The year 2020 has not been easy when it comes to the world of video games. Despite some difficulties, particularly at the start of the year, and video games having been postponed on numerous occasions, the year 2020 made its mark with the release of Next Gen , understand new generation consoles. 2021 also seems to continue this momentum, with quite a few new features expected throughout this new year.
No need to remind you anymore, the PS5 as well as the Xbox Series X made their comeback but the consoles were not the only ones to be brought up to date. A little more discreet among the general public, gaming enthusiasts, for their part, were able to take advantage of all the new configurations for PC , in particular with the release of the 30X0 series graphics card from Nvidia.
A bit like a classic between OM and PSG, the PlayStation and the PC Gamer are often compared. It is clear that this battle continues, here we are going to ask ourselves which is the best choice for playing in 4K ? Rather PS5 or PC, we admit the competition promises to be rather tough between these two gaming leaders.
But first, what is 4K?
Before getting to the heart of the matter, let's first go over the basics, we don't want to lose you from the first lines. 4K was first promoted by television brands, promising a quality image without a name.
To be more precise, 4K is in fact a digital image format displaying an image resolution of 4094 x 2160 pixels , a total of more than 8 million pixels , just that! To give you an idea, HD screens display a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, which means that the arrival of the 4K screen has caused a big boom in the world of gaming.
For the record, the term 4K literally means 4 kilos , the kilo representing a unit of 1000. The horizontal resolution of the screen is therefore 4000, it's that simple. Moreover, if we do the calculation, relatively roughly, between the HD screen and 4K, the latter ultimately has 4 times more pixels . As a simple user, this will simply result in a more beautiful image, more beautiful colors, in short, exemplary quality.
Why is it interesting to play in 4K?
As you will have understood, 4K provides unprecedented quality, whether when watching a film or playing video games. Obviously, the primary criterion remains the quality of the image. So, for video games like Red Dead Redemption 2 ™ or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt™ where the immersive side of the game is necessary, playing on a 4K screen will be significantly more enjoyable. You will dive into the game settings and be totally immersed in your game!
However, it should be noted that playing with this type of screen can reduce the number of FPS (Frames per Second). FPS defines the number of frames displayed on the screen per second . 30 FPS is the lowest rate. 240 being the highest rate. The higher your rate, the faster your screen refreshes.
You will have understood, Fortnite players, or other shooting games, prefer to play at 120 FPS on an HD screen while players preferring story modes will rather turn to a very high resolution screen.
Can you play in 4K on PlayStation 5?
Appearing on the market on November 19, 2020, the PS5 is making a lot of noise: a completely new and futuristic design, the possibility of playing in 4K at 120 FPS thanks to its HDMI 2.1 port, a new interface, in short Sony has seen the big things. Sony even promised the arrival of 8K, which means that the publisher is thinking big!
To play in 4K on the PS5, you will of course need to have a 4K screen . Then, you will need to make some adjustments from the PS5 settings. Everything is also very well explained on the official PS5 website. All you have to do is plug it in and you're done.
Good to know : If you want to play the PS5 on a 4K screen anywhere, it's possible! Do you know about portable monitors? These are transportable Mini screens, they are the ideal accessory for all geeks who like to play everywhere, whether at friends' houses or on vacation! We invite you to see our comparison of 4K portable monitors !
The best price to buy a Playstation 5
How to play in 4K on a Gaming PC?
The PC Gamer is quite simply a computer designed to run video games . You will agree that it is not possible to play God of War™ on a computer intended solely for office use, that goes without saying.
There are obviously configurations at all prices but when you equip yourself with the right components, the performance of the PC is unparalleled. To play in 4K in the best conditions , we will opt for a Ryzen 7 (or its equivalent from Intel), a GeForce RTX 2060 with 6 GB of RAM, without forgetting the cooler for your processor. This configuration allows you to play in 4K but also to stream at the same time , this is often a crucial element for PC gamers.
Obviously, this is one example among many others. Customization is indeed a big advantage when playing on PC, especially with a 4K screen. You therefore have many choices available to you and which you can adapt according to your piggy bank. To choose a 4k PC screen , you will also have to be careful, many brands are fighting for 1st place. When switching from an Ultra-wide monitor to a curved screen, the choice can be difficult! Discover the best 4K PC screens for gamers in our COMPARISON!
The match is on and the price remains a strong argument for playing in 4K
If you are still hesitating between the PS5 or the gaming PC to play in 4K, you will certainly have to compare the models and their price . A few years ago, the console would have won the battle hands down but the computers have not said their last word.
Indeed, it is now possible to obtain correct configurations for a reasonable budget, that is to say that it is no longer necessary to pay €1,500 to run a video game on a PC, even in 4K!
The best complete gaming PCs for playing in 4K!
Furthermore, we must not forget that the console often requires a monthly subscription to access online games, this is an aspect that must not be forgotten. However, if we do the calculations of the components found in the PS5 , we still obtain the modest sum of around €1,300. So, if you want your PC to have the same characteristics as the PS5, the bill is rather steep... It must be admitted, on this one, the PS5 wins the first point .
Round two: play in 4K with quality components
As we explained previously, the PS5 comes with quality components, but can it really stand up to a PC Gamer on which high-end components have been installed? Of course, it is more expensive but we can guarantee that investing in a quality and durable configuration will allow you to take full advantage of 4K for life .
This is undoubtedly the strong point of a Gaming PC, you compose and personalize your configuration and all you have to do is enjoy the beauty of the high resolution image provided by your 4K screen. In short, one point everywhere, the ball in the center for this second round!
Third round: a more present console community
Gaming in 4K is good, but being able to enjoy it with your friends is even better, right? Let's remember that, apart from solo players, video games bring us together and allow us to spend friendly time with our loved ones. However, it is true that PC gamers are often more solitary.
The best PS5 games of the moment!!!
Also, installing your own configuration with components is not an easy task for everyone. So, of course, you can find ready-made configs for playing in 4K but it often costs more than building your own PC . You can also hire an expert for this, but again, this comes at a cost, which not all players can afford.
As we said previously, the console arrives assembled, no hassle to have. You plug it into your 4K display and off you go. For evenings with friends , it's still easier to plug in a controller than to have to move your PC into the living room...
It seems that the PS5 is regaining the advantage, it's a close match, it must be admitted. 2-1 for Sony's new baby! Let’s continue our analysis and see if PC Gaming will succeed in reversing the trend…
Fourth round: playing in 4K with top-notch fluidity, is it possible?
One of the selling points of the PS5: being able to play in 4K and 120 FPS. The editorial staff wanted to explore this point further to be sure and we must admit, we were disappointed by Sony's Next Gen console... Yes, technically, the publisher Sony had announced such performances but by analyzing all of this from closer, we realize that there are not many games which are compatible with 4K and which are capable of going beyond 60 FPS, or even 30 FPS…
Worse still, a bug was recently reported and the PS5 connected to a Samsung QLED TV would not provide the expected quality. Sony is currently working on this problem but in the meantime players can only be patient…
Full HD or 4k on PC to have correct fluidity? On the PC Gamer side, we reassure you right away, if your configuration is high enough for 4K, you will be able to enjoy it 100%!
RTX 3080 or 3090 graphics card would be best for enjoying 4K. If your budget doesn't allow it, a 1080Ti graphics card can do the trick.
Moreover, it will be very easy for you to improve your components over the years in order to always be at the top of performance and 4K in this case.
You will have guessed it, it is without a doubt that the PC takes the advantage over the console for this fourth round. We are still tied, so the last round will help us decide between the PC and the PS5. Who will win? The answer is only a few lines away…
Final round: which games are compatible with 4K?
To continue this match in style, let's take a look at games compatible with 4K, you will have understood that being in possession of a 4K screen is not enough... As you can imagine, not all games offer this functionality. You must therefore be vigilant before investing in a Gaming PC or a PlayStation 5.
Second disappointment regarding games exclusive to the PS5. For its launch, the PS5 only offered 6 new features, namely:
- Marvel's Spider Man: Miles Morales™;
- Astro's Playroom™;
- Demon's Souls™;
- Godfall™;
- Sackboy: A big Adventure™;
- The Pathless™.
Our editorial team finds that, for a console of this size, Sony has not pushed the novelty as it could have done, and that is a shame...
For sure, the computer will not offer you any of these games exclusively, but video games on a computer guarantee you versatility. Don't forget that the cost of PC games is lower compared to a PS5 type console. This is therefore a criterion not to be neglected if you wish to invest in a 4K compatible configuration.
The PC also offers you the possibility of playing all the games and you will not have to worry about the compatibility of your video games.
Buy a 4k screen at the best price!
And the big winner is…
It seems that the PC Gamer is the big winner of this match and video game experts will surely agree with us.
Although the debate has raged for so many years, we must be able to form an opinion. So yes, everything is not all white or all black but the Gaming PC seems to us to be the best investment you can make, especially if it is to take advantage of your 4K screen.
We are talking about investment here because it is a real budget. But, you must also remember that the PC and its components will not be obsolete when a new range comes out and that it is always possible to modify your configuration unlike the console where you will not be able to upgrade the latter .
Let us also remember that the quality of the graphics will be truly better with a PC , which will necessarily influence the final rendering of your video game.
