It’s time to kill the Playstation 5

Linus Tech Tips
29 Feb 202420:44

TLDRIn this video transcript, the speaker discusses the possibility of building a gaming PC that can compete with the performance of a PlayStation 5 within the same budget. They detail the components chosen, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and Intel Arc A770 GPU, and the compromises made to achieve a $500 price point. The speaker also shares their experiences with various games, highlighting the PC's performance, HDR issues, and loading times, ultimately showing that while consoles offer a more straightforward experience, a budget gaming PC can still deliver a competitive gaming experience.

Takeaways

  • 🎮 A PC with similar price to PlayStation 5 can compete or even outperform it in some games.
  • 💰 Sony and Microsoft sell their gaming consoles at a loss to attract customers to their ecosystem and services.
  • 🚀 Technology advancements and market competition have enabled gaming PCs to match the price and performance of consoles like the PlayStation 5.
  • 💡 The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X with Zen 3 architecture is a budget-friendly choice for gaming PCs.
  • 🔧 A used power supply from Seasonic, despite being second-hand, can still provide reliable performance.
  • 🛠️ Building a PC with compatible and cost-effective components can result in significant savings.
  • 🎲 The Intel Arc A770 GPU, despite some compatibility issues, offers a competitive option for gaming PCs.
  • 🖥️ HDR support on Intel Arc GPUs is not as robust as AMD or Nvidia, which can impact image quality in some games.
  • 💻 Gaming on a PC can provide a better image quality and more customization options compared to consoles.
  • 🎮 Even with a budget constraint, it's possible to assemble a gaming PC that offers a comparable or superior gaming experience to a PlayStation 5.
  • 🔗 Seasonic's Vertex lineup offers high-quality power supplies with a 12-year warranty and transferable warranty support.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is a comparison between a gaming PC built for $500 and a PlayStation 5, discussing their performance in various games and the overall value for the price.

  • Why do Sony and Microsoft sell their gaming consoles at a loss initially?

    -Sony and Microsoft sell their gaming consoles at a loss initially to lock customers into their ecosystem, which includes accessories, subscription services, and software, all of which are sold for a profit.

  • What CPU was initially considered for the gaming PC build?

    -The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X with eight Zen 2 cores was initially considered for the gaming PC build to match the PlayStation 5's specs.

  • Which CPU was eventually chosen for the gaming PC build, and why?

    -The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X was eventually chosen for the gaming PC build because its Zen 3 architecture makes it a budget king for gaming, and it consumes only 65 watts, resulting in savings on power supply costs.

  • What is the downside of using a B450 motherboard in the build?

    -The downside of using a B450 motherboard is that it is limited to PCI Express Gen 3 rather than Gen 4, which means the system might struggle to get maximum performance out of future GPUs and does not support some of the PS5's most advertised features.

  • What storage device was used in the gaming PC build, and how does it compare to the PlayStation 5's storage?

    -A 1TB Samsung 970 EVO+ SSD was used in the gaming PC build. It runs at only about 3/5ths of the speed of the PlayStation 5's storage, but it is a reputable name-brand drive, and most PC games are optimized for SATA SSDs or even hard drives, so there is minimal impact on gaming performance.

  • How did the Intel Arc A770 GPU perform in the gaming tests?

    -The Intel Arc A770 GPU showed improved compatibility and had 16 gigs of GDDR6 memory. Despite some initial issues with HDR and crashes, after some configuration adjustments, it performed well, providing smooth gameplay experiences with competitive frame rates.

  • What was the total cost of the gaming PC build?

    -The total cost of the gaming PC build was $475, which is within the $500 budget they aimed for and even included some wiggle room.

  • What are some potential downsides of building a PC from second-hand components?

    -Potential downsides of building a PC from second-hand components include the risk of running into broken hardware, incompatibilities, lack of warranty on most parts, and the time investment required to source and assemble the components.

  • How does the video demonstrate the value of the PlayStation 5 compared to a budget gaming PC?

    -The video demonstrates that while a budget gaming PC can offer competitive performance, the PlayStation 5 retains better value for a longer period due to its ecosystem, support, and included controller. It may take another year or two before a new machine can beat the console's value for the same budget.

  • What is the significance of the Seasonic power supply used in the video?

    -The significance of the Seasonic power supply is that it is a reliable, second-hand unit that still performs well with modern hardware. Seasonic is commended for standing behind their products with long transferable warranties, which adds value and trust for consumers.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 PC vs PlayStation 5: The Price-Performance Battle

This paragraph discusses the possibility of building a PC with gaming performance comparable to a PlayStation 5 at the same price point. It highlights the strategies employed by Sony and Microsoft to sell their consoles at a loss to attract customers to their ecosystem, and how the used market and competition have enabled the creation of a budget gaming PC that can rival the PS5's performance. The focus is on making smart choices for real-world performance while staying within a tight budget, and the importance of selecting the right components for a successful build.

05:01

💰 Budget Gaming PC Build: Saving and Compromising

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of the budget gaming PC build, emphasizing the savings achieved by using a AMD Ryzen 5 5600X instead of a Ryzen 7 3700X and the impact of choosing an older power supply. It also discusses the selection of a motherboard, the importance of compatibility, and the trade-offs involved with the chosen RAM and storage options. The paragraph highlights the challenges of building a budget PC that can match the performance of a PS5 while staying within a $500 budget.

10:03

🌐 HDR and GPU Issues in PC Gaming

This paragraph addresses the issues encountered with HDR support on Intel Arc GPUs and the performance improvements achieved after enabling specific settings. It compares the image quality and performance between the PC build and the PlayStation 5, noting the differences in render scale, frame rates, and loading times. The conversation also touches on the smoothness of gameplay and the impact of upscaling on performance, as well as the challenges of achieving consistent frame rates in different games.

15:04

🎮 Detailed Comparison: PlayStation 5 vs Budget PC

The fourth paragraph continues the detailed comparison between the PlayStation 5 and the budget PC build, focusing on the image quality, frame rates, and performance in specific games. It discusses the upscaling and HDR issues faced in certain games on the PC, the differences in detail and sharpness, and the overall gaming experience on both platforms. The paragraph also mentions the inclusion of a controller with the PS5 and the lack of a warranty and peripherals with the budget PC build.

20:05

🔌 Seasonic Shoutout and Market Tips

In the final paragraph, the focus shifts to the sponsor, Seasonic, and their reliable power supply products, highlighting the performance of an older unit in the build and the company's strong warranty policy. The paragraph also provides advice on buying components from marketplaces, emphasizing the importance of testing items before confirming purchases and being cautious with sellers who are unwilling to demonstrate that their products are functional.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5, commonly known as PS5, is Sony's latest gaming console. It is noted for its high-performance hardware, fast load times, and integrated support for HDR and other advanced gaming features. In the video, the PS5 is used as a benchmark to compare with a gaming PC build, highlighting the price-to-performance ratio and gaming experience.

💡Gaming PC

A gaming PC is a personal computer specifically assembled or configured for gaming, with hardware components optimized to run games smoothly and at high graphical settings. In the context of the video, the creators aim to build a gaming PC that can compete with or even outperform the PS5 in terms of price and performance.

💡Price-to-performance ratio

The price-to-performance ratio is a measure used to determine the value of a product by comparing its cost to its performance capabilities. In the context of the video, this ratio is crucial for comparing the gaming PC build with the PS5, aiming to show that a PC can offer similar or better gaming experiences at the same price point.

💡AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a mid-range processor from AMD, featuring six Zen 3 architecture cores and a focus on high gaming performance at a budget-friendly price. It is chosen for the gaming PC build in the video due to its excellent performance per watt and its status as the 'budget king' for gaming at the time of the video.

💡Intel Arc A770

The Intel Arc A770 is a graphics processing unit (GPU) from Intel, designed for gaming and content creation. It is featured in the video as the GPU for the gaming PC build, chosen for its competitive performance and large GDDR6 memory. The video discusses the GPU's compatibility improvements and performance in various games.

💡HDR (High Dynamic Range)

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a technology that enhances the color and contrast range of video or images, providing a more vivid and lifelike visual experience. In the video, HDR is a key feature compared between the PS5 and the gaming PC, with discussions on the PC's ability to support HDR and the visual differences it creates in gaming.

💡Compatibility

Compatibility refers to the ability of different hardware or software components to work together without issues. In the context of the video, compatibility is crucial when selecting components for the gaming PC build, especially with the Intel Arc A770 GPU and its interaction with various games and settings.

💡Budget build

A budget build refers to a computer or device assembled with cost constraints in mind, aiming to achieve the best performance possible within a limited price range. The video focuses on creating a budget gaming PC that can rival the performance of a PS5 while staying within a $500 budget.

💡Performance settings

Performance settings in gaming refer to the adjustable parameters within a game or system that affect how the game runs, such as resolution, frame rate, and graphical detail. The video involves tweaking these settings to optimize the gaming experience on the PC build and compare it with the PS5's performance.

💡Marketplace bargain hunting

Marketplace bargain hunting involves searching for and purchasing goods, often electronics or computer components, at a lower price than retail value. This typically occurs on online marketplaces like eBay or local listings. In the video, the creators source components for the gaming PC build from various marketplaces to stay within budget.

💡Warranty

A warranty is a guarantee provided by manufacturers or sellers for their products, promising repairs or replacements if the product fails to meet certain standards. In the video, the warranty is discussed in the context of the power supply from Seasonic, highlighting the importance of warranty for consumer protection and peace of mind.

Highlights

A PC with similar price to PlayStation 5 can outperform it in gaming.

Sony and Microsoft sell their hardware at a loss to lock users into their ecosystem.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X with Zen 3 architecture is a budget king for gaming.

A gaming PC can be built with a tight budget by making smart compromises.

AMD's AM4 socket offers compatibility with three generations of motherboards.

B series chipsets like B550 and B450 are recommended for important features and build quality.

PCI Express Gen 3 is a compromise compared to the fast SSD of PlayStation 5.

The Intel Arc A770 GPU with 16 GB GDDR6 memory was chosen for its compatibility improvements.

Enabling above 4G decoding and resizable bar support is crucial for optimal performance on Intel Arc.

HDR support on Intel Arc is spotty compared to AMD and Nvidia's proprietary implementations.

The PC build achieved 120 FPS in DOOM Eternal after configuration adjustments.

The PlayStation 5 has a clear advantage with its HDR support and calibration.

The total cost of the PC build was $475, showing that quality gaming can be affordable.

Seasonic power supplies have long transferable warranties and are reliable even for second-hand units.

The Intel Arc GPU had some issues with certain games, including crashes and limited HDR support.

The exercise showed that with creativity, a PC can match or beat a PlayStation 5 experience within the same budget.

The Intel Arc A770 provided a smooth gaming experience with no noticeable stutter.

The PC build managed to achieve 30 FPS in The Last of Us Part 1 with some optimization.

The PC's image quality was sometimes better than the PlayStation 5, especially with certain settings.

Building a PC requires time and effort in sourcing parts and dealing with potential hardware issues.