PS5 vs PS4: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The PS5 arrived as the successor to the PS4, and generation-to-generation comparisons tend to be more nuanced than launch-day headlines suggest. The scorecard favors the PS5, which leads in 2 of 2 areas. Its strongest showing is in the memory & storage category. The PS5 also costs $100 more at launch, which raises the bar for what it needs to deliver. Here’s how the PS5 and the PS4 compare where it counts.
At a glance
- Performance PS5 wins
- Memory & Storage PS5 wins
- Price PS4 wins
- Performance6.8
- Memory & Storage6.2
- Performance0.0
- Memory & Storage0.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The PS5 has 459% more GPU compute
The PS5 doesn’t just edge this one; 10.28 TFLOPS against 1.84 TFLOPS is a lead you’ll feel. Teraflops don’t capture everything (memory, upscaling and optimization matter too), but they’re a useful yardstick.
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The PS5 has 325 GB more built-in storage
Big gap, real consequences. The PS5’s 825 GB versus the PS4’s 500 GB changes how the two compare in daily use. Modern games are large, so more built-in storage means fewer installs to juggle.
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The PS5 has 8 GB more memory
The PS4 is clearly behind on system memory (8 GB against 16 GB), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. Consoles share memory between CPU and GPU, so this figure covers both game logic and graphics.
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The PS4 has a 3.75 lb lighter body
On this line of the spec sheet, the PS4 is in a different league: 6.17 lb, next to 9.92 lb for the PS5. For home consoles, weight mostly matters when moving them; for handhelds, it matters every minute you play.
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The PS5 has hardware ray tracing
Some features are nice extras; for some people, hardware ray tracing is a deal-breaker. Only the PS5 has it. With the PS5, supported games can switch on ray-traced effects; the PS4 relies on traditional lighting techniques.
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The PS5 has 155% more memory bandwidth
For memory bandwidth, the PS5 leads by a wide margin: 448 GB/s versus 176 GB/s. The PS5’s extra bandwidth helps keep its GPU fed in demanding scenes.
Design & Size
- PS5 15.35 in × 4.09 in × 10.24 in
- PS4 10.83 in × 2.09 in × 12.01 in
If compact matters to you, the PS4 is the one to look at. The PS5 is physically larger all round. In the weight column, the PS4 leads by 3.75 lb.
Design & Size
| Spec | PS5 | PS4 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.35 in | 10.83 in |
| Height | 4.09 in | 2.09 in |
| Depth | 10.24 in | 12.01 in |
| Weight | 9.92 lb Heaviest in class | 6.17 lb (winner) |
Performance
PS5 leads
The performance numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the PS5. The PS5 makes its case with 459% more GPU compute. GPU compute is a headline figure for graphics power, and more of it usually means sharper images or smoother frame rates. For performance, the PS5 is the one to beat.
GPU compute (FP32)
PS5: 10.28 TFLOPS PS4: 1.84 TFLOPS The PS5’s extra compute gives games more room for higher resolutions and richer effects.
Hardware ray tracing
PS5: yes PS4: no Ray tracing is demanding, so games often offer it as an optional mode that trades some frame rate for looks.
Memory & Storage
PS5 leads
Here the PS5 opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The PS5 scores with 325 GB more built-in storage. Check the expansion options in the table; extra storage can often be added later, at a cost. The memory & storage verdict goes to the PS5.
Built-in storage
PS5: 825 GB PS4: 500 GB With the PS5, you can keep more games ready to play without deleting old favorites.
System memory
PS5: 16 GB PS4: 8 GB The PS5’s extra memory is a form of future-proofing for more demanding games.
Features & Media
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the features & media details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Full Specifications
Performance
| Spec | PS5 | PS4 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Zen 2, 8 cores / 16 threads | AMD Jaguar, 8 cores |
| CPU max clock | 3.50 GHz | N/A (not specified) |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based, up to 2.23 GHz | AMD Radeon-based graphics engine |
| GPU compute units | 36 | N/A (not specified) |
| GPU compute (FP32)Manufacturer figure | 10.28 TFLOPS (winner) | 1.84 TFLOPS Least GPU power in class |
| Max output resolution | 8K output; 4K at 120 Hz | 1080p |
| Max frame rate | 120 fps | N/A (not specified) |
| Hardware ray tracing | Yes (winner) | No |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | PS5 | PS4 |
|---|---|---|
| System memory | 16 GB (winner) | 8 GB Least memory in class |
| Memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s (winner) | 176 GB/s Least memory bandwidth |
| Built-in storage | 825 GB (winner) | 500 GB Least storage in class |
| Storage type | Custom NVMe SSD | 2.5-inch HDD |
| Storage expansion | M.2 NVMe SSD slot; USB extended storage | Replaceable 2.5-inch HDD |
Features & Media
| Spec | PS5 | PS4 |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | Ultra HD Blu-ray | Blu-ray |
| Handheld play | No | No |
| Built-in screen | None | None |
| Backward compatibility | Most PS4 games | N/A (not specified) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n) |
Design & Size
| Spec | PS5 | PS4 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 15.35 in | 10.83 in |
| Height | 4.09 in | 2.09 in |
| Depth | 10.24 in | 12.01 in |
| Weight | 9.92 lb Heaviest in class | 6.17 lb (winner) |
Price
| Spec | PS5 | PS4 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $500 | $400 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Compare the launch prices and they sit 25% apart, or $100 in real money. The value question is simple: are 459% more GPU compute and 325 GB more built-in storage worth $100 to you? If so, the PS5 makes sense.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked November 2020. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the PS5 if…
- you want more GPU compute for sharper, smoother games (10.28 TFLOPS vs 1.84 TFLOPS)
- you want room for more games before juggling installs (825 GB vs 500 GB)
- you want more system memory (16 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want hardware ray tracing
- you find that the improvements in the PS5 match what you need
Choose the PS4 if…
- you move your console between rooms or take it on trips (6.17 lb vs 9.92 lb)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($100 less)
- you’re fine skipping this generation’s changes
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the PS5 or the PS4?
The PS5 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless the PS4 you own hasn’t given you a reason to switch.
Should I upgrade from the PS4 to the PS5?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the PS5 offers 459% more GPU compute, 325 GB more built-in storage and 8 GB more memory compared with the PS4.
Which is larger, the PS5 or the PS4?
The PS4 is actually the more compact one. It measures 10.83 × 2.09 × 12.01 in, while the PS5 comes in at 15.35 × 4.09 × 10.24 in.
Does the PS5 perform better than the PS4?
The PS5 should be the quicker of the two, with 459% more GPU compute and hardware ray tracing on its side.
Which costs less, the PS5 or the PS4?
Going by launch prices, the PS4 costs $100 less than the PS5. Prices as of November 2020; current offers may differ.
Is the PS5 lighter than the PS4?
The PS4 is lighter, by 3.75 lb.
Which has more storage, the PS5 or the PS4?
Going by the spec sheets, the PS5 has the larger figure: 825 GB, against 500 GB.
Executive Summary
The PS5 replaces the PS4, and my first question with any successor is always the same: what actually changed? Practically speaking, the PS5’s biggest advantage is 459% more GPU compute. Beyond that, 325 GB more built-in storage gives the PS5 another edge. Still, if you care most about a 3.75 lb lighter body, the PS4 deserves a look.
A quick self-test: do you care more about performance or portability? The first answer means the PS5, the second means the PS4.
My pick: the PS5 if you’re buying fresh, but I wouldn’t rush to replace a working PS4.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.