Can You Do 8K Gaming On A PS5?

Game consoles have been constantly improving year after year, and they are showing no signs of slowing down. As graphics have improved, gamers have had to update their TVs to keep up, and to make the most of the best eye-popping games.

As gaming moved further into the 4K era, many gamers purchased brand new 4K TVs, only to find that those same screens were quickly being usurped by higher-quality 8K displays. Have you purchased a new 8K TV with the hopes of playing your PlayStation 5 games in 8K? Maybe you’re considering updating your existing gaming set-up?

Regardless of your situation, we have all of the details you could need about 8K gaming on PlayStation 5! Let’s jump right in!

Does The PS5 Offer 8K Gaming?

Unfortunately, though the PS5 does have the hardware to support output at 8K resolutions, Sony have still capped consoles at 4K resolutions. It’s currently unclear whether the PS5 line of consoles will finally allow users to access 8K gaming. However, though the PS5 does not currently support native 8K gaming, there is still the potential to enjoy your games in 8K.

Why Does The PS5 Not Offer 8K Gaming?

Considering that the PS5 is renowned for its graphical prowess and its fast performance, it can be frustrating for many to learn that the console does not output at 8K. Though the components are found within the console, there is no content found on the system that allows users to take advantage of 8K, and Sony have currently capped the console to output at 4K.

In order for the PS5 to produce realistic graphics, much of the GPU is taken up with space dedicated to graphical fidelity. Some of the GPU space is then taken up to rendering the graphics at 4K resolutions. The GPU does not currently support output at 8K, and it is still largely unclear why!

The PS5 GPU is focused on delivering those mind-blowing graphics, as well as allowing the PS5 to output at 4K. The only problem is, though the components are there, Sony have capped the console at 4K, and there is no 8K content to play!

How Do You Play PS5 Games In 8K?

Though the PS5 does not render 8K graphics itself, it is actually possible to access 8K visuals with compatible 8K TVs. 8K gaming visuals can be achieved by making use of auto-upscaling. Auto upscaling is a post-processing effect found in Samsung TVs, 4K & 8K, amongst others, that is applied to whatever content is played on compatible displays.

Let’s say you were to play a 4K video on your 8K TV. Auto upscaling would analyse each frame of the footage, as it plays, and spruce it up. It does this by erasing visual noise and sharpening certain elements, to make the video appear natively 8K.

There are no limits to what you can use 8K auto processing on, so you can also use it in conjunction with your PlayStation 5.

However, it is worth noting that upscaling your game as you play it will result in a lot of extra input lag. Input lag refers to the space of time that elapses between pressing a button on your controller, and seeing the corresponding action on screen. If you want to enjoy gaming at its best, then you will need the lowest input lag possible.

The post-processing to bump your gameplay up to 8K might only add a few extra milliseconds of input lag, but this can significantly impact the sense of control you have over a game.

Will The PS5 Offer 8K Gaming In The Future?

Though this article has mostly been filled with bad news for your 8K TV, there is still plenty of hope on the horizon!

When the PlayStation 4 was first released in 2013, it only supported 1080p and 1080i outputs. While this might have been initially disappointing to PS4 owners with 4K TVs, they weren’t left disappointed for long. In 2016, the PlayStation 4 Pro was officially released, allowing players the chance to experience their favourite PS4 titles in 4K resolutions!

Though the PS5 is yet to support native 8K output, there are still plenty of ways to make games appear 8K. And there is plenty of hope on the horizon for 8K gaming with the increased adoption of 8K displays!

If we are to go by previous revisions that Sony has performed on their consoles, then it is highly likely that the PlayStation 5 will receive a souped-up ‘Pro’ model that will support 8K gaming from the get-go!

Unfortunately, we are still awaiting a formal announcement of an upgraded PS5 model, so fans should cross their fingers in the meantime!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 4K Better Than 8K?

In terms of overall visual fidelity, 8K far surpasses 4K. 8K TVs feature double the pixel count of a 4K TV, allowing them to recreate far richer detail, and draw viewers much further in. One of the only things holding 8K back from taking over 4K, at the moment, is the fact that there is less 8K content than 4K content available.

Is 16K A Thing?

If you thought that 8K was impressive, then prepare to have your mind blown by the existence of 16K. 16K TVs are very much still in their infancy, but they are an exciting step forward in visual fidelity. However, don’t expect them to become mainstream just yet, as not even 8K has fully reached the mainstream!

Is 8K Overkill?

This depends entirely on how much you value visual fidelity. If you like your content to look good, but you don’t care too much for intense detail, then 8K may well be overkill. If you want a large TV that draws you into every image, and you want a futureproofed TV, then 8K is totally reasonable!

Is 4K 8 million pixels?

Yes! The total resolution of a 4K TV is around 8.3 million pixels, going by the 3,840 horizontal pixels, and 2,160 vertical pixels. An 8K TV on the other hand has a total pixel count of around 33 million pixels, thanks to the display boasting 7,680 horizontal pixels, and 4,320 vertical pixels, making them truly impressive screens!