New details have emerged surrounding Sony’s much-rumored mid-generation PlayStation 5 hardware refresh, codenamed PlayStation 5 Pro. According to an exclusive report from Insider Gaming, the souped-up PS5 model will deliver significantly enhanced specs and performance, though these improvements may necessitate a higher price point.
The leak outlines several key PS5 Pro hardware upgrades over the standard PlayStation 5 model:
GPU:
- 45% faster rendering performance
- 2-4x ray tracing capabilities, up to 4x in some cases
- 33.5 teraflops of power, up from 10.3 on standard PS5
- Support for up to 8K resolution in future SDK versions
- Custom machine learning architecture and AI accelerator rated at 300 TOPS for 8-bit operations
System Memory:
- 576 GB/s bandwidth (18GT/s), 28% increase over standard 448 GB/s
CPU:
- Same CPU as PS5, but with new “High CPU Frequency Mode” boosting clocks to 3.85GHz (10% overclock)
- In this mode, slightly higher CPU priority results in ~1-1.5% lower GPU performance
Audio:
- Audio Compute Voice (ACV) runs at higher clock speed
- 35% more performance from Audio Compute Machinery (ACM) library
- More convolution reverbs and FFT/IFFT operations can be processed
Other reported specs include 1TB of storage, a detachable disc drive matching the latest PS5 model’s optical drive, and 30 specialized Wave Graphis Processors (WGPs) for accelerated ray tracing traversal compared to 18 on the PS5.
The substantial hardware overhaul aims to provide a true generational leap in graphics processing, AI capabilities, and overall horsepower to push more demanding gaming experiences. However, packing so many premium upgrades into the PS5 Pro is expected to result in an increased price tag over the standard $499 PS5 model when it launches, potentially around Fall 2024 according to Insider Gaming’s sources.
While mid-generation console refreshes like the PS4 Pro could match their predecessors’ launch prices, Sony may struggle to replicate that with the PS5 Pro’s high-end AMD chipset upgrades. The company has already expressed reservations about price cuts for the base PS5 due to persisting supply chain inflation.
As impressive as the rumored PS5 Pro specs are, a premium price could test gamers’ willingness to upgrade, especially with costs already ballooning across the gaming landscape. Sony will need to carefully weigh the balance between delivering cutting-edge hardware and maintaining an accessible mainstream price point.
Success may hinge on ensuring marquee first-party titles take full advantage of the PS5 Pro’s advanced capabilities to justify an investment for the typical consumer. But for enthusiasts willing to pay for the latest and greatest in gaming tech, the PS5 Pro looks poised to push boundaries.
