DF Weekly: New PS5 Pro GPU details emerge - including a 2.35GHz max boost clock

Digital Foundry has new details on the PS5 Pro GPU - including its maximum boost clock and new features.

[purple101]

@christopher, yes will do,

Also, Can you just imagine what 1st party games will look like on this beast. The next horizon, or the next ratchet and clank, wolverine etc. it’s going to be insane graphics!!!

People on twitter are saying, this is similar to a downclocked RX7800xt. Which is £499 by its self. So expect this to be pricey.

[Number1TailzFan]

CPU is going to let it down though frame rate wise. Good GPU upgrade and tiny clock increase on a CPU that's been around since 2019. That's a pretty lop sided console.

[Einhander1972]

That's not how it works on console... on console a lot of what is done on the CPU on PC is offloaded to the GPU on console. And even then it's rare to see games on console even when poorly optimized that are truly CPU bottlenecked.

And the whole argument is pointless because they can always lower resolution or post processing (PP is mostly be offloaded to GPU these days in well optimized games). And that's not even talking about the benefit of upscaling with PSSR and the fact that the PSSR and RT cores are independent from CU's making everything much more streamlined and efficient.

The CPU issue is the same type misinformation that was spread about PS5 like it won't have ML or be able to do FSR and won't have raytracing and all the other B.S. which unironically was all covered and spread by DF.

[Cacabunga]

I prefer to hear about the games supporting PS Pro

[TheViltsuZ]

You are getting downvoted despite telling the facts.
Console kids are pathetic. Ready to waste 600€ on a useless Pro lol.

[andy85]

@TheViltsuZ useless Pro that is impossible to get better specs in a PC anywhere near the price? Alright 😂

[Eonjay]

@Einhander1972 are the RT cores independent of the CUs now? If that is the case then the next question is whether this is indicative of where Ryzen 4+ is going (a la Nvidia and Intel) or is this thing just custom to hell and back. Everything else you said is accurate and verified.

[Eonjay]

Regular PS5 already runs pretty solid framerates in mostly all games. The Pro will only make this even better.
Which is funny because I feel like you know they wouldn't release a broken product just because.

[TrueRican69]

Seen to me that we got a Xbox fanboy complaining about PlayStation

[JL2930]

PP.

[Babadook7]

“CPU is going to let it down though frame rate wise.“

This is just what a .5 console update has to have. You can’t introduce a new CPU until a new gen. And that being said with “frame gen” the Pros PSSR would boost FPS without a bump in CPU.

[Felix_Argyle_Catbro]

If you care this much about specs then get a PC.
There is nothing more embarrassing than a console warrior masturbating over specs.

[Eonjay]

People care more about money than specs. The fact that you can get a $400 console and can game with modern graphic tech is really a savior to a lot of people. Gaming for all.

[buffig]

There are loads of things more embarrassing. One such example being told in big letters at the launch of a game, that it will require a 3rd party account. Then when told to sign up, throw all your toys out of the pram and act like its an assualt on your human rights, despite it being a standard industry practice and already signing up for dozens of very similar accounts. That's quite embarrassing

[Felix_Argyle_Catbro]

Insomniac leak revealed that the next Ratchet isn't coming out until 2029.

[darthv72]

I'll buy one... then again I buy any & all new hardware releases.

[Eonjay]

Will you keep your original (for collection purposes) or do you see them when you upgrade? I think I might sell my PS5 when the Pro comes out (I don't need another one for my office or anything like that) and then put that money towards the Switch 2 when it comes out. So then keep the Pro and Switch 2 hooked up and rock out like that.

[darthv72]

Oh i always keep the original. It will still be needed to wear the spiderman side panels.

[andy85]

Personally I sell. I think my PS4 Pro cost me about £100 after selling regular PS4 I expect the PS5 Pro to be about £100 after I've sold my regular PS5 too. Certainly worth the upgrade cost

[Eonjay]

So after doing some research, I think I am going to hold on to this one and use it as an eventual emulation machine.

[Hugodastrevas]

Yeah, cool, but what about some games for a change? Graphical prowess is all fine and dandy, but to use on what? Show me games Sony!

[Einhander1972]

Granblue Fantasy: Relink, Hell Divers 2, Rise of the Ronin, Final Fantasy: Rebirth, Stellar Blade.

So far I'd say this year has been stacked, I'm looking forward to Silent Hill 2 which also seems to be right around the corner.

[Moegooner]

Not a single first party exclusive. It's an embarrassment when taking into consideration the benchmark Sony set.

[Charlieboy333]

@ Moe All Sony's first party hits come out in the last 3 or so years of the generation. Happened with PS3, happened with PS4 and will happen with PS5. You either have memory loss or are just acting ignorant on purpose for some stupid reason.

[shinoff2183]

For Sony to have a down year, it's acceptable. Especially considering the other side has went multiple years at a time without exclusives let alone good games. Let's be real moegooner

[CrashMania]

@Moegooner.

Guy names exclusives that all released in the first 4 months of the year. They are still there even if not first party.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

That is the disappointing thing about the PS5, it's library pales in comparison to previous Playstation generations, I miss the amount and variety of exclusives we used to get.

[Einhander1972]

These guys are such haters, let me give some examples.

They talk about the Starfield 60 fps update while trying to cover their own butts after more or less telling people it couldn't happen because they were fully defending the fact that the game was locked at 30 FPS at release. (Which totally wasn't because the game was rushed out of course..) While going on and on about how revolutionary and innovative Microsoft is for having 40hz modes and unlocked framerate... Uh Miles Morales and Spider-Man Remake... pretty much every single Sony exclusive and remake this gen has had these features.... I guess they just forgot, since they didn't mention PlayStation or their games even once in that segment. But ya, we're all so glad for Microsoft innovation!

Then they talk about the PS5 Pro while avoiding talking about their previous framerate comments which haven't really aged well given how obviously misguided it was. They must have known what they were saying was questionable at best but they said it anyway...

And of course, that didn't keep them from talking down and using negative descriptors over and over when talking about the Pro. A perfect example is when they talk about how PS5 will have hardware VRS which they have constantly talked up in the past, but when they talk about it here it's all negativity, I liked when they showed a single still image of VRS they chose a game which they claimed to be the worst implementation to highlight the feature, got to make it look bad for PlayStation... Which is funny because in this video they do talk positively about VRS and how it will pair well with upscaling, but they don't talk about PSSR of course every upscaling tech but PSSR...

They also talk about NVIDIA bringing DLSS and ray tracing to older games, but have they ever mentioned the fact that PSSR is rumored to have the same feature of being able to be implemented on older games, not that I can remember and definitely not in this video...

The whole thing reminded me of their comparison videos where if they can find even a single segment of the PS5 version that drops under 60 FPS you can bet your lifesavings they are going to show that clip in the first 60 seconds of the video, even if the game holds 60 fps in the other 99% of the game.

Then getting back to framerate they took a question about the Switch 2 where a user asked if it could have 4k 60fps DLSS. Which they say is unlikely unless they lower resolution. Which apparently they didn't consider when they made their PS5 Pro video. After all, why would anyone think that the PS5 Pro would also be able to lower resolution and use things like DRS to maintain stable framerates on top of PSSR. It's not like DRS and resolutions lower than 4k have been used in basically every game for the whole generation... guess it just slipped their minds, honest oversight I'm sure.

And I like how in all the fan comments they responded too, they only took one question from a PlayStation owner which they just made look ridiculous while taking just the most fawning xbox questions for most of the other 99% of the user feedback.

I'm sure the usual people will write off or get angry at my opinion. But lots of people see them as extremely biased in their coverage, it's not just my opinion. There is a reason so few PlayStation owners support them on their Patreon... as the saying goes where there is smoke there is fire. If so many people view them as biased there must be a reason they all think that.

I truly wish we could have someone that does the kind of coverage they do but was actually neutral, heck I would be happy if they just admitted their own bias... though I'm sure the money doesn't allow them too.

[Tacoboto]

I'm not angry about your opinion because your opinion makes it clear (as clear as this unstable word mess is) that:

You do not read or listen to anything you claim to pay attention to. They express concern about Starfield and how it likely won't even hold 60fps because Bethesda emphasizes VRR. They even complain that the 40hz mode comes tied to VRR displays when it shouldn't be required. They complain that Microsoft is introducing a difference between first party S and X modes. They complain about the Series S being left out because based on the X, there's image quality they could sacrifice.

Why the heck would they talk about PSSR when the topic of discussion with Nvidia was about an Nvidia exclusive software tool?

And VRS. They dont like VRS. They don't say it's been done well, that it isn't worth it, even on Xbox that does have hardware support.

This is the longest rant I've seen here, congrats on that and yet not having even one thing from the episode right.

[S2Killinit]

I wholeheartedly agree about DF being biased.

[Eonjay]

So besides the whole Sega thing, PC elitists for some reason believe that in order to be a fan of PC gaming, you have to pick a fight with Sony be cause its the largest in gaming and the console space. Also, Sony is top tier when it comes to developers and they feel like they need to tear down the console to get Sony to release day one on PC. The thing is, Sony is going day one on PC anyway and they are gonna keep doing the console thing. This pisses them off. They don't think that 'peasants' should have access to higher end gaming experiences. Its makes them feel special to have something someone else doesn't.

[fsfsxii]

Yeah nobody with a braincell that is functioning is taking DF seriously after they constantly downplay Playstation but praise nintendo to high heavens for having a game that boots up and runs at 15fps

[ReignMan_27]

NXGamer on Youtube does, somewhat, the same type of coverage that Digital Foundry does. He has his own channel, but he works for IGN as well. Haven't watched any of his videos lately (work and other things have been taking up a lot of my time) but from what I remember from his videos, he seemed neutral and informative. He's just not as consistent as DF with his uploads

[SeTTriP]

Nxgamer does a good job without the bias.i said this when the details first got leaked (check my comments) and DF has always had an biases towards p.c and by extension MS.they hate the fact (to the point of being triggered) that PS exclusives be on par with p.c, that a 500 dollar plug n play model can keep up with thousand dollar p.c's it throws everything they know about specs out the window, and the one guy Alex can't control his bias and is easily triggered by sony's first party or get bitter when 3rd party games run better on ps.

As a ps fan who values honesty stay away from DF they bitter.

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

Funny. I just watched a video of Alex breaking down Nvidia presentation in GDC and talking about their technologies and better path tracing. Out of nowhere he showed a comparison between PS5 and 4090 in Alan Wake 2 saying how terrible and broken the reflections and shadows look on PS5 compared to PC. Good video, but the bias is real.

[Umb]

You can try NX Gamer
https://www.youtube.com/@NX...
Pretty neutral and balance.
I stopped listending to DF eversince the PS3 / X360 era. The MS shilling was staring to show.

[shadowT]

I will stick with my Slim

[Moegooner]

Most useless hardware update in history.

[Aloymetal]

Series S???

[babadivad]

Literally

[Chocoburger]

Not the 32x? Jaguar CD? Or even the Xbox One SAD?

No! Its the PS5 receiving a massive GPU boost thats the most useless hardware update in history!

Written by a person who doesn't know gaming history at all, of course. Yet he types with such cool and collected confidence. The sign of intelligence if I've ever seen it.

[purple101]

Gameboy colour, to gameboy sp

That one wins it for me

[mkis007]

Wasnt it color to advanced, sp had the built in back light.

[victorMaje]

Once again, at this point I’d rather have better AI, physics, enemies, game & level design, which I still think devs can achieve on current hardware.
This obsession with better graphics is sacrificing better gameplay. Case in point: HFW is the better looking game, HZD is the better game.

Great gameplay + good graphics > great graphics + good gameplay.

[Chocoburger]

You're not getting any of that because executives and marketers run the industry completely now. They need top end visuals similar to how all these big budget action movies need top end special effects and CG in order to get the dumb and causal masses interested in their product.

They have to appeal to them to maximize profits, and thusly game developers have no choice but to focus on the most shallow elements of gaming these days.

[VariantAEC]

What is HFW missing gameplay wise that HZD had?

[victorMaje]

It's not sthg missing. On the contrary personally I felt like they tried too much. Bigger or more is not always better.
HFW Graphics is on another level. Story is still great, HZD's mystery & lore were new & fresh, FW did a good job progressing it.

Imho combat in HZD felt tighter. Getting better at combat came more naturally to me with ZD than FW. Between weapon/arrow types & status effects it felt like too much. Dodging felt nerfed & God forbid you get knocked down, I hated how it felt like forever to get back up.
Combat felt like they tried to fix sthg that really wasn't broken. Again, my opinion, ZD's combat had more simplicity in its design which made for more practical less chaotic encouters, & more fun.

The skill tree unlocks I didn't really care for most, I ended up using 1 or 2 of the surges. It felt more like quantity than quality. Getting weapon materials for upgrades sometimes felt like a drag & certain weapons didn't feel like they were adding anything to the mix, again quantity over quality.

Exploration, FW's beautifully crafted zones are out of this world, that is undeniable. Cauldrons & tallneck puzzles were kept fresh which was nice. Unfortunately, afaic, extensive use of fast travel (which I ended up doing a lot) is a sign of less engagement, therefore less immersion. ZD had this sense of mystery & discovery that I just didn't feel as much for FW's larger map.

Climbing felt clunky & slow, though gliding was nice. Picking things up became annoying with the animation (turned it off in the settings which made for a way more enjoyable experience).

To be fair, I feel exploration would have been more fun had I completed the story before going for side quests, as you only get certain unlockables (item/mount) towards the end of the story. Problem is I usually go for side quests before moving on with the main story so it was only until much later that I got to experience exploration in a more fun way.

Overall, HFW is undeniably better in many aspects but imho HZD had better pacing, tighter & more pratical combat & a more fun gameplay loop.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Not only that, but it makes games more expensive to develop and increase the development time.

[Asuka]

I'll pass.

[smolinsk]

Now we just need the games. Nothing Big and interesting has been out since Elden ring broke the internet.

[andy85]

Baldurs Gate 3? It literallly set the bar for RPGs. Last year was absolutely stacked with high quality releases. You mustn't game that much

[smolinsk]

Just not a game for me. These top down view games is not Big AAA exciting games people are hungry after. The fact that Baldurs gate won game of the year is saying everything about where gaming is. Not that Baldurs gate is a bad game but absolutely not game of the year in a normal stable world a few years back.

[andy85]

I personally think it would have won in pretty much every year. Youre forgetting In that normal stable world years back Overwatch and Dragon Age Inquisition won it. Developers came out and said its unfair how much the RPG bar was raised by BG3. It wasn't getting beat in many years, probably not even in Elden Rings considering how close it got pushed by God of War

[SeTTriP]

You say that because you haven't played it.bg3 could win goty by any metric you throw at it in any year you perceive it to be weak in.
And this is coming from someone who's only played two crpg's ice wind dale being the first.

[TrueRican69]

All them rumors got to stop into Sony address the issue and say something about PS5 pro besides that your people are so stupid for believing f****** rumors just wait until Sony say something to stop believing people s*** who make article just to release something.

[Firebird360]

Whats the reason for this when 90% of games released are still built on ps4 og tech.

[andy85]

Isn't really true for 2024 though is it. And the reason is cause a lot of people have had their consoles 4 years and want an upgrade

[Abear21]

Gta6 is enough to warrant a purchase, usually get the invite to direct order through Sony but my ps plus has lapsed not holding my breath on that happening. I might re-subscribe just to be sure lol, these pro consoles like everything Sony niche will be near impossible to purchase for first 8 months at least. Especially with a holiday release it is scalpers delight.

[PassNextquestion]

I found it interesting the GPU feature set of the PS5 Pro will be expanded from the PS5. We will have to wait and see whether those additional features get utilised as they will still need to stay compatible with the original PS5.