PS5, or PlayStation 5 as it's fully named, is Sony's fifth home console. It's the successor to the PS4, which released in November 2013. The console launched in November 2020, with the PS5 release date changing slightly between regions. With PS5 stock now available around the world, you can find yourself one of these new consoles for a reasonable PS5 price. You can find out How to Get PS5 Stock Notifications through the link.

In this PS5 guide, we've compiled the ultimate PlayStation 5 resource. We're going to share everything you need to know about the system's hardware, including its SSD, ray tracing, and 3D audio. In addition, you'll find all PS5 announced games and all PS5 launch games, as well as the lowdown on PS5 backwards compatibility. For a more thorough look at the console and its features, refer to the following: PS5 Review - Should You Buy It?

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PS5 Guide: Hardware

PS5 Guide

It goes without saying, but the PS5 is the most powerful PlayStation Sony's ever made. In addition to a supercharged customised CPU and GPU, the system also plays host to an ultra-high speed SSD, allowing for lightning fast loading speeds and entirely new experiences. Furthermore, the console also boasts hardware ray tracing, VRR support, support for up to 120 frames-per-second, eye-popping 8K output, and 3D audio.

  • The ultra high-speed SSD means that games load faster than ever before. It also means that more data can be extracted from the drive faster than on previous consoles, opening up new possibilities to game developers, such as the inter-dimensional transitions seen in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.
  • Hardware ray tracing allows rays of light to be individually simulated, creating reflections and shadows that are much more realistic than those seen on previous consoles. This ultimately enables developers to create more believable visuals, allowing titles like Gran Turismo 7 to push the boundaries of photo-realism.
  • VRR is a technique that aims to eliminate visual issues such as screen-tearing. If you have a compatible display, the PS5 can employ VRR, which will result in a crisper, more consistent image quality on certain games. Here's a list of All VRR Optimised Games for PS5.
  • Support for up to 120 frames-per-second allows select titles to run smoother than on previous consoles. While it will be down to the game developer to make individual decisions about how their titles perform, PS5 can process blistering frame rates. Here's a list of all PS5 games running at 120 frames-per-second.
  • 8K output means that the PS5 is compatible with 4320p resolution displays. Once again, resolutions will be down to each developer's own discretion, but you should expect the vast majority of titles to run at native 4K with HDR.
  • 3D audio, powered by PlayStation's proprietary Tempest Engine, pertains to the ability to individually process thousands of audio sources at once, creating more immersive soundscapes that will heighten your enjoyment while playing.

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Tech Specs

PS5's tech specs, or technical specifications, mean that it's the most powerful PlayStation ever released. Below you'll find a full breakdown of the PlayStation 5's hardware components.

Component Specifications
CPU 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz (Variable Frequency)
GPU 36CUs at 2.23GHz (Variable Frequency)
GPU Architecture Customised RDNA 2
Memory 16GB GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth 448GB/s
Storage 825GB Customised SSD
I/O Throughput 5.5GB/s (Raw), Typical 8-9GB/s (Compressed)
Optical Drive (Optional) 4K UHD Blu-ray Drive
Dimensions 390mm x 104mm x 260mm*
Weight 4.5kg*

* Dimensions and weight apply to standard PS5

Of course, these numbers may not mean much to you in isolation, and you're probably curious how the PS5 compares to both the PlayStation 4 and its primary competitor, the Xbox Series X. Fortunately, you can find full comparisons through the following links: PS5 vs Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S and PS5 vs PS4.

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SSD

In short, the PS5's SSD has been customised to allow for blisteringly fast transfer speeds. The advantages of this technology mean that games will load faster, but it also enables new gameplay possibilities, such as the inter-dimensional transitions showcased in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. The comparison table below demonstrates the I/O throughput differences between several different devices, and showcases just how much quicker the PS5 is at grabbing data compared to the competition.

Component PS5 Xbox Series X PS4
I/O Throughput 5.5GB/s (Raw)
8-9GB/s (Compressed)		 2.4 GB/s (Raw)
4.8 GB/s (Compressed)		 ~50-100MB/s

In terms of storage space, the PS5's SSD has a rather unorthodox 825GB capacity (See Also: PS5 SSD: How Much Storage Space Does It Have?), although you are able to extend this by purchasing compatible NVMe SSD drives. For a full list of all PS5 compatible SSD drives, refer to our guide: Best PS5 SSD: Compatible M.2 SSD Storage Expansion for PS5. You can also learn more about the PS5's storage solution with our guide: PS5 SSD: Why It's Better Than HDD. And if you need to know how to install a PS5 SSD, then look no further: PS5 SSD: How to Install an Internal SSD and Expand Your Storage.

You'll be able to install your backwards compatible PS4 games on the PS5's SSD and take advantage of its improved loading speeds, but if you'd prefer to save precious storage space then you'll also have the option to connect an external HDD hard drive to significantly expand your storage options. For a full list of Best PS5 External Hard Drives, click through the link.

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Ray Tracing

Ray tracing is a graphics technology designed to simulate the way light and shadow works in the real world. In effect, ray tracing works by simulating and tracking each ray of light from the source, resulting in photo-realistic scenes. It's the same technology that's used in CG movies by major motion picture companies like Disney Pixar, and while the technology is intensive, it can provide stunning results.

You can see the effect in action in a handful of top PS5 games. For example, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart uses ray tracing on Clank's metallic chassis, illuminating his shiny surface and accurately reflecting any nearby light sources. We also can see the effect in action in Gran Turismo 7, on both the helmets of drivers, the exterior of vehicles, and inside the cockpits of cars. For more information on ray tracing, you can refer to our guide: PS5 Ray Tracing: What Is It?

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3D Audio

3D Audio, powered by PS5's proprietary Tempest Engine, refers to the simulation of spatial positioning across potentially thousands of different sound sources. Effectively, the technology allows the console to render sounds in a more natural manner, meaning that the console can simulate spaces and accurately place sounds in accordance to your position within them. For example, if someone walks behind you, the PS5 will process the position of those footsteps and you'll hear them as if they're occurring in real-life.

This not only promises to improve the immersion in a wide-range of different games, but it can also allow for all-new gameplay mechanics, perhaps where your vision is impaired and you need to use audio to navigate. Similarly, this technology can be used to improve accessibility, helping to more accurately communicate on-screen actions for those who are visually impaired. You can learn more about 3D audio in our guide: PS5 3D Audio: What Is PlayStation 5's Tempest Engine?

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Troubleshooting

In most cases, the PS5 runs without a hitch, but there are a few teething issues people are finding as they get to grips with the new console. For example, some users are finding their DualSense PS5 controller isn't charging in Rest Mode, while others are reporting issues with the download queue. As these issues arise, we'll be attempting to find solutions where possible, so keep checking back to find fixes for common PS5 problems.

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PS5 Guide: Games

PS5 Guide Games Horizon Forbidden West

A console is nothing without games to play on it, and PS5's ongoing marketing slogan is Play Has No Limits. Just some of the games available for the next-gen console include God of War Ragnarok, Demon's Souls, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Gran Turismo 7, and Horizon Forbidden West. You can find a full list of all PS5 announced games through the link. You can also find new PS5 game release dates in 2023 and all PS5 first-party exclusives, as well as a list of all PS5 rumoured games.

PS5 will also be backwards compatible with PS4, meaning that you'll be able to play thousands of PlayStation 4 games on the next-gen console, with enhancements courtesy of PS5 Game Boost (but there are still a number of PS4 Games That Need a PS5 Patch). There will also be an upgrade path for select titles, meaning that if you already own the PS4 version of a particular game you'll be able to play the PS5 edition at no extra cost. This scheme is title specific, and doesn't have a catchy name like PS5 Smart Delivery, but you can find out which games are supporting the initiative in our guide: PS4 to PS5: All Games with Confirmed Free Upgrades.

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Backwards Compatibility

As mentioned above, the PS5 is backwards compatible with PS4, meaning that you can play thousands of existing PS4 games on your PS5. For more information on backwards compatibility, you can refer to our guides: PS5 Backwards Compatibility: Can You Play PS4 Games on PlayStation 5? and PS5 Backwards Compatibility: All PS4 Games That Don't Work.

As for backwards compatibility with older platforms, Sony has begun porting some PS1, PS2, and PSP games to both PS5 and PS4, which are accessible with a subscription to PS Plus Premium. Additionally, some PS3 games are available on the same subscription plan via cloud streaming. Find out more about this through the links: PS5 Backwards Compatibility: Can You Play PS3, PS2, and PS1 Games on PlayStation 5? and PS Plus Memberships: All Three Tiers Explained.

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Best PS5 Games

Now that the PS5 has released, we've started to build out our list of the best PS5 games. However, this will be an ongoing and ever-shifting process as more and more games release over the PS5's lifespan. In the meantime, you can always browse our list of new PS5 game release dates in 2023 for a look at all upcoming software.

PS5 Guide: DualSense

PS5 Guide DualSense Controller

DualSense is the name of Sony's next-gen PS5 controller, and is an evolution of the DualShock line of peripherals which was first introduced on the PS1. The handset shares a similar design philosophy to the PS4 controller, the DualShock 4, although it's been given the DualSense moniker due to its improved immersion properties. Among its key features are haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a built-in microphone array. You can learn more about the controller in our guide: PS5 Controller: DualSense Features, Price, and Battery Life.

  • Haptic feedback functions similarly to the rumble motors you find in the DualShock 4, but the sensation is much more precise, allowing for far more defined sensations during gameplay.
  • Adaptive triggers allow the controller's L2 and R2 buttons to dynamically adjust the resistance you feel when pulling them, meaning they'll tighten when you pull a bow string taut or require a firmer squeeze when you attempt to brake at high speeds.
  • The built-in microphone array means that you'll no longer need a headset to communicate with friends and strangers in online games. While you'll be able to connect a dedicated microphone if you prefer, basic communication will merely require you to speak into the DualSense controller itself.

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Create Button

DualSense's Create Button is an evolution of the DualShock 4's Share Button. Located to the left of the PS4 controller's touch pad, Sony's said that it's "pioneering new ways for players to create epic gameplay content to share with the world, or just to enjoy for themselves". You can refer to our guide for more information: PS5 DualSense Create Button: What Does It Do?

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PS5 Guide: PS Plus

PS5 Guide PS Plus

PS Plus, or PlayStation Plus, is Sony's inter-generation subscription service. For a monthly or annual fee, the membership unlocks several benefits, including access to online multiplayer, free monthly games, exclusive deals and discounts, and cloud saves. You can find a full list of benefits in our guide: PS Plus: What Is It and Is It Worth it?

There are three tiers of PS Plus to which you can subscribe, each one providing new benefits. These are called PS Plus Essential, PS Plus Extra, and PS Plus Premium. For a full explanation of what these subscriptions offer, see our guide: PS Plus Memberships: All Three Tiers Explained. Regardless of which tier you choose, you'll be entitled to the following:

  • Online multiplayer refers to the ability to play competitive and co-operative games with friends and strangers over the PlayStation Network. For more information, refer to our guide: Do You Need PS Plus for PS5 Multiplayer?
  • Free monthly games are awarded to active subscribers on a monthly basis. Sony's still yet to official confirm its PS5 plans for the membership, with Bugsnax temporarily available as a bonus game at launch, although users currently receive two PS4 games and it's worth remembering that these will be backwards compatible. For more information, refer to our guide: Do PS Plus Subscribers Get Free PS5 Games?
  • The regular deals and discounts are arguably the high-point of PS Plus, as they allow you to save big on digital software. While offers do vary, you'll be guaranteed to get the best price on PS Store purchases if you're an active PS Plus subscriber.
  • Cloud saves allow you to back up your progress in games, so you can transfer your data between systems easily. It also gives you security should you experience a hardware fault, as you can be sure your saves are stored remotely on Sony's servers.
  • PlayStation Plus Collection is a new benefit exclusively for members who own a PS5. PS Plus members who get a PS5 will be able to download and play a special selection of PS4 titles at no extra cost. For more information, check out our guide: All PS Plus Games.

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PS5 Guide: PS Now

PS5 Guide PS Now

PS Now, or PlayStation Now, is no longer available on PS5 after Sony folded the service into PS Plus. As part of PS Plus Premium, you can stream a growing selection of PS3 titles, and download classic games from the PS1, PS2, and PSP eras. As such, PS Now is no longer supported by Sony.

PS5 Guide: Accessories

PS5 Guide Accessories

Alongside the PS5, Sony introduced a bunch of accessories to augment your new console. The selection of optional extras includes: the Media Remote, the HD Camera, the DualSense Charging Station, and the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset. These, as well as the DualSense controller itself, are all available to purchase through here: PS5 Accessories: Where to Buy PS5 Accessories. There are also a selection of third-party accessories for you to consider, and we've compiled them in the following guide: Best PS5 Accessories.

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Media Remote

A slick and stylish remote control, the PS5's Media Remote comes with a microphone for voice recognition purposes. It has four dedicated buttons for media services, giving you quick access to the likes of Disney+, YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify. It also adopts the same two-tone colour scheme as the console and DualSense controller, making it an attractive option if you're looking for consistency across all your multimedia goods.

HD Camera

An evolved version of the PlayStation Camera, the PS5's HD Camera features dual 1080p lenses and is marketed as an essential accessory for streamers. It's got a cute two-tone clamshell design which can be used to fasten it to the top of your television.

DualSense Charging Station

A station for you to store and charge two DualSense controllers, the DualSense Charging Station adopts the same two-tone design as the PS5 controllers themselves. The handsets are powered using a port at the bottom of the peripheral, as opposed to using the USB-C input on the top.

Pulse 3D Wireless Headset

Designed to take advantage of the PS5's proprietary Tempest Engine-powered 3D audio technology, the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset also features two noise-cancelling microphones for high-quality communication during games. You can read our Pulse 3D Wireless Headset Review through the link.

PS5 Guide: PSVR

PS5 Guide PSVR

PlayStation VR is Sony's last-gen virtual reality headset which first released for the PS4 in October 2016. Also known as PSVR, the technology allows you to experience games as if you're living inside them, with 3D depth to the image and the game world surrounding you from above, to the sides, and behind. The existing PSVR headset is fully functional on the PS5, allowing you to play virtual reality games using PS4 backwards compatibility. While PSVR is compatible with PS5, you will need to obtain a special camera adaptor in order for it to work. To learn more, visit our guide: How to Get a Free PS5 PlayStation Camera Adaptor for PSVR. You can find a list of All PS5 Games with PSVR Support through the link.

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PS5 Guide: PSVR2

PS5 Guide PSVR2

PlayStation VR 2, shortened to PSVR2, is Sony's current-gen successor to PSVR. Fully compatible with PS5, the new virtual reality headset releases on 22nd February 2023, and makes a number of big improvements to ensure you're getting state-of-the-art VR experiences on PS5. The headset itself is lighter, so is more comfortable to wear for long periods. The Sense controllers replace the ancient PS Move wands, and are purpose-built for VR with finger tracking, haptic feedback, and more. The resolution within the headset's lenses is vastly improved, resulting in clean, crisp image quality. The headset connects to the PS5 with one single cord, which is a big improvement compared to PSVR's breakout box and mess of wires.

For a much more detailed breakdown of everything PSVR2, see our dedicated PSVR2 guide.

PS5 Guide: UI

PS5 Guide Operating System

Next, let's talk about the PS5's UI, or user interface, along with some of its key features. While some aspects of PS5's operating system are similar to PS4's, it makes some big changes in other areas. Running at 4K and in HDR, the user interface has some innovative features up its sleeve, such as the Control Center, Cards system, and Game Help. Additionally, PlayStation Store has been integrated at a system level. It isn't a standalone app anymore, meaning it runs much faster on PS5. Let's go through everything you need to know about PS5's UI.

Control Center

The biggest addition to PS5's user interface is the Control Center. Accessed by tapping the PS button on your DualSense controller, this new menu overlays whatever you're doing, and provides you with all kinds of options. It presents you with a series of tiles, or Cards, which feature contextual options related to what you're playing at the time. For example, if you're playing a game like Sackboy: A Big Adventure, you can use these Cards to access specific levels, track progress on collectibles, or take a look at Trophies you've yet to earn. You can read more about Cards below.

Underneath the Cards in the Control Center is a row of icons that give you all kinds of options. You can use it to access the Home screen, swap between recently used games and apps, check notifications, access your profile, access Parties, and change certain settings. This section can be customised, so you can pick and choose what options are available in this part of the Control Center.

Cards

Found within the Control Center, the PS5's Cards system lets you interact with games in all sorts of interesting ways. Tap the PS button on your controller once to bring up the Control Center, and you'll see a row of Cards on screen. Here are a few things these Cards can do:

Official news
You can find updates and news on the game you're playing in one of the Cards, so you always have access to the most recent info.
Activities
If you want to start playing a specific level, mission, or mode in a game, they can be directly accessed via Cards. They're called Activities, and using these, you can hop into a specific part of a game, rather than navigate to it yourself. Activity Cards can also tell you how long a task in a game will take you, thanks to personalised estimates.
Game Help
Some PS5 games will support Game Help, accessed via certain Activity Cards. Game Help is a way for developers to provide official guides and video clips to aid you if you get stuck. As an example, in Sackboy: A Big Adventure, you can use Game Help to locate hidden collectibles you might've missed. You can overlay a video in Picture-in-Picture mode, or pin it to the side of your display. Game Help is a PS Plus benefit, and not every game will take advantage of this feature.
Recent screenshots or Video Clips
Cards also give you quick access to recently captured screenshots or videos, without needing to navigate to your media gallery. They allow you to share them with PS5 Parties or on your connected social media channels.
Parties and multiplayer
If you're in a Party with some friends on PS5, Cards can give you quick access to them. Also, if your friends are playing together in a group, a Card can allow you to join them quickly and easily
Trophies
Cards can also tell you about Trophies you're working on. They can describe how much you've progressed towards specific Trophies in the game you're playing.

Home Screen

The PS5's Home Screen is the main landing page you'll see when you first boot up your PS5. It looks similar to PS4's main menu, with a string of icons for your recent games and apps. This ribbon of icons is much smaller, though, making way for screen-sized splash screens for your games. Scroll down on a game you have highlighted, and you'll see a series of Activities and Cards you can interact with. It also gives you a quick glance at Trophy progress for each title.

The Explore section is a space where publishers and developers will be able to share all the latest updates on games you're following or have purchased. This feature is currently only available in the US, but will come to other territories later.

PlayStation Store

Accessed via the Home Screen, PlayStation Store on PS5 is a much better experience than on PS4. Rather than a separate app, PS Store on PS5 is integrated at a system level, meaning it's much snappier to navigate. You can buy PS5 software as well as backwards compatible PS4 and PSVR games.

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Firmware Updates

Now that the PS5 has released, you'll find a full record of all PS5 firmware updates below. Bookmark this page or check back in the future for more information.

Version Date Overview
20.02-02.25.00 17th November, 2020
  • Improves system performance
20.02-02.26.00 25th November, 2020
  • Improves system performance
20.02-02.30.00 9th December, 2020
  • Improves system performance
20.02-02.50.00 3rd February, 2021
  • Improves system performance
  • Solves PS4 disc install issues
  • Adds Share Factory Studio edit button
21.01-03.00.00.38 14th April, 2021
  • Store PS5 games on external USB drives
  • Share Play support between PS4 and PS5 consoles
  • Request to join Game Sessions
  • Improvements to Game Base
  • Quick options for disabling Game Chat and adjusting voice volumes
  • Pre-downloading game updates
  • Customise and search your Game Library
  • Improvements to Screen Zoom
  • New Trophy settings and stats
  • More information through here
21.01-30.10.00 27th April, 2021
  • Improves system performance
21.01-03.20.00.04-00.00.00.0.0 9th June, 2021
  • Improves system performance
21.01-03.21.00 8th July, 2021
  • Improves system performance
21.02-04.00.00 15th September, 2021
  • Ability to store PS5 games on internal SSD
  • Control centre customisation
  • Improved Game Base and messaging
  • New Accolade
  • Trophy tracking features
  • 3D Audio for traditional television speakers
  • More information through here
21.02-04.02.00 7th October, 2021
  • Improves system performance
21.02-04.51.00 8th March, 2022
  • Improves system performance
22.01-05.00.00 23rd March, 2022
  • Open and closed Parties
  • Voice recognition
  • Game pinning
  • Trophy interface improvements
  • More information through here
22.01-05.02.00 13th April, 2022
  • Improves system performance
22.01-05.10.00 12th May, 2022
  • Improves system performance
22.01-05.50.00 7th July, 2022
  • Improves system performance
  • Adds support for ALLM
22.02-06.00.00 7th September, 2022
  • Game Library gamelists (folders)
  • Support for 1440p resolution
  • Improvements to Game Base
  • Improvements to Game Help
  • Better access to in-progress Activities
  • Compare 3D audio and regular stereo
22.02-06.00.01 5th October, 2022
  • Improves system performance
22.02-06.02.00 12th October, 2022
  • Improves system performance
22.02-06.50.00 12th January, 2023
  • Improves system performance
  • Adds support for DualSense Edge

PS5 Guide: Apps

PS5 Guide Apps

PS5 is, first and foremost, a games console, but like the PS4 it also plays host to a range of different multimedia apps. You can find a full list of all PS5 apps through the link. Some of the apps you can expect include: Netflix, Apple TV, and Disney+. These will be contained in their own separate part of the PS5's user interface, segregating them from games but making them easily accessible.

Other PS5 Apps Guides and FAQs

And that just about concludes our PS5 guide. Remember to bookmark this page as Sony's next-gen console evolves, as we will continue to update our ultimate PlayStation 5 resource. Also, if you have any comments, suggestions, or tips please be sure to share them in the comments section below.