As fans look forward to the PlayStation 5 Pro’s rumored release some time in late 2024, the leaked specs have surfaced, providing a glimpse into the potential power of Sony’s upgraded console. According to reports, the PS5 Pro promises a host of significant improvements, but potential issues could prevent it from fully harnessing its new capabilities.
As per RedGamingTech, the PS5 Pro is set to feature impressive GPU upgrades, with a near 2x increase in total Compute Units. However, the console might remain anchored to the Zen 2 CPU, albeit with a slightly enhanced clock speed. This CPU architecture, which has become increasingly outdated, may not be up to the task of complementing the GPU and all of its advancements. The Zen 2’s meager speed bump might lead to a bottleneck, potentially stifling the GPU’s full potential, making it a potential concern.
The good news is that the PS5 Pro may have a trick up its sleeve. Let’s rewind to February 2022, when Mark Cerny filed a patent on Sony’s behalf for a dedicated ray-tracing unit. Comparable to the iPhone 15 Pro’s specialized neural engine, this RTU would have a unique core set devoted to speeding up certain tasks, in this case, ray tracing. In theory, the RTU would manage all light calculations in a 3D environment, leaving the GPU to handle shaders and additional details. It’s this separation that could allow both components to work independently toward a common goal. But here’s the snag: Ray tracing remains a CPU-intensive process. With the rumored retention of the Zen 2 architecture, achieving peak frame rates with ray tracing might remain an elusive dream.
From what I've heard, Zen 4 was considered, but it might have been incorrect.
From what I guess it's a few reasons
1. The Zen 4 IP might not have been ready in time (remember, stuff is all about timings
2. It could have required more work for back compat.
3. Zen 2 is…
— RedGamingTech (@RedGamingTech) October 12, 2023
Further leaks from a traditionally reliable source have outlined the PS5 Pro’s purported specs. The console might use its predecessor’s CPU but it may come with a 500 MHz overclock, translating to a 14.2% increase from 3.5 GHz to roughly 4.0 GHz. In contrast, the PS5 Pro is rumored to employ an RDNA 3-based GPU, shifting from the RDNA 2 in the original PS5, with a CU count rising from 36 to 60. GPU clock speeds could fall between 2.5 GHz and 2.8 GHz, signifying a 12% overclock. In addition, the PS5 Pro might pair its upgraded GPU with 16 GB of GDDR6 system memory, with an additional 2 GB-4 GB of DDR5 RAM dedicated solely to the operating system.
Although using Zen 4 is ideal, it’s possible Sony discarded this due to potential backward compatibility challenges. Sony has proven that it deserves the benefit of the doubt. If it believes Zen 2 is enough for it to achieve enhanced resolution, higher frame rates, and improved ray tracing, then who are we to question? Still, all speculations should be taken with caution until an official announcement.
Now, the looming question is whether these upgrades will manifest in tangible improvements in gameplay. The shift to 60FPS alone has previously revolutionized certain games, making them feel like entirely different experiences. If game developers can effectively harness the PS5 Pro’s improved specs, particularly its accelerated ray tracing, it could elevate gaming experiences. Industry giants like Rockstar Games have a history of fully exploiting console capabilities, so there remains hope that games like Grand Theft Auto 6, which will reportedly use an improved RAGE engine, could make the most of the PS5 Pro’s offerings.
While impressive on paper, the PS5 Pro’s rumored specs, particularly its CPU, could hinder its ability to deliver. But with potential features like the dedicated RTU, there’s promise that this upgraded console could change the game. All eyes are now on Sony, waiting to see how the PlayStation 5 Pro will reshape the future of gaming when it’s released a year from now.
For now, fans can look forward to seeing PS5 Slim come out in November. It’s not an upgrade over the incumbent PS5 but it might be worth buying for first-time PlayStation owners or those migrating from the PlayStation 4.
Between the launch of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and the PS5 Slim, Sony is poised to have a banner year after posting a record-setting quarter earlier this year.
