Your PC in instalments (up to 12x)
By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 28 September 2026
In brief: the PS5 remains the simplest solution for gaming in the living room. The PS5 Pro (€899.99 from 2 April 2026) mainly improves the image thanks to PSSR upscaling. The gaming PC comes out on top for high FPS, competitive play, mods, upgradability and multiplayer without a subscription. To get beyond a PS5 Pro, go for a PC with a RTX 5070 or an RX 9070.
In 2026, the showdown is no longer just “easy console, complicated PC”. The real question is what you expect from your matches.
If your goal is maximum FPS in competitive play, you mainly need a solid processor, 1080p or 1440p, and a high refresh-rate display. If you want great graphics in 4K, the graphics card becomes the priority, with enough video memory and upscaling technologies like DLSS, FSR or PSSR. And if you stream or do lots of multitasking, 32GB of RAM and a good video encoder make the difference.
The real cost: console vs PC (not just the price of the machine)
What people often forget about PlayStation
- Online multiplayer is paid: you need a PlayStation Plus subscription, except for free-to-play games. The Essential plan costs €71.99 per year in France.
- New games are often sold for around €80 at launch on the PlayStation Store.
- The PS5 Pro has been listed at €899.99 since 2 April 2026, with a 2TB SSD. Its disc drive is sold separately.
- Accessories add up quickly: a second controller, a disc drive, a vertical stand.
Example over three years for an online player: PS5 Pro (€899.99) + PS Plus Essential (3 × €71.99) = around €1,116, before even the first game or accessory.
On the PC side
- No subscription required to play online on Steam, Epic Games Store or Battle.net (except subscription games like some MMOs).
- Games are often cheaper thanks to regular sales at online stores.
- But: a PC that can do better than a PS5 Pro costs more upfront, and you have to factor in Windows and possibly a controller.
PS5 Pro: what changes for real
The PS5 and the PS5 Pro are built around a custom AMD chip: a Zen 2 processor and an AMD graphics card. The Pro keeps the same processor, but its graphics part is significantly more powerful, with three areas:
- PSSR upscaling (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution), an AI-based technology close to DLSS;
- Faster ray tracing;
- Fewer compromises between performance mode and quality mode in optimised games.
“4K 120 FPS”: the reality behind the marketing
Yes, the PS5 and the PS5 Pro can output 4K and 120Hz, but that doesn’t mean games run in native 4K at 120 frames per second. In practice, many games render the image at a lower resolution, then upscale it to 4K. Naughty Dog, for example, explains on the PlayStation Blog that one of its PS5 Pro modes renders the image in 1440p before upscaling it to 4K with PSSR, to target 60 FPS.
To remember: the PS5 Pro aims for a better perceived image, especially thanks to upscaling. If you care about sharpness and image stability, it has real value. If you want stable 120 FPS in lots of games, it’s very much case-by-case, mainly reserved for esports titles and performance modes.
To see one of our PCs in real-world use, here’s the in-games test of our Rift PC (Radeon RX 9060 XT) by Mathis and Gauthier:
Mathis and Gauthier, review of the FlowUP Rift PC, September 2026.
Which PC is equivalent to a PS5 Pro?
On the graphics card side, the SlashGear comparison identifies the Radeon RX 7700 XT as the closest PC equivalent to the PS5 Pro’s GPU, and notes that the RTX 4070 is more powerful. To match or beat a PS5 Pro in major 1440p and 4K games with upscaling, we therefore recommend a RTX 5070 or a RX 9070, with a recent CPU and 32GB of RAM.
Umbra PC, GeForce RTX 5070
Ryzen 5 7500F and RTX 5070 12GB, with DLSS 4: enough to beat a PS5 Pro in 1440p.
PS5, PS5 Pro or PC: the comparison that matters in 2026
| Criteria | PS5 | PS5 Pro | Gaming PC |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPS and competitive play | Modes set by developers | More stable performance modes | The best: 240 Hz and as high as possible, free settings |
| 4K graphics and ray tracing | Decent, with trade-offs | Very good thanks to PSSR | Up to the best, depending on the budget |
| Entry cost | The lowest | €899.99 | Higher to match the Pro |
| Online multiplayer | Paid PS Plus | Paid PS Plus | Free on most games |
| Simplicity | Turn it on, play | Turn it on, play | Requires a bit of tweaking |
| Scalability | None | None | Replaceable graphics card, RAM and SSD |
| Mods, creation, streaming | No | No | Yes |
The PC also has advantages that no console offers: mods, ultrawide displays and multi-monitor setups, VR on PC, and the versatility to create, edit videos, stream, or work.
So, what should you choose in 2026?
Get a PS5 if…
- you want the easiest setup for playing in the living room;
- you mainly play solo, with only the occasional online session;
- you’re looking for the lowest entry cost.
Get a PS5 Pro if…
- you have a 4K 120 Hz TV and you’re sensitive to image quality;
- you want more ray tracing and a cleaner image thanks to PSSR;
- you accept the price and the PlayStation ecosystem (PS Plus, games).
Get a PC if…
- you want maximum FPS at 1080p or 1440p and to play competitively;
- you want to upgrade your system (graphics card, RAM, SSD);
- you stream or multitask, and 32 GB of RAM quickly becomes essential.
To choose the right PC for your budget, read our guide best gaming PC in 2026 based on your budget. For a first machine at 1080p:
Banger PC, GeForce RTX 5060
A RTX 5060 to play comfortably at 1080p, with a PC’s upgradability.
FAQ: PC or PS5 in 2026
Is a PS5 Pro or a gaming PC better?
The PS5 Pro is simpler and cheaper than a PC with comparable power. The PC wins on FPS, multiplayer without a subscription, mods, and upgradability. If you mostly play solo in the living room, the console is enough; if you play competitively or want one device for everything, a PC is the better choice.
Which PC is equivalent to a PS5 Pro?
For the graphics side, a Radeon RX 7700 XT is the closest match according to SlashGear, and an RTX 4070 performs better. Today, an RTX 5070 or an RX 9070 beats the PS5 Pro in most games.
How much does a PS5 Pro cost in 2026?
€899.99 in Europe since 2 April 2026, according to the PlayStation Blog. You’ll need to add the disc drive if you buy physical games, and PlayStation Plus to play online.
Do you need to pay to play online on PC?
No for the vast majority of games: Steam, Epic Games Store, or Battle.net don’t require a subscription for multiplayer. Only some games, such as MMOs, have their own subscription.
