Sony’s PS5 Pro is the subject of a lot of debate. The primary focus on most forums is not its purported 45% performance gains, but rather its $700 price tag that has both defenders and critics alike. On the critic’s side of the equation, $700 is an exorbitantly high sum for a mid-generation console that skips on a disc drive for its asking price, even as Sony’s PlayStation consoles have limited must-have titles showing up towards the end of the year.
For those defending it, the PlayStation 5 Pro is argued to pack in a considerable amount of power that an equivalent PC would cost more upfront to build. It will also be, at its release, the most powerful console available to end users currently. This does, however, result in parallels being drawn with comparable PCs even as consoles increasingly venture into PC territory with similar X86 CPUs, SSD storage, and connectivity (USB/Ethernet/BT support for example).
Building A Gaming PC Versus The PlayStation 5 Pro
That does raise the question about whether one might be better off building a gaming PC to match the PlayStation 5 versus preordering the console at launch (or alternatively trying to score a scalped unit in time for the holiday season) at a similar price or investing in the PC ecosystem as a whole.
Users benefit from a more open ecosystem, cheaper games, better graphics, modular upgradeability, and easier repairs, to name a few of the advantages when it comes to gaming on a PC. Leaning into this, the team at Game Rant has put together 3 suggested PC builds for users looking to get at least PS5 Pro-grade performance out of the box while benefiting from the PC ecosystem at a time when performance is increasingly important across the board to ensure games are playable the same way the developers intended.
The Enthusiast-Grade PC Build That Decimates The PS5 Pro’s Capabilities
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D CPU
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a high-performance gaming CPU that uses a Socket AM5 socket. It’s part of the Ryzen 9 product line, which focuses on reliability and maximal power.This processor has a 16-core configuration with 32 threads. This helps in the efficient handling of data and multitasking. The Ryzen 9 7950X3D also comes with 128 MB of L3 cache memory.
ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler
The ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler is ASUS’s latest premium tri-fan AIO that offers better cooling, an upgraded LCD, and a new Asetek 8th generation pump as some of its salient features. Thanks to a thicker radiator and a new cold plate, it can reduce temperatures drastically versus both its predecessor and its competition.
XPG LANCER RGB DDR5 64GB
The XPG LANCER RGB DDR5 64GB RAM kit is a pair of 32GB modules that can reach speeds of up to 6400 MHz. They have a CAS latency of 32 and the timings are 32-39-39 at an operating voltage of 1.35V. It features an RGB light bar that can be customized through most major lighting system software from motherboard manufacturers.
MSI MPG X670E Carbon WiFi
The MPG X670E Carbon WiFi is a powerful board for high-end Ryzen 7000 CPUs that comes with a reliable 21-power VRM, great support for high-frequency DDR5 RAM, and native PCI-E 5.0 support for graphics card and NVMe SSDs. The onboard debugging options, multiple high-speed USB connectors, and several fan/AIO headers on board make it perfect for a future-proof build.
Crucial T700 2TB PCIe Gen5 SSD
The Crucial T700 2TB PCIe Gen5 SSD is a blazing fast latest generation SSD that can reach read speeds of up to 12,400 MBps and write speeds of up to 11,800 MBps. It is one of the fastest SSDs on the market and has a solid endurance of 1200TB TBW. Crucial also offers a 5-year limited warranty with this SSD.
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER AERO OC 16G
The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER AERO OC 16G is a premium, factory-overclocked, white-themed variant of the RTX 4080 SUPER that carries the high-end AERO moniker.With an excellent tri-fan air cooler supporting a vapor chamber and a decent boost clock speed offering in tow, the all-white Gigabyte AERO OC offers much more than the competition at a premium.
Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 1200W PSU
The Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 is a 1200W PSU that is ATX 3.0 and PCI-E 5.0 compliant as it features the new 12VHPWR connector that powers the latest RTX 4000 series GPUs in addition to premium-grade flat cables and a fluid dynamic bearing fan for quiet operation even as it tightly regulates voltages across the 12v, 5v and 3.3v rails with a 10-year warranty in tow as a testament to how highly confident the Taiwan-based PSU manufacturer is about its product quality.
Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL is a full-tower all-white PC case with a smart design. The case allows users to reverse the chassis, meaning the tempered glass will face the right way if the PC is kept on either the left or right side of the setup. There is integrated RGB lighting and a seamless tempered glass side that flows almost seamlessly into the front panel. The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL can accommodate up to a 420mm radiator next to the motherboard and the same at the top or front using the included bracket. A full-sized GPU that’s up to 450mm can also be used in this case.
The build above leverages some of the highest performance-grade hardware gamers can buy in 2024. It packs the impressive 16-core, 32-thread AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D that doubles the core count Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro console offers even as it pairs it with a capable RTX 4080 SUPER GPU.
With 64GB of low latency RAM in play from XPG and a powerful ASUS ROG Ryujinn cooler to keep the CPU cool, the build delivers on its promised performance with ease in addition to an excellent aesthetic bolstered by the Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL case. The high end MSI MPG X670E Carbon Wi-Fi handles connectivity and offers PCI-E 5.0 support for future GPUs as well as its existing Crucial T700 SSD drive.
All of this is powered by a capable Seasonic Vertex 1200W PSU that delivers excellent efficiency and reliable power to what is a demanding gaming PC that considerably exceeds the PS5 Pro’s graphical prowess at the time of writing.
The Mid-Range PC Build To Exceed The PS5 Pro’s Prowess
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is AMD’s latest and greatest CPU when it comes to gaming. With an excellent and highly efficient gaming performance that tops the charts currently, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is here to stay and has a crown to claim thanks to its 3D V-Cache-enabled prowess when it comes to gaming on a PC.The octa-core CPU currently happens to be the fastest in the business for gaming even as it leads efficiency charts at the top, making it a very sought-after gaming upgrade.
Corsair H100x RGB Elite Liquid CPU Cooler
Corsair H100x RGB Elite brings a gorgeous 240mm AIO design with customizable ARGB lighting on both fans and the CPU block. With flexible tubing, the block can be installed in any orientation and poses no clearance issues. Compatible with the latest intel and AMD platforms, the H100x RGB Elite serves as a wonderful mid-range AIO cooler for overclocking.
G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB (AMD Expo)
G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB series is a specialized RAM kit for the AM5 platform with up to 6000 MT/s speed. The RAM kit brings exceptional RGB lighting on top of the heat spreaders and works at low latency. It’s decently stable at the advertised speed and makes an ideal choice for gaming builds.
NZXT N7 B650E Gaming Wi-Fi 6 Motherboard
The NZXT N7 B650E Gaming Wi-Fi 6 Motherboard is an excellent AMD socket AM5-based motherboard based on the 650E chipset with decent overclocking, excellent power delivery, and above-average expansion slots in tow. It comes in a white or all-black design that is enthusiast-friendly in terms of its design and feature set.
Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB
The Samsung 990 PRO is a top-tier solid-state drive designed for exceptional performance, featuring significant speed enhancements over its predecessor. It offers a massive boost in random read and write speeds that are 40% and 55% faster than the 980 PRO.In addition, it provides high input/output operations per second (IOPS) up to 1400K/1550K, and sequential read and write speeds that reach up to 7,450 and 6,900 MB/s, approaching the maximum performance of PCIe 4.0. This SSD is not only high-performing but also energy-efficient. It provides up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO.
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super OC
The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super OC is a factory-overclocked RTX 4070 Ti SUPER GPU offering an excellent tri-fan cooler with a vapor chamber.With a 10% bump in CUDA cores over its predecessor, high boost clocks, and the TUF gaming lineup’s penchant for reliability in tow, the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super OC is the complete package for gamers looking to play games in 2K at a high refresh and occasionally dabble with 4K in some titles with ease.
HYTE Y60
There is no better mid-tower case to show off gaming rigs than the Hyte Y60. With three tempered glass panels, the Y60 case provides a nearly unobstructed view of the components. A dual chamber design enables builders to keep PSUs and cables tucked behind motherboards to avoid interfering with other components. The Y60 ships ready to vertically mount graphics cards with an included PCIe riser cable. Even with solid glass panels, the case still promotes airflow with extensive vents that wrap around the right side, top, and back of the chassis.
Thermaltake GF1 (2024) Fully Modular ATX 850W Power Supply
The updated Thermaltake GF1 850W PSU is a gold-rated PSU that offers a completely modular solution for gamers looking for a reliable solution that can keep up with some of the most demanding PCs in 2024.It comes with comprehensive protection for users, excellent build quality, quiet operation and an extensive warranty from Thermaltake in tow.
For gamers seeking excellent value for money, AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best octa-core CPU in the business, consistently ranking at the highest tier for gaming PCs and builds across the board. The build leverages the capable RTX 4070 Ti SUPER GPU and its DLSS3 and Ray Tracing performance benefits as it offers a somewhat future-proof 16GB of VRAM as part of the equation.
Both are housed on the capable and well-designed NZXT N7 B650E motherboard that offers PCI-E 5.0 support even as the 7800X3D is more than adequately cooled by Corsair H100x RGB Elite Cooler. With fast, low latency DDR5 RAM from G.Skill in play in addition to the Samsung 990 Pro in a 2TB trim, the build matches the PS5 pro in storage capacity but doubles it in speed as well as RAM capacity even as a reliable gold-rated 850W PSU from Thermaltake handles power needs.
All of this is housed in a modular and easy-to-upgrade Hyte Y60 case that can be upgraded with a display for users needing to do so in addition to a built-in PCI-E 4.0 riser cable.
The Entry-level PC Build To Match The PS5 Pro’s Graphics
Intel Core i5-14400F
Intel Core i5-14400F is a revised edition of the i5 13400F that brings higher clock speeds for the same price. The Raptor Lake Refresh architecture helps it improve in overall performance while retaining its power efficiency. The i5 14400F brings 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, resulting in a total of 16 threads.
Patriot Viper Venom DDR5 16GB (2 x 8GB) Kit
The Patriot Viper Venom DDR5 16GB kit is an entry-level DDR5 kit that clocks in at 5600MHz, offering relatively low latency and excellent value for money to gamers and users needing as much as 16GB of storage.
MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi
MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi holds several PCI-E slots for adding various kinds of expansion cards at the same time. Its support for highly clocked memories, Intel’s 12th/13th/14th gen CPUs, and fast storage is commendable. At an affordable price, it is one of the few motherboards that come with EZ Debug LEDS for easy troubleshooting.
Kingston NV2 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD
This internal solid-state drive from Kingston has 1 TB of digital storage capacity. The NV2 series SSD is designed to be compatible with laptops. It operates on PCIe 4.0 Gen 4x4 technology, features an M.2 2280 form factor, and delivers read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s. It has lower power requirements, generating minimal heat, which makes it perfect for compact devices.
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER Twin Edge OC
The ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER Twin Edge OC features 12GB GDDR6X VRAM, a boost clock speed of 2490 MHz, and a compact dual-fan cooling system. It also has a rounded edge design which makes it look even smaller. It still comes with three DisplayPort 1.4a ports and one HDMI 2.1a port. It is a fairly low power-consuming GPU with 220W at load.
LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 PC Case
The LANCOOL 216 is a mid-tower case with all-around mesh panels for optimal airflow. Thanks to its modular rear panel, it can be optimized for air or water cooling. It includes 2 x 160mm and 1 x 140mm pre-installed PWM fans and an innovative rear PCIe fan bracket to maximize airflow.
XPG Core Reactor 750W
The XPG Core Reactor 750W is an 80 Plus Gold rated ATX PSU that offers full modularity. It is an all-black PSU certified by Cybenetics for its efficiency and noise levels. It features a 120mm 2400 RPM fan with an FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing) design. XPG, which is a gaming sub-brand of Adata, has tuned the fan to stay at 660 RPM up till 50% load. Connectivity options on the XPG Core Reactor 750W include 1 24-pin connection, 2 ATX 12V 4+4 pin connections, 6 PCIe connections, 12 SATA connections, and 4 Molex connections.
The Intel Core i5 14400F is a refreshed Rocket Lake-based CPU that leverages a capable 10-core configuration that exceeds the CPU power available to the PS5 Pro even as it continues to impress on other fronts. The RTX 4070 SUPER from Zotac that makes up approximately half the cost of the suggested build puts it significantly ahead of Sony’s offering even as it makes compromises on RAM, opting for an entry-level DDR5 kit and a smaller 1TB SSD that still offers similar read/write speeds as the PS5 (and PS5 Pro).
The budget-friendly MSI B760 motherboard (BIOS update required out of the box) allows for easy expansion even as it offers Wi-Fi support as the entire rig is built around the airflow-centric Lian Li Lancool 216 case. An XPG Core Reactor PSU powers all the components above with 750W of power on tap, which allows for easy upgrades should users need them.
At an estimated $1250 in cost, the build above is still $500 more than a PS5 Pro, but is decidedly faster and can be easily upgraded down the line by users requiring the option to do so, making it a great alternative to consider versus the upcoming PlayStation 5 console.
FAQ
Q: How Much Storage Does The PS5 Pro Come With?
The PS5 Pro comes with 2 TB of SSD storage that runs at the same speeds as the non-pro version (~5500 MB/s). Users can also opt for an M2 SSD upgrade just like the original PS5 console should they need to.
Q: Does the PS5 Pro Come With A Disc Drive?
No, the PS5 Pro ships as a digital-only console but users can purchase a disc drive for an additional $80 to get disc playback functionality if required.
