, showcasing the system’s capabilities:
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart were highlighted as examples of games achieving near-fidelity mode graphics at performance mode frame rates.
- The Last of Us Part II was shown running at a smooth 60 fps with significantly enhanced detail, compared to the PS5 version running in fidelity mode at 30 fps.
Design
While the PS5 Pro maintains a similar overall aesthetic to its predecessor, it introduces new side grills that appear to function as air vents, potentially improving the system’s cooling capabilities.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro Comparison
Comparing the PS5’s performance mode vs the PS5 Pro, the latter demonstrated noticeably sharper and crisper visuals across various titles. This improvement addresses the common dilemma gamers face when choosing between visual fidelity and smooth performance.
The PS5 Pro will come with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. It will be a disc-less only console, but you have the option of purchasing the dedicated disc drive separately.
FAQ:
Q: When will the PlayStation 5 Pro be available?
A: The PS5 Pro will officially launch on November 7, 2024. There is no exact date as to when it will hit stores in the Philippines just yet.
Q: How much will the PlayStation 5 Pro cost?
A: The pricing for different regions is as follows:
- USD 699.99
- GBP 699.99
- EUR 799.99
- JPY 119,980 (includes tax)
Q: Is the vertical stand included?
A: No, the vertical stand will be sold separately.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
