Alright, let’s dive right into the PS5 Pro hype! If you’re a gaming aficionado, the mere whisper of the next-gen PlayStation upgrade probably has you glued to your screen. Sony’s beloved PS5 has done some heavy lifting in gaming, but it’s about time we get a refresh that can truly keep up with the technological leaps happening around us. Let’s be real—Unreal Engine 5 games like Immortals of Aveum and Lords of the Fallen look like a dream, but on the standard PS5? They’re not running at their full potential. Enter: the PS5 Pro, where next-level performance meets cutting-edge design.
PS5 Pro Release Date and Price: When Can You Get Your Hands on It?
Circle November 7, 2024, on your calendar, folks. That’s the big day! Sony’s officially rolling out the red carpet for the PS5 Pro, and it’s sure to cause a massive buzz. Mark Cerny, the PlayStation tech mastermind, unveiled this beast back in September, hyping up the jaw-dropping tech upgrades. For anyone worried about shelling out the big bucks, here’s the breakdown:
- North America: $699.99
- Europe: €799.99
- UK: £699.99
- Japan: ¥119,980
Preorders and Where to Get It
Ready to snag one? Preorders open exclusively on PlayStation Direct starting September 26, 2024. Other major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy will open their virtual shelves on October 10. Act fast—these are bound to fly off the (virtual) shelves quicker than you can say “Pro.”
The Heart of the Beast: Specs and Performance
This is where things get spicy. The PS5 Pro isn’t just a souped-up version of the regular PS5—it’s a whole new animal. Sony went big with custom AMD RDNA 3 GPU architecture, clocking in at 2.5-2.8 GHz, a significant upgrade from the PS5’s AMD RDNA 2. This upgrade isn’t just for show—it’s primed to handle massive graphical loads, rendering games at 4K and even pushing 8K with Sony’s new PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaling.
Key Specs at a Glance
- CPU: Same AMD Ryzen Zen2 with a “High CPU Frequency Mode” hitting 3.85GHz
- GPU: Custom AMD RDNA 3, 60 Compute Units at 2.5-2.8 GHz
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6, with an extra 2GB of GDDR5 for a total of 18GB
- Storage: Upgraded to a 2TB SSD
- Teraflops: 33.5 (serious firepower for gamers)
New Features to Make Your Jaw Drop
One of the most exciting PS5 Pro upgrades is the PSSR Upscaling, which functions similarly to NVIDIA’s DLSS. PSSR is going to make your games look so sharp you’ll be tempted to frame them. Gone are the days of pixelation or reduced framerates—PS5 Pro’s 8K-ready PSSR tech will upscale everything to its crispest potential, making even the smallest details pop. And if you’re looking forward to those advanced ray-tracing effects, good news: there’s now dedicated hardware in the Pro just for that.
The Ultra Boost Mode also deserves a mention. Over 8,500 games from the PS4 and PS5 libraries will receive enhanced performance, meaning smoother gameplay, consistent frame rates, and better visuals across the board. While Ultra Boost Mode won’t break native frame rate or resolution caps, it will make sure games hit those caps flawlessly.
New Enhanced Games: What’s PS5 Pro-Enhanced?
Expect a growing list of PS5 Pro-enhanced titles sporting better resolution, buttery-smooth frame rates, and extra ray tracing. And the selection isn’t shabby: think Spider-Man 2, Gran Turismo 7, and Resident Evil 4. With each title, the Pro promises to elevate gameplay with its next-gen graphics and enhanced frame rates.
Backward Compatibility and PSVR 2
If you’re wondering whether your existing game library will work with the PS5 Pro, breathe easy. Every PS4 and PS5 title you own will play without a hitch. Plus, if you’re into virtual reality, the PS5 Pro promises seamless integration with the PSVR 2 headset, even offering some visual boosts for VR titles like Cyube VR.
Cooling, Connectivity, and Design
With all that power, cooling is crucial. The PS5 Pro keeps the liquid metal cooling system of the PS5 but upgrades it for better efficiency. As for connectivity, the PS5 Pro embraces WiFi 7—finally! Plus, you’ve got HDMI 2.1b support, which can handle 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz. For the cord-cutters, Bluetooth 5.1 is onboard, but your trusty Ethernet port isn’t going anywhere.
Is the PS5 Pro Worth the Upgrade?
If you’re a die-hard gamer who craves the absolute best in graphics and performance, the PS5 Pro could be your dream console. With 8K capabilities, stunning ray tracing, and PSSR upscaling, Sony is setting the bar high for mid-gen upgrades. Even if you’re not convinced about the 8K hype just yet, the boosted 4K resolution alone will breathe new life into your gaming setup.
Ready to level up? The PS5 Pro is on its way, and it’s not pulling any punches.
As our second lead editor, Lindsay Foote provides guidance on the stories Game Nerd contributors cover. She has been instrumental in making sure the content on the site is clear and accurate for our readers. If you see a particularly clever title, you can likely thank Lindsay. Lindsay received a BA and and MA from Fordham University.
