HW Test: PlayStation 5 Pro – Mid-Gen Update

The PlayStation 5 Pro is not a new console in the true sense of the term, as it represents a so-called mid-generation upgrade, or “mid-generation improvement” of the console series. It follows that it is not a must-have for gamers who enjoy PlayStation Studios games or the PlayStation ecosystem in general. In the years to come, you will still be able to play all games on the original PlayStation 5 console. However, if you are one of those gamers who care about keeping their games in the best condition and also purposefully purchase the latest 4K TVs and other accessories , then PlayStation 5 Pro is a very hot topic for you. How will this updated version of the console improve the gaming experience on your favorite platform?

• CPU: x86 64-AMD Ryzen “Zen2”, 8 cores/16 threads, 3.85 GHz
• Video card: 16.7 teraflops – AMD Radeon RDNA graphics core
• Memory: 16 GB GDDR6 and 2 GB DDR5
• Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD
• Inputs and outputs: USB Type-A (SuperSpeed ​​USB 10 Gbps) ×2, USB-C port (SuperSpeed ​​USB), USB-C port (SuperSpeed ​​USB 10 Gbps), M.2 SSD expansion slot, drive port
• Network connection: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, Bluetooth 5.1
• Maximum power supply: 390 W
• External dimensions (without protruding parts): approx. 388 x 89 x 216 mm (W x H x D)
• Weight: approximately 3.1 kg
• Operating temperature: from 5°C to 35°C
• Price: CZK 20,290 (Alsa)

Installation and commissioning

If you have already installed and used the original PlayStation 5 console, then its Pro version will not surprise you in this regard. The packaging is similar, in addition to the console you will find one DualSense controller, three necessary cables (a power cable for electricity, a USB cable for charging the controller and an HDMI 2.1 cable that supports high resolution and refresh rates, including 8K, VRR or 120Hz). as well as two small plastic supports to stabilize the console in a horizontal (lying) position. In particular, you can purchase a “vertical stand for PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro consoles”, which serves to stabilize the console more safely (from accidentally tipping over) in a vertical position, the package also includes an adapter for the original PlayStation 5 console model, and a stand can be purchased in Czech stores from 690 CZK and above. Unfortunately, the console is only sold in a version without a disc drive, so if you plan to play physical games in addition to digital versions, you will have to buy the disc drive separately (its price is about 3,000 CZK, if you can find it).

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

The operation itself is also very similar to the original PlayStation 5 console model, including creating a PlayStation Network profile and adding a possible password to further lock the console. You’ll also find small cosmetic flourishes in the form of modified startup animations or perhaps pre-installed animated PlayStation 5 Pro wallpapers for the user’s home screen. The console will offer you the option to transfer data from your original PlayStation 5 console, however this step requires both consoles to be turned on at the same time and connected to the same network over which the data will be transferred (without deleting the original console). Personally, I didn’t use this option because I unplugged the old console and plugged in the new one in its place, glad to have its SSD completely empty at least for a while. As for console noise, I didn’t notice a significant difference compared to the old model. In more demanding games, you may be able to hear increased fan activity in quiet and close quarters, but you probably won’t be able to notice it with the game’s audio on.

Upgrade Reminder

We have already written about the three main improvements to the Pro console, but as part of its testing, it is appropriate to once again recall what exactly is associated with its increased performance:

• Improved GPU: It contains 67% more compute units than the current PS5 console and 28% faster memory. Overall, this allows the game to render faster by 45%, resulting in a smoother game experience.
• Advanced Ray Tracing: More powerful ray tracing has been added, which allows for more dynamic reflection and refraction of light, thereby rendering rays two and sometimes three times faster than on the original PS5 console.
• Upscaling with AI: PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), AI-powered upscaling using machine learning technology, delivers ultra-sharp images while adding an extraordinary amount of detail.

However, it is worth mentioning other technical aspects and improvements to the Pro version of the console:

• SSD drive twice the size (2 TB).
• Supports faster Wi-Fi 7 wireless technology.
• Additional 2GB DDR5 memory specifically designed for non-game console applications.

The CPU processor remains unchanged, but now offers a “High CPU Frequency” mode that increases performance by about 10%, namely from 3.5 GHz to 3.85 GHz.

Some players will be more surprised than others.

Perhaps you are also one of those who were confused at the first official previews as to what exactly the supposed difference between games on the old and new hardware is. I had the same thing. However, in the end, I was pleasantly surprised when I turned on the console at home and launched the first games equipped with a special patch and mode for the PlayStation 5 Pro on a large (217 cm diagonal) 4K/VRR/120Hz TV. As someone who has been used to consciously playing all games in performance mode for many years, I was expecting a much bigger jump than someone who played in quality mode, for example.

A person playing in performance mode will see a much bigger jump.

Simply put, I’m just not used to seeing games in such sharpness and at the same time supported by so many subtle effects such as sharper shadows, more detailed reflections and so on. In some ways, it felt like I was bringing home a completely new generation of gaming console. This impression was further reinforced by the fact that the games we tested ran with very convincing fluidity. We will measure it in detail in the following, more detailed articles about individual tested games. Perhaps the only thing I really regret in this regard is that the release of the PlayStation 5 Pro console could not be timed to coincide with the release of some very significant, completely new game. It could be an even more immersive experience, and perhaps Death Stranding 2 would be perfect for that.

Brief impressions of the first three games

In short, Horizon: Forbidden West had to be the first game I turned on on the new iron. It’s still true that this is perhaps the most beautiful game yet, which, aside from the absurd details (see the famous ants climbing trees), is also supported by an extremely expressive and varied color palette. The effect mentioned above was on full display here, where I was amazed at the sharpness, detail and smoothness of the game in the new graphics mode. This includes improved anti-aliasing, improved character skin and hair, improved more natural depth of field, improved sunburst and volumetric light effects, improved elemental effects (water, fire, smoke), improved cloud effects, especially in DLC territory. There’s so much going on and it’s all so overwhelming that I had to struggle for almost an hour to finally turn it off and not immediately start playing through the entire game again from the beginning.

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, still a strong contender for Game of the Year this year in my opinion, was perhaps the clearest demonstration of progress between the game’s original console launch and its new Pro version, according to Digital Foundry’s first impressions. . This wouldn’t be a coincidence, as more than one player has complained about how blurry and ugly the game was in performance mode. A new patch to the game for the stronger version of the console added a graphics mode called “Versatile”, in which the game runs at a noticeably higher resolution, but again with an emphasis on smooth 60 frames per second. This is achieved not only with PSSR and approximately 10% faster CPU performance in “High CPU Frequency Mode”, but also with developer-customized rendering for this graphics mode. The result impressed me greatly, just look at the sharpness of details such as blades of grass, etc.

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

No Man’s Sky is one of the first games to reflect the PlayStation 5 Pro patch and settings when played with a PSVR2 headset. Thanks to PSSR, the game delivers a stable combination of 4K and 60fps, but also features improved lighting, super-quality reflections, and better ambient occlusion settings. In addition to the headset, it even offers the ability to play in 8K resolution (30fps). So, I tried the game with a PSVR2 headset and I have to admit that the higher resolution felt nice when working with the dynamic UI, and the reflections of bodies of water and metal surfaces looked impressive, as did the dynamic shadows. This is truly a game that you can easily get lost in for months on end.

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

Source: Martin Zavrzel / Zing.cz

I wanted to be one of the first to try Gran Turismo 7, but the game has yet to receive a patch for PlayStation 5 Pro. I also wanted to try PS4 games that support the “image enhancement” feature, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a game that can properly demonstrate this effect – the image looked almost the same whether it was on or off. function disabled. . Apparently, this is really just a resolution boost, and we can’t expect higher frame rates in PS4 games, for example.

Who is suitable and who is not?

Despite the advanced technology inside the console, the question of “who will it suit” is not rocket science. If you play on the PlayStation 5 more during the holidays, when an interesting exclusive or sequel to a favorite series comes out from time to time, buying the relatively expensive “pro” version of the console probably doesn’t make sense. However, if the PlayStation 5 is your main platform and you play popular online games as well as new third-party games every month, upgrading may be a good option for you. Especially if you have a good 4K TV and are sensitive to the smoothness of the game. This could also be an interesting temptation for those who don’t yet have a PlayStation console at all, but have been thinking about it for a long time. Barring the unveiling of an improved version of its rival console next year, the PlayStation 5 Pro will likely be the best way to play GTA 6 on consoles.

This article is just an introduction to our testing of the PlayStation 5 Pro console.

Detailed gaming tests will follow, including frame rate measurements and comparison videos.