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What can you realistically expect from the PS4K?

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Realistic expectations of the PS4.5

The rumours around a potentially mid-generational PS4 release have had people talking for weeks now, as many try to speculate what a new, beefier PS4 could potentially mean for games in the near future. Many have taken the new name to heart, thinking that the new PS4 will be able to push games out in stunning 4K. Other are more realistic, with the PS4 maybe bolstering performance but support 4K exclusively with media.

Digital Foundry, the guys with most of the technical know how (and one of the outlets corroborating the original Kotaku report) have a few ideas of their own. Like most other sensible people, they’ve waved away the possibility of the PS4K actually rendering games in 4K – considering the most powerful GPUs on the planet right now can’t even manage that at 30FPS on most occasions.

If consoles are using mid-range hardware to keep prices sensible (and no, this won’t change), 4K is a dream. But it doesn’t mean other technologies can’t enhance games profoundly.

The most prevalent rumour is that the PS4K could in fact double the performance over the current PS4, and Digital Foundry doesn’t seem to think this is too outlandish. Especially with new AMD architecture on the way, the possibility of double the processing power is possible, although limited by the CPU and access developers have to this new tech (current GPU technology gives developers direct access to the Metal, which is why so many game look as great as they do).

And while that’s nowhere near enough for 4K still, it does mean that many games that are already struggling could see massive stability upgrades. Final Fantasy XV, for example, dives deep into 15FPS territory in its new demo. More processing could certainly help that, and many other titles already struggling to squeeze the most out of current hardware.

Other enhancements could be smaller, such as support for High Dynamic Colour Ranges and a expanded Colour Gamut for more modern displays (this is a small change that would probably require you to buy a new TV). Support for 4K3D Blu-ray movie would also be on the cards, with the current PS4 using a very early iteration of Blu-ray drives which prevent this. This could also extended to 4K support for media streaming, which the likes of Netflix can’t actually do on the PS4 right now.

So yes, it’s still very much up in the air as to what this upgrade could mean for the PS4. If Sony doubles down on power, it could turn out to be a more necessary upgrade than millions of PS4 owners were expecting to undertake so soon, or it could just end up being a more inclusive media enhancement. Either way, Sony is staying very quiet for now.

Last Updated: April 11, 2016

7 Comments

  1. I expect to be really surprised by it, particularly since I’m not buying one so WHERE’D IT COME FROM?!

    Reply

  2. Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

    April 11, 2016 at 13:45

  3. iusedtobe(a)regular

    April 11, 2016 at 14:25

    I dont think the new PS4 will have any effect on the games of this generation.

    Reply

  4. Ghost In The Rift

    April 11, 2016 at 14:57

    Imagine buying a PS4 now only to find out an “upgraded version” is being released somewhere in the year or next, man i feel for those peasants.

    Reply

  5. pohzzer

    April 11, 2016 at 17:57

    Any upgrade that would shut out the existing 40 Million user base is a no go. Just isn’t happening. It would HAVE to be something existing users could add on to their machines. Since Sony already verified such an add-on coming in the fall, the logical answer would be the PS4.5 simply incorporates that add on into the console to provide a more affordable entry price for those interested in VR.

    Reply

  6. Ryanza

    April 11, 2016 at 20:01

    Of course the PS4k will not reach anywhere near 4k resolution, Xbox One can’t even maintain 1080p resolution, dynamic fuck you.

    PS4k just needs a bump in the GPU department. While we at it, PS4k also needs a bump in the CPU department. Moar Ram for all.
    can we also get games to play off the discs, so that we not installing full discs onto the hdd.

    PS4k will only work if they upgrade the GPU and CPU and RAM. The costs of designing a new console and all the marketing costs, it will be cheaper to just upgrade all the parts in the PS4 casing.
    welcome to the future of console gaming. PS4k = PS5 inside the PS4 box. It’s 2016 they have to give us new consoles. Fuck 8 years.

    My guess PS4k = a price cut. This summer / winter, PS4 now R4000. And watch how fast those PS4 consoles sell.

    Reply

    • BakedBagel

      April 12, 2016 at 09:54

      Like the PS-Slim versions. Im almost sure those where always cheaper than the Phat versions.

      Reply

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