Taking your pick between the Steam Deck and the PS5 can seem pretty daunting if you’re stuck on the idea of either going balls to the wall with a console experience or pondering over a console’s portability factor. The PS5 gives you the best visual fidelity experience on a console to date–something the Steam Deck can barely hold a candle to. But the Steam Deck makes up with portability.
Comparing the graphics capabilities of the PS5 to the Steam Deck reveals a noticeable gap, yet both devices boast expansive game collections and impressive performance. While the Steam Deck offers portability, letting you game on the go, the PS5 is confined to TV play and comes with a steeper price tag, especially if you’re already loaded with a vast Steam library.
Steam Deck vs PS5: Specs And Hardware
Underneath its exterior, the Steam Deck packs a custom AMD APU blending a quad-core Zen 2 CPU with an RDNA 2 GPU. Accompanied by 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and three storage choices – 64GB eMMC, 256GB NVMe SSD, and 512GB NVMe SSD – this Valve creation runs on the SteamOS, a Linux-based system fine-tuned for gaming. Valve claims the Steam Deck can tackle the latest AAA titles at over 30 FPS and 720p resolution, a testament to its gaming prowess.
The Steam Deck’s hardware dazzles, especially its cooling system – a unique vapor chamber and heat sink combo that effectively disperses heat, enabling high-performance gameplay without overheating. In my experience, even during intense gaming, the Steam Deck stays smooth and silent.
On the other side, the PS5 stands strong as a robust console. A custom AMD Zen 2 processor with 8 cores at 3.5 GHz and a custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU featuring 36 compute units at 2.23 GHz drive its performance. Sporting 16 GB of GDDR6 RAM and a custom 825 GB SSD for swift loading, the PS5 supports ray tracing for richer visuals, 4K gaming at 60 FPS, and in some cases, even 120 FPS. The Game Boost feature enhances PS4 games, allowing them to run at higher resolutions and frame rates on the PS5.
Steam Deck vs PS5 : Display
The PS5 can show games in 4K, giving you amazing visuals if you have the right TV. The Steam Deck has a smaller 7-inch touchscreen with a lower resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels compared to the PS5. But don’t worry, the Steam Deck’s screen still looks good and can show HDR too.
Steam Deck vs PS5: Games Library
The PS5 boasts an established game collection with exclusive titles unique to its platform. Nevertheless, the Steam Deck opens the doors to the extensive Steam library, housing thousands of games, including numerous well-liked options.
Furthermore, the Steam Deck’s versatility shines as it supports games from platforms like the Epic Games Store, GOG, and Origin, rendering it adaptable to a range of gaming experiences. Additionally, PlayStation is introducing certain titles to PC and Steam through its PlayStation PC program, although it’s anticipated that the latest releases will arrive on the handheld and Steam Store about a year after launch.
Steam Deck vs PS5: Portability
Of course, Valve’s handheld solution wins this category. The Steam Deck’s design prioritizes portability, featuring a compact build that’s easy to transport. Weighing in at just 669 grams, it’s notably lighter than the PS5, which tips the scales at around 4.5 kg. Moreover, the Steam Deck incorporates a 40Whr built-in battery that can sustain up to 8 hours of gameplay on a single charge, catering to extensive gaming sessions on the move.
In contrast, the PS5 doesn’t fit the classic portable description unless you’re willing to invest in a portable battery and a portable TV – an option for the most dedicated users. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that casually taking your PS5 along with you isn’t a feasible plan!
Steam Deck vs PS5: Graphics And Performance
Graphics-wise, the PS5 wields a mightier GPU with 10.28 TFLOPS of computing prowess compared to the Steam Deck’s 1.6 TFLOPS. Both systems boast 16GB of memory, although the PS5’s comes in a swifter variant. On the output front, the PS5 supports up to 4K resolution, whereas the Steam Deck is confined to FHD, 1280 x 800.
While it’s true that the PS5 outperforms the Steam Deck across the board in terms of specs, that’s not the entire narrative. Graphics are certainly superior on the PS5, but direct performance comparisons aren’t exactly apples-to-apples here. Running 4K to a large screen doesn’t demand as much power as pushing FHD to a 7-inch panel, so raw power alone shouldn’t be the sole consideration.
Undoubtedly, the PS5 holds an advantage over the Steam Deck in terms of performance, with quicker load times and smoother gameplay. Nevertheless, the Steam Deck manages to offer an impressive gaming experience, particularly when it comes to portable gaming. Furthermore, the Steam Deck’s swifter SSD, outpacing many gaming laptops, contributes to reducing load times.
Steam Deck vs PS5: Which Console Is Right For You?
If you like gaming on the go, the Steam Deck is your best bet. It’s a handheld device that lets you carry your games wherever you want, and it offers a wide range of games. Plus, it can run PC games, giving you even more options to play.
On the other hand, if you care a lot about great graphics and playing the latest big games, the PS5 is a better choice. It’s got strong hardware and exclusive games that make it great for top-tier gaming. The PS5 also lets you play older PS4 games, giving you a big library right from the start.
For gaming with friends, the PS5 might be better since it has features for playing together on the same screen. The Steam Deck is more of a solo gaming device. In the end, it depends on what you want as a gamer. If you like playing anywhere and lots of game options, go for the Steam Deck. But if you want the best graphics and special games, the PS5 is the way to go. Both consoles have something cool to offer gamers like you.
