2020 was anything but a quiet year for the video game industry. Despite some difficulties, particularly at the beginning of the year, and numerous delays for video games, 2020 was a landmark year with the release of the next-gen . 2021 looks set to continue this momentum, with a number of new releases expected throughout the year.
No need to remind you, the PS5 and Xbox Series X have made their grand return, but consoles weren't the only things getting an update. A little less visible to the general public, gaming enthusiasts were able to enjoy all the new PC configurations , notably with the release of Nvidia's 30X0 series graphics card.
Much like the rivalry between Marseille and PSG, PlayStation and PC gaming are often compared. This battle clearly continues, and here we'll explore which is the best choice for 4K gaming . PS5 or PC? Admittedly, the competition between these two gaming giants is fierce.
But first, what is 4K?
Before getting to the heart of the matter, let's first go back to basics; we don't want to lose you right from the start. 4K was initially promoted by television brands, who promised unparalleled picture quality
To be more precise, 4K is actually a digital image format displaying an image resolution of 4094 x 2160 pixels , for a total of more than 8 million pixels , that's all! To give you an idea, HD screens display a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, so it's safe to say that the arrival of the 4K screen has caused a huge boom in the world of gaming.
As a little tidbit, the term 4K literally means 4 kilograms , with a kilogram representing a unit of 1,000. The horizontal resolution of the screen is therefore 4,000 pixels; it's as simple as that. Furthermore, if we do a rough calculation comparing an HD screen and a 4K screen, the latter actually has four times as many pixels . For the average user, this simply translates to a more beautiful image, more vibrant colors, in short, exceptional quality.
Why is it interesting to play in 4K?
As you've probably gathered, 4K delivers unprecedented quality, whether you're watching a movie or playing a video game. Of course, the primary criterion remains image quality. So, for video games like Red Dead Redemption 2 ™ or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt™, where immersion is key, playing on a 4K screen will be significantly more enjoyable. You'll be drawn into the game's environments and completely immersed in the experience!
However, it's important to note that playing on this type of screen can reduce the number of FPS (Frames Per Second). FPS defines the number of images displayed on the screen per second . 30 FPS is the lowest rate, while 240 is the highest. The higher your FPS, the faster your screen refreshes.
As you might have guessed, Fortnite players, or other shooting game players, prefer to play at 120 FPS on an HD screen, while players who prefer story modes will tend to use a very high resolution screen.
Can you play in 4K on the PlayStation 5?
Released on November 19, 2020, the PS5 has generated a lot of buzz: a completely new and futuristic design, the ability to play in 4K at 120 FPS thanks to its HDMI 2.1 port, a new interface—in short, Sony has gone all out. Sony even promised the arrival of 8K, so you can imagine the publisher's ambitions!
To play in 4K on the PS5, you'll obviously need a 4K screen . Then, you'll need to adjust a few settings in the PS5's settings menu. Everything is very well explained on the official PS5 website. Just plug everything in and you're good to go.
Good to know : If you want to play PS5 on a 4K screen anywhere, it's possible! Are you familiar with portable monitors? These are mini, portable screens, the perfect accessory for all geeks who love to play everywhere, whether at a friend's house or on vacation! We invite you to check out our comparison of 4K portable monitors !
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How to play in 4K on a gaming PC?
A gaming PC is simply a computer designed to run video games . You'll agree that it's not possible to play God of War™ on a computer intended solely for office work; that goes without saying.
There are, of course, configurations available at all price points, but when you equip yourself with the right components, the PC's performance is unparalleled. To play in 4K under optimal conditions , you would opt for a Ryzen 7 (or its Intel equivalent), a GeForce RTX 2060 with 6GB of RAM, and don't forget a CPU cooler. This configuration allows you to play in 4K and also stream simultaneously , which is often a crucial factor for PC gamers.
Of course, this is just one example among many. Customization is indeed a major advantage when gaming on a PC, especially with a 4K screen. You therefore have numerous options available to you, which you can adapt to your budget. Choosing a 4K PC monitor also requires caution, as many brands are vying for the top spot. Switching from an ultrawide monitor to a curved screen can make the choice difficult! Discover the best 4K PC monitors for gamers in our COMPARISON!
The game is on, and price remains a major factor in choosing to play in 4K
If you're still hesitating between the PS5 and a gaming PC for 4K gaming, you'll almost certainly want to compare the models and their prices . A few years ago, the console would have won hands down, but computers haven't given up yet.
Indeed, it is now possible to obtain decent configurations for a reasonable budget, meaning that it is no longer necessary to spend €1,500 to run a video game on PC, even in 4K!
The best complete gaming PCs for playing in 4K!
Furthermore, it's important to remember that the console often requires a monthly subscription to access online games; this is a factor that shouldn't be overlooked. Nevertheless, if we calculate the cost of the components inside the PS5 , we arrive at the modest sum of around €1,300. So, if you want your PC to have the same specifications as the PS5, the price tag is rather steep… Admittedly, in this respect, the PS5 wins the first point .
Round two: playing in 4K with high-quality components
As we explained previously, the PS5 comes with high-quality components, but can it really compete with a gaming PC equipped with top-of-the-line components? While it's certainly more expensive, we can guarantee that investing in a quality, long-lasting configuration will allow you to fully enjoy 4K for a lifetime .
This is undoubtedly the strong point of a gaming PC: you build and customize your configuration, and then all you have to do is enjoy the beauty of the high-resolution image provided by your 4K screen. In short, it's a tie, the ball's back in the center for this second round!
Third round: a more present console community
Playing in 4K is great, but being able to enjoy it with friends is even better, right? Let's not forget that, aside from solo players, video games bring us together and allow us to spend quality time with loved ones. However, it's true that PC gamers are often more solitary.
The best PS5 games right now!!!
Furthermore, building your own PC with components isn't easy for everyone. While you can certainly find pre-built 4K gaming PCs, these are often more expensive than assembling your own . You can also hire an expert, but again, this comes at a cost that not all gamers can afford.
As we mentioned earlier, the console arrives fully assembled, so there's no hassle. You just plug it into your 4K screen and you're good to go. For evenings with friends , it's definitely easier to plug in a controller than to have to move your PC around the living room…
It would seem that the PS5 has regained the advantage; it's a close match, admittedly. 2-1 for Sony's new baby! Let's continue our analysis and see if PC gaming can turn the tide…
Fourth round: Is it possible to play in 4K with top-notch fluidity?
One of the PS5's selling points is the ability to play in 4K at 120 FPS. Our team wanted to delve deeper into this to be sure, and we have to admit, we were disappointed by Sony's next-gen console… Yes, technically, Sony had announced such performance, but upon closer analysis, we realize that there aren't many games compatible with 4K that are capable of exceeding 60 FPS, or even 30 FPS…
Even worse, a bug has recently been reported, and the PS5, when connected to a Samsung QLED TV, is not delivering the expected picture quality. Sony is currently working on this issue, but in the meantime, gamers have no choice but to wait patiently…
Full HD or 4K on PC for decent fluidity? For PC gamers, rest assured, if your setup is powerful enough for 4K, you'll be able to enjoy it to the fullest!
RTX 3080 or 3090 graphics card would be ideal for enjoying 4K video. If your budget doesn't allow for that, a 1080Ti graphics card will do just fine.
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.
As you might have guessed, the PC undoubtedly has the upper hand over the console in this fourth round. We're still tied, so the final round will determine the winner between PC and PS5. Who will prevail? The answer is just a few lines away…
Final round: which games are compatible with 4K?
To continue this discussion, let's look at games compatible with 4K. As you've probably gathered, simply owning a 4K screen isn't enough… As you can imagine, not all games offer this feature. Therefore, you need to be careful before investing in a gaming PC or a PlayStation 5.
A second disappointment concerns PS5 exclusive games. At launch, the PS5 only offered 6 new titles, namely:
- Marvel's Spider Man: Miles Morales™;
- Astro's Playroom™;
- Demon's Souls™;
- Godfall™;
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure™;
- The Pathless™.
Our editorial team feels that, for a console of this scale, Sony hasn't pushed the boundaries of innovation as much as it could have, and that's a real shame…
While a computer won't offer exclusive access to any of these games, PC gaming guarantees versatility. Keep in mind that PC games are less expensive than those on a console like the PS5. This is a crucial factor to consider if you're planning to invest in a 4K-compatible setup.
The PC also offers you the possibility to play all games and you won't have to worry about the compatibility of your video games.
Buy a 4k screen at the best price!
And the big winner is…
It would seem 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, it's important to form an opinion. So yes, it's not all black and white, but a gaming PC seems to us to be the best investment you can make, especially if it's to take full advantage of your 4K screen.
We're talking about an investment here because it's a real budget. But it's also important to remember that a PC and its components won't be obsolete with the release of a new model, and it's always possible to modify your configuration, unlike with a console where you can't upgrade it .
It is worth remembering that the quality of the graphics will be significantly better with a PC , which will inevitably affect the final rendering of your video game.
