The PlayStation 5 packs a significant amount of technology — and a surprising number of buyers remain unclear on exactly what the hardware supports. Does the PS5 actually run games at 4K? What games run at 120fps? Does it have WiFi 6? What is HDMI 2.1 and why does it matter? Does it play PS4 games? Can it play Blu-ray discs?
All of these questions answered here, with specific numbers and game examples rather than vague marketing language.
PS5 Full Technical Specs
| Spec | Detail |
| CPU | 8-core, 16-thread AMD Zen 2 at 3.5GHz (variable, up to 3.5GHz) |
| GPU | AMD RDNA 2; 10.28 TFLOPS; 36 CUs at 2.23GHz (variable) |
| RAM | 16GB GDDR6 (shared between CPU and GPU — unified memory architecture) |
| VRAM | Shared from the 16GB pool — no dedicated VRAM; approximately 10GB available to GPU |
| Storage (original) | 825GB custom NVMe SSD (825 GB total; ~667GB usable) |
| Storage (Slim) | 1TB NVMe SSD |
| Storage (Pro) | 2TB NVMe SSD |
| SSD read speed | 5.5 GB/s (raw); up to 8-9 GB/s (compressed) |
| Optical drive | 4K UHD Blu-ray (disc models only; not in Digital Edition) |
| Video output | HDMI 2.1 (supports 4K@120Hz, 8K@60Hz) |
| Audio | 3D Audio (Tempest Engine); HDMI audio; USB audio; 3.5mm headphone jack |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) — PS5 original and Slim |
| WiFi (Pro) | WiFi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 |
| USB ports | USB-A x2 (rear), USB-C x1 (front) — original; Slim adds second front USB |
| Power supply | Internal; 350W rated |
| Typical gaming power draw | ~175-200W |
| Media playback power draw | ~50-60W |
| Rest mode power draw | ~0.5W |
| Dimensions (original) | 390 x 104 x 260mm |
| Weight (original) | 3.9kg (disc) / 3.4kg (digital) |
Does PS5 Support 4K?
Yes. The PS5 outputs video via HDMI 2.1 at up to 4K resolution. Whether a specific game runs at native 4K, checkerboard 4K, or 1440p/1080p upscaled to 4K depends entirely on how the developer has optimized the game.
The practical reality: most PS5 games offer two graphics modes:
- Quality Mode (30fps): targets native or near-native 4K with higher visual quality settings, ray tracing, and better overall fidelity
- Performance Mode (60fps): typically runs at 1440p (sometimes 1080p) with graphics settings reduced to hit 60fps
Games that run at native 4K/60fps on base PS5 are uncommon in demanding open-world or action titles. Most 60fps PS5 games run at 1440p internally. The PS5 Pro with PSSR can deliver 4K-equivalent image quality at 60fps via AI upscaling — the most significant practical advantage of the Pro over the standard PS5 for 4K display owners.
Does PS5 Play 4K UHD Blu-Ray?
The disc version of PS5 (not the Digital Edition) plays 4K UHD Blu-ray discs. The Digital Edition has no disc drive at all. The PS5 Slim is available in both disc and digital versions; the PS5 Pro is digital-only by default (disc drive add-on is sold separately for $79.99).
4K UHD Blu-ray support on PS5 includes: 4K HDR video playback, Dolby Vision (added in a firmware update), HDR10, and HDR10+ format support. The PS5’s Blu-ray drive also plays standard Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and audio CDs. It does not play 3D Blu-ray discs.
PS5 120Hz Games: How It Works and Which Games Support It
The PS5 supports up to 120Hz refresh rate output via HDMI 2.1. To see 120fps games, you need:
- A TV or monitor with HDMI 2.1 input supporting 4K@120Hz or 1080p/1440p@120Hz
- 120Hz mode enabled in PS5 Settings → Screen and Video → Video Output → Enable 120Hz Output
- A game with a 120fps or Performance+ mode
Many PS5 games with 120fps support run at lower resolutions (1080p or 1440p) to achieve the higher frame rate. Some games cap at 60fps regardless of settings. 120fps gaming on PS5 is primarily popular in online multiplayer titles where the input response advantage of high frame rate matters most.
| Game | 120fps Mode Notes |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 120fps in Performance Mode; 1080-1440p; competitive online standard |
| Fortnite | 120fps mode available; most popular battle royale at 120fps on PS5 |
| Rocket League | 120fps; fast-paced competitive game where frame rate is most beneficial |
| Rainbow Six Siege | 120fps; tactical shooter; 120fps reduces input lag in close engagements |
| Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart | 120fps Performance mode available |
| Gran Turismo 7 | 60fps standard; no 120fps mode (Pro runs enhanced 4K60) |
| EA Sports FC 26 | 120fps mode available in select display configurations |
| Borderlands 3 | 120fps mode available |
| Devil May Cry 5 | 120fps support |
| Ghostrunner | 120fps support in Performance mode |
How to Enable 120fps on PS5: Step by Step
- Step 1: Ensure your TV has an HDMI 2.1 port connected to the PS5 with an HDMI 2.1 cable (the cable that comes in the PS5 box is HDMI 2.1)
- Step 2: On PS5, go to Settings (gear icon on home screen)
- Step 3: Select Screen and Video
- Step 4: Select Video Output
- Step 5: Select Enable 120 Hz Output and toggle it On
- Step 6: Open the game you want to play and navigate to that game’s graphics or display settings
- Step 7: Select Performance Mode or 120fps mode if available
Note: if your TV does not have HDMI 2.1, the 120fps option will not be available. HDMI 2.0 (common on older TVs) is limited to 4K@60Hz or 1080p@120Hz. For 4K gaming at 120fps, HDMI 2.1 on the TV is required.
PS5 WiFi 6: What It Means for Gaming
The base PS5 and PS5 Slim include WiFi 6 (802.11ax). The PS5 Pro upgrades to WiFi 7. Here is what these standards actually mean for gaming:
| WiFi Standard | Console | Key Benefit for Gaming |
| WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | PS4 | Up to ~3.5 Gbps theoretical; common on older routers |
| WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | PS5 / PS5 Slim | Up to ~9.6 Gbps theoretical; lower latency; better performance with multiple devices on same network |
| WiFi 7 (802.11be) | PS5 Pro | Up to ~46 Gbps theoretical; MLO (Multi-Link Operation) reduces gaming latency further |
The practical gaming benefit of WiFi 6 over WiFi 5 for PS5: more consistent latency in households with many connected devices, better performance when a router is shared with multiple devices simultaneously downloading or streaming. The difference is most noticeable in apartments or houses with 10+ connected devices. For a household with few connected devices and a strong WiFi signal, the real-world gaming latency difference between WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 is minimal.
Maximum real-world PS5 WiFi download speeds vary by router, distance, and interference. Most PS5 owners report 100-400 Mbps wirelessly on WiFi 6 in typical conditions. For maximum download speed for game installations, a wired ethernet connection (gigabit ethernet port is built into all PS5 models) will always outperform WiFi.
PS5 HDMI 2.1: What It Includes and Why It Matters
All PS5 consoles include one HDMI 2.1 port on the rear. An HDMI 2.1 cable is included in the box with every PS5. HDMI 2.1 supports:
- 4K at 120Hz — required for 120fps gaming at 4K resolution; needs HDMI 2.1 on the TV as well
- 8K at 60Hz — theoretical; no consumer PS5 game currently targets 8K
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) — PS5 supports VRR (similar to NVIDIA G-Sync / AMD FreeSync on PC) for compatible TVs; reduces screen tearing
- Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) — PS5 automatically tells compatible TVs to switch to Game Mode when gaming
- HDR10 and Dolby Vision — HDR video and game support
HDMI 2.1 on the TV is required to take full advantage of PS5’s video output capabilities. A TV with HDMI 2.0 (most TVs sold before 2021) limits PS5 to 4K@60Hz maximum. The PS5’s HDMI cable works with both 2.0 and 2.1 ports, but the 4K@120Hz capability is only available when connected to an HDMI 2.1 input on the TV.
PS5 Backwards Compatibility: Which PS4 Games Work?
PS5 plays the vast majority of PlayStation 4 games — Sony has confirmed compatibility with over 4,000 PS4 titles. There are a small number of PS4 games that are not compatible due to technical issues, but these are rare exceptions. PS5 does NOT play PS1, PS2, or PS3 discs or games.
| Generation | PS5 Compatible? |
| PS4 games | Yes — 4,000+ titles compatible; most run with improved load times and frame rate |
| PS3 games | No — PS3 disc games do not work on PS5 |
| PS2 games | No |
| PS1 games | No |
| PS4 discs on PS5 Digital | No — Digital Edition has no disc drive |
| PS4 digital purchases | Yes — downloadable PS4 games from your PS Store library transfer |
PS4 games on PS5 benefit from: faster load times (PS5 SSD vs PS4’s spinning HDD), Game Boost mode which improves frame rate consistency and resolution on many PS4 games, and Activity Cards for compatible titles. PS4 games do not receive full PS5 features like DualSense haptic feedback or adaptive triggers unless the developer releases a specific PS5 upgrade patch.
How Much Power Does the PS5 Use?
| Mode | Power Draw |
| Gaming (peak load) | ~175-200W |
| Media playback (Blu-ray, streaming) | ~50-60W |
| Rest mode (downloads enabled) | ~0.5W |
| Rest mode (no network features) | ~0.35W |
| PS5 Pro gaming (peak) | ~215W |
Monthly electricity cost estimate: the PS5 at 200W for 4 hours of daily gaming uses 0.8 kWh per day. At the US average electricity rate of approximately $0.16/kWh, that is approximately $0.13 per day or $3.90 per month in electricity. At 6 hours of daily gaming, approximately $5.85 per month. The PS5 is not a significant contributor to household electricity costs at typical gaming durations.
Best TV for PS5 120Hz Gaming
To get full value from PS5’s 120Hz output, your TV needs HDMI 2.1 ports. Key TV features for PS5 gaming:
- HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps bandwidth): required for 4K@120Hz and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
- Low input lag in Game Mode: aim for under 10ms input lag; most modern gaming TVs achieve 1-4ms
- VRR support: reduces screen tearing; compatible with PS5’s VRR implementation
- 4K resolution minimum: at 120Hz gaming
Strong 2025-2026 TV options for PS5 gaming include LG OLED C-series (OLED, ~1ms input lag, HDMI 2.1 on all four ports), Samsung QN90D (QLED, low input lag, HDMI 2.1), and Sony Bravia XR series (Sony’s own gaming TV line, naturally optimized for PS5 features including a dedicated BRAVIA CORE streaming integration).
See which PS5 Pro Enhanced games benefit most from a 120Hz 4K setup in our guide to best PS5 Pro enhanced games 2026.
For the full PS5 Pro specs comparison versus base PS5 and PS4 Pro, see PS5 Pro vs PS5 Slim vs PS4 Pro: full specs comparison.
Sony’s full PS5 technical specifications page is at PlayStation.com/en-us/ps5 — includes downloadable user manual and support resources.
Bottom Line
| 4K support | Yes — HDMI 2.1 output; most games run at 1440p/4K at 30-60fps |
| 120fps support | Yes — with HDMI 2.1 TV + Performance/120fps mode in-game settings |
| 4K UHD Blu-ray | Disc models only (not Digital Edition); PS5 Pro needs add-on disc drive |
| WiFi standard | WiFi 6 (PS5/Slim); WiFi 7 (PS5 Pro) |
| HDMI version | HDMI 2.1 included; HDMI 2.1 cable in the box |
| VRAM | 16GB shared GDDR6 (no dedicated VRAM); ~10GB available to GPU |
| Backwards compat | PS4 games only (4,000+ titles); not PS3/PS2/PS1 |
| Power (gaming) | ~175-200W; ~$4-6/month electricity at average US rates |
| Best TV for 120Hz | LG OLED C-series; Samsung QN90D; Sony Bravia XR — all with HDMI 2.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What PS5 games support 120Hz?
PS5 games with 120fps support include: Call of Duty Warzone, Fortnite, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, EA Sports FC 26, Devil May Cry 5, Ghostrunner, and Borderlands 3. Most competitive online multiplayer games support 120fps on PS5. Demanding single-player AAA games (God of War, Spider-Man 2, Black Myth: Wukong) typically cap at 60fps on base PS5. 120fps gaming requires a TV with HDMI 2.1 and the 120Hz setting enabled in PS5’s video output settings.
Does PS5 have backwards compatibility?
Yes — PS5 plays over 4,000 PS4 games, both disc-based (on disc models) and digital purchases. PS5 does not play PS3, PS2, or PS1 games. PS4 games on PS5 benefit from faster load times, Game Boost for better frame rate, and improved overall performance. PS4 digital game purchases from your PlayStation Store account carry over to PS5 for free.
How much VRAM does a PS5 have?
The PS5 uses a unified memory architecture with 16GB GDDR6 shared between the CPU and GPU — there is no separate dedicated VRAM pool. Approximately 10GB of the 16GB is typically available to the GPU for graphics rendering. This is different from PC GPUs which have dedicated VRAM separate from system RAM.
Does PS5 come with WiFi 6?
Yes — the original PS5 and PS5 Slim include WiFi 6 (802.11ax). The PS5 Pro upgraded to WiFi 7. WiFi 6 provides lower latency and better performance in multi-device households compared to WiFi 5 on PS4. For the fastest download speeds, all PS5 models also include a gigabit ethernet port for wired connection.
Does PS5 have HDMI 2.1?
Yes — all PS5 models include a single HDMI 2.1 port (rear) and an HDMI 2.1 cable in the box. HDMI 2.1 is required for 4K@120Hz gaming and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Your TV also needs an HDMI 2.1 input to take advantage of these capabilities — connecting to an older HDMI 2.0 TV limits the PS5 to 4K@60Hz maximum.
