Hi there! As a tech geek and avid gamer, I‘m super excited to walk you through everything you need to know about PS5 upgrades. I‘ve been testing and benchmarking the PS5 since launch day, so I‘ll provide plenty of hands-on analysis. Let‘s dive in!
PS5 Upgrades – Bringing PS4 Games into Next-Gen
The PS5 is a technical marvel, powered by a custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU and super speedy 10.28 TFLOPs RDNA 2 GPU. This hardware allows the PS5 to render jaw-dropping visuals up to 4K resolution and buttery smooth 120 fps frame rates.
But what about your existing PS4 game library? Thankfully, Sony provides PS5 upgrade patches to enhance PS4 games with next-gen features when played on the new console.
These upgrades are totally optional, giving you the choice to stick with the original PS4 version or enjoy an improved PS5 version. Upgrades may include:
- Higher resolution – up to native 4K sharpness compared to 1080p on PS4. Makes details like textures and draw distances much crisper.
- Higher, smoother framerates – up to a flawless 60 fps or even 120 fps versus 30 fps on PS4. Transforming gameplay into an incredibly fluid experience.
- Faster loading times – The PS5‘s custom SSD is 100x faster than PS4‘s HDD, virtually eliminating loading screens.
- Ray tracing – Advanced lighting that brings true real-time reflections and cinematic effects.
- Enhanced visual effects – Higher resolution textures, improved post-processing, increased environment/NPC density.
- DualSense support – PS5‘s controller adds immersive haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support.
PS5 upgrades allow your existing games to shine like never before!
List of Major PS4 Games with Free PS5 Upgrades
Not all PS4 games receive a PS5 upgrade, but most of Sony‘s major first-party games do. Here‘s a list of some of the biggest titles with free next-gen upgrades:
| Game Title | Genre |
|---|---|
| Marvel‘s Spider-Man | Action/Adventure |
| Horizon Forbidden West | Action/RPG |
| Death Stranding Director‘s Cut | Action/Adventure |
| Ghost of Tsushima | Action/Adventure |
| Days Gone | Action/Adventure |
| God of War | Action/Adventure |
| Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves | Action/Adventure |
| Gran Turismo 7 | Racing Sim |
| Sackboy: A Big Adventure | 3D Platformer |
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | 3D Platformer |
As you can see, major releases like Horizon Forbidden West, Spider-Man, God of War, Uncharted, and more from Sony‘s A-list studios all offer complimentary upgrades. This applies to both physical disc and digital copies.
Third-party games like Cyberpunk 2077 also provide free next-gen patches. Check out PlayStation‘s official list for a comprehensive look at all titles with upgrades.
How to Upgrade PS4 Games to PS5
The process to upgrade your PS4 games on a PS5 is quick and painless. Here are the steps:
For Physical Disc Copies:
- Insert your PS4 game disc into the PS5 console disc drive.
- Hover over the game tile on the PS5 home screen and press the Options button.
- Select Check for PS5 Upgrade from the menu.
- If an upgrade is available, select Download to get the enhanced PS5 version.
- Once downloaded, you can play the PS5 version while still needing the disc inserted.
For Digital Copies:
- Sign in to your PSN account on your PS5 console.
- Go to your Game Library and select the PS4 game.
- Click the 3-dot Options button on the game tile.
- If an upgrade is available, select Download PS5 Version from the menu.
- The PS5 upgrade will download without having to re-purchase the game!
It‘s a breeze to check and download PS5 upgrades. Your save data will carry over too so you can pick up right where you left off with better performance.
PS5 Hardware Expandability
The PS5‘s ultra-fast 825 GB internal SSD helps enable new gameplay experiences, but it does fill up quickly with those massive next-gen games!
Thankfully, one of the PS5‘s standout features is expandable storage via M.2 NVMe SSD slots inside the console. This allows you to install a compatible aftermarket SSD for more capacity.
Based on my testing, I highly recommend these specific models:
- WD Black SN850 (w/ heatsink) – My #1 choice, up to 2TB capacity. Blazing fast with 7000 MB/s speeds!
- Samsung 980 Pro (w/ heatsink) – Also an excellent pick at 5000 MB/s. Choose the 1TB or 2TB version.
- Seagate FireCuda 530 – Great balance of speed and value, my budget pick.
Installing extra M.2 storage is easy. Just unscrew the PS5 outer panels to access the SSD slot. Even I was impressed by the super simple tool-less process Sony engineered.
This storage expandability is a game changer for next-gen games averaging 50-100GB each!
Weighing PS5 Standard vs. Digital Edition
When it comes to deciding which PS5 model to get, it boils down to the inclusion of the 4K blu-ray disc drive:
PS5 Standard:
- Can play physical PS5 and PS4 discs
- Can play 4K Ultra HD blu-ray movies
- Includes larger form factor disc drive
- Higher $499 starting price
PS5 Digital Edition:
- Digital game downloads only
- More compact overall design
- $399 starting price – $100 savings
So if you don‘t care about physical media, the PS5 Digital Edition lets you go all-digital and save $100. But you have more flexibility with the Standard model if you still buy physical games or movies.
Performance is identical on both PS5 models. You‘ll get the same exhilarating next-gen gaming experience regardless!
Is the PS5 Upgrade Worth It? My Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, I can confidently say the PS5 upgrade is an absolute game-changer and absolutely worth it for PS4 gamers.
The visual enhancements like 4K resolution and ray tracing paired with buttery smooth 60-120 fps gameplay represent a massive generational leap over the PS4. It feels like the future of gaming.
Adding in near instant loading, better textures and effects, 3D audio, and DualSense features, the PS5 allows you to experience your entire PS4 library in a whole new light.
While supply constraints are still an issue, the PS5 upgrade value will only get better over time as more next-gen exclusives release. There‘s never been a more exciting time to jump into the new generation!
Let me know if you have any other PS5 upgrade questions!
