Is the Next-Gen Console Experience Worth the Hype?

The PS5 and Xbox Series X have been released and yet, the debate of PC versus consoles is still kicking and hollering. Even at Player.com, the comparison is still prevalent. We’ve compared everything from controllers and headsets to RAM and cooling systems. Nevertheless, consoles have made huge strides in the graphics and processing power departments.

For example, the vanilla PS4 could output about 1.84 teraflops. In comparison, the PS5’s output is a whopping 10.3 teraflops. In layman’s terms, next-gen consoles are technological marvels that haven’t been fully explored by game developers. Even to date, all 64 missions of God of War Ragnarök still look phenomenal on the PS4. 

Also Read: Ghost of Tsushima PC Port: Release Date Speculation

PS5 Versus Xbox Series X Games

The game lineup for the PS5 is much more compelling than the exclusives available on the Xbox Series X. On the PS5, there are games like Demon’s Souls, Horizon Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarök, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Only Nintendo has a comparable library of game exclusives. You can find other great PS5 games here. 

Highlights of Next-Gen Consoles

If you’re still contemplating whether or not you should upgrade your PS4, then this article is for you. Next-gen consoles are popular because of certain features which include their great controllers and the ability to render photorealistic gameplay. This subsection covers all of the revolutionary features of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. 

Improved Graphical Fidelity

The PS5 and Xbox Series X can render better and more realistic graphics compared to the previous generation of consoles. Everything from particle effects and facial animations, to combat animations and the standard movement, have been smoothed out. Let’s not forget that the texture quality is far better than anything the PS4 and Xbox are capable of.

Additionally, next-gen consoles are capable of playing games at 4K resolution. There’s also support for visual features like a stable frame rate and ray tracing. Don’t get us wrong, even without ray tracing, lighting on the PS5 and Xbox Series X are already super realistic. However, with ray tracing, the gameplay is glorious.

3D Sound

In the case of the PS5, there’s a new Tempest 3D Audio feature that’s only still supported by a few titles. Essentially, the PS5 is capable of spatial audio when you play with the PULSE 3D. You’ll clearly hear where bullets and attacks are coming from, the direction of the rain, and even the dull tones of your footsteps. It’s a superbly immersive audio experience that’ll require you to purchase Sony’s PS5 headset. 

Far Shorter Loading Times

Loading times are now a thing of the past. Nowadays, the time it takes for you to load up heavy games like Horizon Forbidden West from the homescreen is less than 15 seconds. In fact, you won’t even know that the game has finished loading up in most cases. For example, cutscenes don’t interrupt the gameplay with loading screens anymore. 

Next-Gen Controllers for Immersive Interaction

While the Xbox Series X’s gamepad is phenomenal with great tactile feedback, the PS5’s DualSense controller is even better. Just like Sony’s PULSE 3D, the PS5 controller lets you feel everything. From brushing against overgrown plants to the weighted feel of a muddy terrain, the DualSense masterfully replicates all these sensations. In fact, ranged weapons like guns and bows feel even better to use, thanks to the controller’s adaptive triggers.

Why Are PC Gaming Rigs More Powerful Than PS5 and Xbox Series X?

The PS5 and Xbox Series X are cheaper than most gaming rigs because they were mass-produced. Naturally, with a PC, you should be sourcing for each part like the heatsink, CPU, and GPU all by yourself. Luckily for players though, game makers like Sony and Microsoft have done all the legwork. So, you can purchase a powerful gaming rig that’s tied to their ecosystem. However, what if you want to build a better gaming PC than the PS5 and Xbox Series X? 

A GPU Makes a World of Difference

Well, the major difference between gaming rigs and next-gen consoles is the processor. Equipping a gaming PC with a GPU like AMD’s RX 6800XT or the RTX 3080 Ti is a sure way to guarantee better frame rates than the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Your PC gaming rig must also be equipped with at least 16 GB of memory or else, you won’t be able to run modern games.

However, the price of high-end GPUs is high due to GPU shortage all over the world. For one, you can currently purchase a brand new RTX 3080 Ti for around £970 though you’ll find it cheaper if it’s pre-owned. Microsoft’s next-gen console costs half of that price. So, it’s quite an understatement to say gaming on PC is expensive. 

Our Final Say

There are tons of reasons to love next-gen consoles like the PS5. For one, the SSDs on the PS5 and Xbox Series X are properly integrated. So, PC hard drives are still playing catch up. The closest PC hard disk to a PS5 SSD are PCIe 4.0 SSDs like the Samsung 980 Pro. Moreover, next-gen consoles now support 8K resolution. Ultimately, the only boon that an expensive PC rig grants over Sony and Microsoft’s latest consoles is a frame rate boost. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a PC Better Than Next-Gen Consoles?

Yes, a gaming PC is a better option than next-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Everything from SSDs and RAM to graphic processors and speakers are better on PCs. Heck, accessories like gaming headsets are cheaper and more common than PlayStation’s PULSE 3D. At the same time, you’ll find headsets that cost thrice the price of the PULSE 3D. In general, games on PCs run at a higher frame rate and with better graphics than next-gen consoles. 

What Is the Most Powerful Next-Gen Console?

The most powerful next-gen console is the Xbox Series X. Sure, the PS5 is incredibly powerful, especially because its SSD is directly integrated into the console’s architecture. However, the best measuring unit for a console’s speed and power is a teraflop. Essentially, the higher a console’s teraflop count is, the better its processing capability will be. The PS5 boasts 10.3 teraflops, while the Xbox Series X wows with 12.1 teraflops. That’s two more teraflops than the PS5. 

Which Next-Gen Console Is Selling Better?

The next-gen console that’s selling better is the PS5, which has gapped the Xbox Series X sales by at least 10 million copies. Nintendo Switch sales are through the roof, but the console isn’t next-gen because of its lack of processing power. A Nintendo Switch isn’t even as powerful as a standard PS4, which was released years before the Nintendo Switch.