We’ve suspected it was coming for quite a while, but the Playstation 4 Neo, now officially the PS4 Pro, is finally here. The improved hardware means 4K gaming support, improved 1080p gaming quality, and extended Playstation VR capabilities.
But gaming PCs grow cheaper, easier to build, and more capable by the day. AMD’s Radeon RX series pushed VR-ready pricing lower than ever, while delivering a smooth 60 frames per second at 2,560 x 1,440.
It also doesn’t help that consoles are still targeting lower performance qualities than on the PC side. Even the new PS4 Pro doesn’t promise 60 frames per second, a huge boost to clarity that has set the newest generation of consoles apart from even modest gaming computers.
The other big, splashy feature is 4K, HDR support, which is important in that 4K HDR sets will be quickly proliferating through North American homes. For now, it’s not going to be a useful feature, but you’ll be glad you had it when you upgrade your set. Then again, gaming PCs, including the RX series, support HDR over DisplayPort as well.
As the shift happens, the advantages that consoles once enjoyed over expensive, overweight gaming PCs are starting to fade away. It’s becoming easier to recommend building or buying a PC, even to the most die-hard console fanatics.
Is the Playstation 4 Pro the burst of speed that will raise the relevance of consoles in the face of 4K proliferation? Or is it a better idea than ever to start buying parts for that new battlestation you’ve been considering?
We’ll dive deep into what sets console and PC gamers apart, and look forward to the release to see what’s more cost-efficient, and which will provide better performance, on this week’s Close to the Metal, featuring Brad Bourque, Greg Nibbler, and Matt Smith.
