In order to fuel the desire for gaming, people usually have two choices to choose between: a pre-built (or custom) gaming PC, or a console such as a PlayStation or an Xbox.
However, in this article, I will keep my focus on the PlayStation 5 and how it compares with a gaming PC in terms of cost, features, online gaming, equipment and game library.
Make sure you stick till the end so that you can make an informed decision before you start your gaming journey.
Cost
PlayStation 5
Despite having futuristic features such as the DualSense controller, ray-tracing, 1TB of storage space and a lot more, the PS5 comes at a fairly affordable price.
For instance, if we take a look at the PS5 slim, it costs $449.99 for the digital edition and $499.99 for the disc edition (which can go lower on sales via PlayStation Direct).
This makes the PS5 the perfect option for gamers on a budget, since you don’t have to purchase any additional hardware to upgrade it.
Even if there are extra costs, they would be for controllers, docking stations, VR headsets, and so on, which are completely optional.
PC
Since PC allows you to customize and upgrade the components, it costs a lot more than a PS5. These PC’s require a CPU, motherboard, GPU, RAM, Storage, casing, power supply and CPU cooler, which is why the cost usually builds up to $800 to $1500 for a mid-range PC and $1500+ for a high-end gaming PC.
However, if you’re starting from scratch, know nothing about gaming PCs and have a tight budget, then you can get an entry-level gaming PC for $500-$800 too.
Out of all these components, a good CPU and GPU are bound to break your bank, so make sure you put in enough research before you purchase.
If you wish to learn more the best gaming PCs of 2026, then you should check out this article by Tom’s Hardware.
Performance
PlayStation 5
The PS5 uses custom, dedicated AMD hardware, including Zen 2 CPU cores with an RDNA 2 GPU powered by 36 compute units running at 10.3 teraflops.
Not only that, but the console also comes with 835GB usable storage out of the total 1TB (the rest is taken up by the system).
This is enough to run games in 4K at 30 fps (frames per second) or even 60 fps if the game supports it. It also uses utilizes graphics settings as per its capabilities and relies on resampling instead of the native resolution.
Sony took things up a notch with the PS5 Pro (which is slightly better than the PS5 and PS5 Slim in terms of performance) as it is powered by an RDNA 3 GPU with 60 compute unites which supports 16.7 teraflops (but it is also expensive; the PS5 Slim provides a better balance).
The PS5 is more ergonomic when it comes to online gaming, as the DualSense controller makes it easier for you to play with people from all around the world.
The console itself allows games to run as smoothly as possible, as I was recently playing the Legends mode on Ghost of Yotei and had the time of my life.
Whether you’re gaming online on your PS5 or gaming PC, I urge you to find internet in your state & city which is best known for its online gaming performance and minimal lag.
PC
While the PS5 has fixed components, the same isn’t the case with gaming PCs, which is why the performance depends on the equipment you use for it. The better components you add, the more efficient your PC is going to be.
You may either have an entry-level gaming PC that can run basic games, or down the line, you can turn your PC into a high-end one so that it can run AAA games on the best possible settings (enhanced graphics and quicker loading times).
Once you finalize the units for your PC, you’ll have to tweak the settings of the games individually to get the maximum output from them.
Game Exclusivity
Another thing to take into account is exclusivity when it comes to popular titles. For instance, Ghost of Yotei is a very popular title from 2025 but sadly, it isn’t available on the PC.
The same is the case with Gran Turismo 7. Though a lot of games were ported to the PC, it is very likely that it wouldn’t be the case moving forward, since Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was the last game which was ported for PC gaming.
Though some iconic games were recently ported for PC, including The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Days Gone, Destiny 2, Ghost of Tsushima, God of War (2018), God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 among many others, which serves as a silver lining for PC gamers.
Marvel’s Wolverine won’t be ported to PC but gamers will have Grand Theft Auto VI to look forward to when the game releases on PC.
I also recommend that you look into the top-rated internet service providers in your area because these games come with hefty file sizes, and you’ll need a high-speed internet connection to download them so that you can enjoy them as soon as possible.
Plus, your internet connection is going to help you with your online gaming, which is another factor you have to pay attention to.
Here are all the games PS5 has lined up for 2026 so that you know what games will be in store for you.
The PS5’s Iconic DualSense 5 Controller
What I love most about the PlayStation 5 is the futuristic DualSense 5 controller, since it took a massive leap ahead from the PS4’s DualShock 4 controller.
PS5’s controller offers features such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, which make every game as immersive as possible.
If you wish to test out the controller’s features, you should try playing Ghost of Yotei (I keep quoting it because I recently finished it, and it was nothing short of a chef’s kiss) because the game made complete use of all the features of the controller.
For instance, even when you have to light a fire at a campsite, you have to use the touchpad to light up the timbers. You can feel the *clink* of your katana against another when they clash, all thanks to the controller’s distinct vibrations.
You can also use the features while upgrading your weapons at the forge, and I believe the game wouldn’t have been as immersive if it weren’t for the controller. Props to Sucker Punch for doing such a brilliant job with the game!
PC Games Come Cheaper
If you believe affordability is a problem, then you should definitely consider PC gaming since the games are usually cheaper and the sales are better.
On the contrary, the most popular games on the PS5 will cost you a lot, and the sales don’t exactly slash the prices by a lot. Even if you do find great sales, they are on outdated titles, which you can play if you wish to catch up with them.
Not only that, but PC games also have a lot of modding capabilities, which add an interesting touch to your games.
For instance, you can mod Marvel’s Spider-Man to replace Peter/Spider-Man with Shrek and watch him swing around, which in itself is hilarious!
Bottom line is, despite both PC and PS5 having their sets of pros and cons, it all comes down to your preference.
If you want a powerful budget-friendly option with immersive gaming, then the PS5 is the right call to make.
If you want to upgrade your gaming components down the line and want more affordable gaming (after the initial cost), then a good gaming PC is the way to go.
