PlayStation 5 has been on the market for several years, and after the painful pandemic period, it is now quite easy to find it in stock. The same goes for PC hardware, especially graphics cards. There are many GPU and CPU options today.
Are you going to invest in gaming and are stuck between PS5 and a gaming computer? No one can offer a single direct suggestion on this issue. Each person’s wishes and expectations are different. Here we will try to list the important factors you need to know between the two platforms.
There are several factors to consider, including price, performance, game library, and online services. The console and PC worlds are completely, fundamentally different from each other. Both platforms have their own pros and cons.
PlayStation, for example, has interesting exclusive games, including Spider-Man 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and God of War: Ragnarok. When you take into account the fact that it is backwards compatible with PS4 games, you will be able to access thousands of hours of gaming pleasure on the new generation console.
On the other side, there is the computer world, which hosts thousands of games and gaming platforms. It also offers hardware selection, customization and upgrade opportunities. Here’s everything you need to know before making your decision.
Prices
Sony sells two versions of the PS5, one with a disc drive and the other without a disc drive. The price of the version with disk drive is around 500 dollars, and the price of the version without disk drive is around 400 dollars. In our country, prices start from 20 thousand TL and reach up to 30 thousand TL, depending on the seller (according to the current exchange rate). Meanwhile, Sony launched the PlayStation 5 Slim model, which has a thinner case, in late 2023.
When it comes to assembling computers, we have many processor options from different generations of Intel and AMD. There are also many graphics card options. However, if you want a current generation GPU, you should pay around 500 dollars.
It is possible to say that PS5 has a slight advantage in terms of pricing. Because to get a performance similar to PS5, you need to spend roughly $ 1000. When the amount increases to 1200-1300 dollars, we can have a computer more powerful than PS5.
Let’s give an example from today’s price. With an average of 20,000 TL, we can buy an average desktop computer built on Ryzen 5 5500(5600)/Core i3-12100F CPU and RTX 4060/RX 6600 GPU.
Obviously gaming computers are a more costly investment, but they also offer many advantages. Let’s talk about these now.
PC: Diversity and Flexible Use
While you can always upgrade PCs with new components, you cannot upgrade hardware except storage on consoles. Another plus is diversity. You can buy a computer that suits your personal tastes or assemble it yourself. There are countless brands, models and price options, from processor to SSD. In addition, if your budget allows, you have the opportunity to enjoy the game at high resolution, high settings and high performance by purchasing a high-performance computer.
More importantly, when you invest in a gaming PC, you’re also getting a versatile machine that can handle video editing, graphic design, and just about any other productivity task. Let’s not forget the pros such as internet browsing, basic tasks, software variety and daily use.
Performance
It’s a bit difficult to compare PC and PS5 when it comes to performance. You can configure a PC however you want, so you can get a system that performs much better or much worse than the PS5. However, the PS5 uses an architecture found in off-the-shelf PC parts, so we can make some comparisons.
In terms of specifications, the PS5 comes with an RDNA 2-based GPU with 36 compute units (CU) and an octa-core Zen 2 CPU. A memory pool of 16 GB is also shared between the CPU and GPU. Frankly, we can’t build a computer that fits the PS5 perfectly. Sony’s console is roughly equivalent to a PC with an AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and an RX 5700.
Such a comparison is actually wrong, as developers can optimize their games specifically for the PS5’s hardware. As a result, there is only one set of hardware and no variety. This improves performance as developers can leverage the closed system to better optimize games. Thus, it becomes more possible to play games at 4K resolution on consoles.
Comparing consoles to a PC is always misleading when it comes to performance. Consoles are closed boxes, while computers offer a lot of options but are also more open; both in terms of hardware and software.
On another note, no matter how powerful a console is, the hardware inside will eventually become obsolete. You don’t have the option to replace or upgrade this hardware unless the designer releases a revision or a new console generation.
On PC, you always have a higher performance option if your budget allows. Upscaling solutions like AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) also offer a free way to boost performance not available in PS5 games. In addition, DLSS is also supported by many games.
Additionally, PC games have multiple graphics options, while PS5 games generally come with a small number of performance modes (high resolution or high frame rate in most cases). There are so many settings options to get the performance you want in PC games, while on PS5 the options are either non-existent or very limited.
It is difficult to say which one is better in terms of performance, because the hardware of each PC is different.
Game Library
Sony quickly created a great game library. Blockbuster games like Returnal, Demon’s Souls, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart are all available on PS5, and the console is home to tons of exclusive adventures that can’t be played anywhere else.
This does not mean that the PC is lacking when it comes to games. Except for first-party exclusive games, almost all AAA games are released on the PC side at the same time as the consoles.
However, there are still some exclusive first-party games for the Sony console. Some of those:
- Horizon Forbidden West
- Ghost of Tsushima
- Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Demon’s Souls
- returnal
- The Last of Us Part 1
The good thing is that some first-party Sony games have started coming to PC: games like Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War, Uncharted and Legacy of Thieves are now available on the PC platform. Still, Sony continues to release its newest games exclusively on its own hardware first. If you want to play the latest and greatest games from Sony’s first-party studios, you need a PS5.
On the other hand, sometimes the PC front can gain an advantage by staying away from the console wars. Deathloop is one of the latest examples of this. Since it was a console exclusive for PS5, you had to wait a few months until it arrived on Xbox Series X, but it was released on PC on the same date. Similarly, Death’s Door was a console exclusive for Xbox and was released simultaneously for PC.
The PC world in general has a much larger game library and you can play most games the day they come out. You don’t have access to Sony’s big first-party exclusive games to begin with. However, the computer side has a large game library, such as grand strategy and MMO games, which are not possible with PS5.
Backwards Compatibility and Old Games
There is no competition between PS5 and PC in terms of backward compatibility. You can play games released many years ago on PC without any problems. PS5, on the other hand, is limited to PS5 and PS4 games, as well as a small list of PS2 games available through PlayStation Now.
To summarize, if you want to play old games, PC is always the best option. You can find a lot of old games on Steam and GOG. Especially on GOG, there is a wide range of games dating back to the 1980s. We are not in favor of pirated games, but it is possible to download and play retro games through emulators on PC.
Also, if you have a PC, you don’t have to worry too much about the future. With a few exceptions, PC games will continue to run between Windows versions and new hardware. However, although Sony has taken steps to support PS4 games on PS5, it is possible that support will be discontinued on next-generation consoles.
Digital Rights Management (DRM) can cause problems on PS5. Platforms like GOG offer DRM-free games, and developers are also free to remove DRM on Steam. There are options to have digital copies of games on PC so you can continue playing even when the publisher pulls the plug. The situation is different on a console like PS5.
Gameplay and Controls
PS5 supports two controllers: the DualSense controller that comes with the console and the DualShock 4 running on PS4. You can use either controller for PS4 games on PS5. However, when it comes to PS5 games, we can only use DualSense due to its additional features.
These additional features include adaptive triggers that simulate resistance as you press and better haptic feedback. Sony says this restriction was introduced so players can “take advantage of new capabilities and features” on PS5.
Just a year after its launch, there are dozens of examples of how the DualSense offers a unique experience compared to the DualShock 4. Astro’s Playroom, the free game that comes with PS5, offers resistance and full-range haptics in adaptive triggers. Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War simulates the resistance of a gun trigger, while Kena: Bridge of Spirits lets you feel the pull of a bow.
On the other hand, you can use any controller on the PC, even if it is a bit cumbersome at times. Any controller that uses XInput, at least for basic use, will work automatically. Basic usage, i.e. the layout that Xbox controllers use. Windows offers support for this. You can connect anything from an Xbox 360 to an Xbox Series X controller, and third-party controllers generally work fine on PC.
Keyboard and mouse are another option. Frankly, most games are much more responsive, enjoyable and fluid with keyboard and mouse. Some games, such as FPS games, really need a keyboard and mouse. PS5 supports keyboard and mouse, but only in a few games. This list mostly consists of online games such as Call of Duty: Warzone, Final Fantasy XIV and The Elder Scrolls Online. You also cannot access any software features on these devices with the PS5.
Even though their numbers are less, in some games nothing replaces the controller. For example, football and different sports games. Another advantage of consoles in terms of comfort is that they offer a comfortable gaming environment from where we lie down. We can also move the PC wherever we want and connect it to the TV, but use at the table is generally preferred.
As with many areas in the PS5-PC matchup, PC comes out ahead thanks to much broader support. Unique features like DualSense’s adaptive triggers are eventually coming to PC (reWASD supports them, for example). But PS5 offers a smoother experience where you don’t have to resort to research and third-party software to run everything.
Online Services
Most of us enjoy playing multiplayer games. However, Sony charges for multiplayer services with PlayStation 5, and you need a PlayStation Plus membership to play most games online. This membership can be purchased monthly or annually.
There are some exceptions with PS Plus, though. Most free games, including Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone, do not require a PS Plus membership. Similarly, MMOs with their own subscription model, such as Final Fantasy XIV, do not require memberships.
Not to mention, the online gaming service is just one of the things PS Plus offers. Membership also gets you three free games each month (two PS4 and one PS5), cloud saves, and special discounts. Additionally, there are tiers that give you access to a free game catalog, which is a great way to test dozens of games without spending much money. PS Plus membership more than pays for itself, but the problem is that membership is mandatory.
Online games on PC are completely free. Platforms like Steam and Origin have cloud saving functionality by default. In addition, you can set up private servers for many multiplayer games and have fun with your friends.
To put it simply, you have to pay to enjoy some services with PS5. On the PC side, there is no need to pay extra. Basic functions like online gaming are free on PC.
Additionally, you can access free games through subscription services such as Xbox Game Pass, EA Play and Humble Choice. Generally speaking, the advantageous side in this regard is the PC platform.
stability
As we mentioned, the technical specifications of PS5 are fixed. Therefore, every user who buys a PlayStation will experience the same gaming experience, with some exceptions. Game developers can easily optimize the version for PS5 or Xbox.
On the PC side, players’ experience can be affected by many factors such as graphics, CPU, storage and software factors. If you want to have a better gaming experience, you may need to spend some money and upgrade your computer’s configuration. We can easily say that consoles are more advantageous in this regard and offer a more stable gaming experience.
Conclusion
In fact, we talked about the pros and cons in each article and said that the decision is up to you. However, let’s give a brief summary.
If you do not want to pay high amounts for a gaming device, if you have a different computer for other work, if you like special games offered by Sony and if you want stability, you can buy a console. With the PS5, you’re buying a decent gaming machine that will last at least five years. Your performance will likely decline as time goes by. When new games that require high hardware are released, you may feel that your console is slowly becoming inadequate.
In contrast, with a PC you get a gaming machine that you can upgrade at any time. When the hardware is insufficient, it is easy to upgrade it by selling the part you have and adding some parts to it. You don’t have to worry about storage either. However, there are numerous settings options available in all games. Whether it’s performance or quality.
PCs are the undisputed leader when it comes to gaming variety, there are a ton of gaming options and platforms. You can even play select PlayStation games on PC thanks to PlayStation Now. If your budget is good, it is possible to play games at 4K resolution with high performance with ray tracing.
We end our words. All in all, there’s no such thing as a bad choice between console and PC. It all depends on flexibility, gaming habits, budget and wishes.
