PlayStation 3 vs PlayStation 5
The gaming world has seen incredible advancements since the release of the PlayStation 3 in 2006. Now, with the PlayStation 5 taking center stage, it’s fascinating to see how far console technology has come. Let’s dive into a comprehensive comparison between these two iconic gaming systems, exploring everything from their specifications to gaming capabilities.
Main Specifications
| Feature | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine | 3.5 GHz AMD Zen 2-based CPU |
| GPU | 550 MHz NVIDIA RSX | 2.23 GHz AMD RDNA 2 GPU |
| RAM | 256 MB XDR DRAM | 16 GB GDDR6 RAM |
| Storage | 20 GB, 40 GB, 60 GB, 80 GB, 160 GB, 320 GB (varies by model) | 825 GB Custom SSD |
| Optical Drive | Blu-ray | 4K UHD Blu-ray |
Display
| Feature | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Resolution | 1080p | 4K (up to 8K supported) |
| Frame Rate | Up to 60 fps | Up to 120 fps |
| HDR | No | Yes |
Video
| Feature | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Video Playback | Blu-ray, DVD | 4K UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD |
| Video Output | HDMI, Component, Composite | HDMI 2.1 |
Platform & Memory
| Feature | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | PlayStation 3 system software | PlayStation 5 system software |
| Memory Card | No (internal storage only) | No (internal SSD, expandable via M.2 slot) |
Body
| Feature | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 5 lbs (2.3 kg) for slim model | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) for disc version |
| Dimensions | 290 × 65 × 290 mm (slim model) | 390 × 104 × 260 mm |
Sound
| Feature | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Technology | Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 | Tempest 3D AudioTech |
| Audio Jack | No (controller) | 3.5mm jack (controller) |
Comms & Sensors
| Feature | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) | Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) |
| Bluetooth | 2.0 + EDR | 5.1 |
| USB | 2 x USB 2.0 | 1 x USB-C, 3 x USB 3.1 |
Benchmarks
| Feature | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|---|
| TFLOPS | 0.23 TFLOPS | 10.28 TFLOPS |
| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 448 GB/s |
PlayStation 3 vs PlayStation 5 Gaming Capabilities
| Feature | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Backward Compatibility | PS1, PS2 (early models only) | PS4, select PS3/PS2/PS1 via PS Plus |
| VR Support | No | Yes (PSVR, PSVR2) |
| Load Times | Slow (HDD-based) | Ultra-fast (SSD-based) |
