Is the PS5 Pro Worth Its Price, or Should Gamers Opt for a PC Instead?

Recent discussions in the gaming community have centered around the newly announced PS5 Pro, which comes with a hefty price tag of at least $699.99 in the U.S. and £699.99 in the U.K. Many gamers are now questioning whether it might be more sensible to invest in a gaming PC instead.

This burning question was posed to Richard Leadbetter, the founder of the renowned tech analysis outlet Digital Foundry, by IGN. His response revealed that the choice isn’t as straightforward as one might hope.

When asked about the cost of building a PC that would offer similar performance to the PS5 Pro, Leadbetter indicated that it would likely exceed the console’s price. He highlighted that key components, especially the graphics processing unit (GPU), are vital. “To achieve enhanced ray tracing and machine learning capabilities, you’ll need a GPU that currently doesn’t exist in the AMD lineup,” he explained. “The closest you’d find is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, which is priced around $540.” Additionally, building a complete system necessitates a CPU, motherboard, memory, power supply, a case, and a 2-terabyte SSD, significantly escalating the overall cost.

Leadbetter did point out some advantages to buying a PS5 Pro, such as no longer needing a PlayStation Plus subscription to engage in online gaming or utilize cloud saves. This means that a comprehensive cost analysis over a year is essential for a more accurate comparison between the PS5 Pro and a gaming PC.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the PS5 Pro is tailored for a specific demographic: existing PlayStation 5 users who possess a library of PS4 and PS5 titles and can afford an upgrade. "Moving from the PlayStation ecosystem to the PC ecosystem requires leaving behind your entire game library,” Leadbetter noted, suggesting that many traditional PlayStation fans may find this transition too daunting.

He also acknowledged that for gamers in regions like Europe and Japan, where the PS5 Pro is even more expensive, transitioning to a gaming PC might be more enticing. However, he added that the convenience of gaming on a sofa with a controller could be a disadvantage for PCs compared to the PlayStation experience.

What are your thoughts? Are you contemplating a purchase of a PC instead of the PS5 Pro? We would love to hear your opinion in the comments below.