PS5 buying advice
Author
Discussion

MrGTI6

Original Poster:

3,280 posts

155 months

Saturday 25th April
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I've decided I'd like to treat myself to a PS5. I used to play early Gran Turismo games and would like to get into GT7. I am also interested in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto game having played some of the earlier ones years ago.

Having looked online, it seems to be something of a minefield with all kinds of different specs of PS5 available, and it's difficult to understand what is/isn't a good deal.

I feel like the 2TB Pro would be nice to have, but not sure if it's overkill for what would likely be very limited use.

Also I think I would prefer to have a disc version to avoid using up all the memory, but I'm not sure whether or not that would be an issue given that I wouldn't be using it all that often.

Any input would be gratefully received, along with suggestions of what would be a sensible budget.

simon_harris

2,771 posts

59 months

Saturday 25th April
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If I was buying today it would be the 2tb pro disc version, even then I am not that is really enough space. There are number of games I bought the disc version of second hand and saved more than the difference in cost of the disc vs non disc version

davek_964

10,881 posts

200 months

Saturday 25th April
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I have a disc machine. I never ever use a disc.
I have a usb drive attached and simply move games I'm not currently playing if I'm low on space.
And with the premium subscription I have - I can stream games if I want to.

wildoliver

9,239 posts

241 months

Saturday 25th April
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I've got the pro and got a disc drive to clip on so if you get the non disc it is fittable later. I do use the disc drive a lot as it opens up cheap second hand games and a lot of PS4 games carry over.

Unless there was a huge price difference if be inclined to get the pro. It's a nice machine.

Dave Hedgehog

15,980 posts

229 months

Saturday 25th April
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i have a disc machine, only use it to play one blue ray that i cannot find on a streaming service or the seven seas (BD is dog st slow to load anything compared to the onboard SSD)

given that a ps5 with 1tb extra storage is currently £600 (named brand 1tb PS5 M.2 on amazon is £120 today) i would buy this refurbed pro from currys with 12 months warranty for £600

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/sony-refurbished...


Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Saturday 25th April 14:36

silvagod

1,079 posts

185 months

Saturday 25th April
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I bought a 2nd hand disk version about 6 months ago for £350 from cash convertors and then stuck a 2TB SSD in it.

I have never got anywhere near enough to running out of space.

I know SSDs are not exactly best price at the moment but you can get a 1tb for £80 (WD Black from Argos) so they are not that bad!


Shaoxter

4,553 posts

149 months

Saturday 25th April
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MrGTI6 said:
Also I think I would prefer to have a disc version to avoid using up all the memory, but I'm not sure whether or not that would be an issue given that I wouldn't be using it all that often.
That's not how it works, everything is installed on the internal SSD (or the SSD in the expansion slot if you have one) and the disc is only used for verification purposes when you start the game up. Getting disc versions of games is generally cheaper as you can resell them after you've finished, but there is the hassle of changing discs every time you want to play something different.

Unfortunately there was a price hike recently, up to you whether you think the premium on the Pro version is worth it. I have the normal one and don't have any interest in upgrading to the Pro.

siovey

1,878 posts

163 months

Sunday 26th April
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Buy the disc version. Gives you access to cheap, used ps4 games and the free upgrade to the ps5 version through the store.

Fitting another 2/4TB SSD is really easy and will give you all the space you'll ever need. thumbup

If you subscribe to the top 'premium' option for ps plus you get the option of streaming everything. I think it's £120 pa eek but there are offers on every now and then and you can get it for sub £80 using a cheap shopto voucher which makes it fantastic value thumbup

RacingStripes

828 posts

55 months

Sunday 26th April
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Get a disc version, without a disc version you'll never be able to pick up a used game for £5, never be able to sell it on when you've finished with it, and forever be tied to the prices on the PlayStation store. Digital is designed for the modern short attention span people with the "i need it now" attitude, as they cant wait for something to be delivered or go pick it up.
New digital game £60, that money is then gone forever, physical game £60, complete it in a week then sell it for £55, same entertainment and it cost you £5 or you could lend it to a friend etc.

The industry wants to force us to go digital only as they get more money. 2 million buy the game and then sell it on, 4 million get to play it. But Sony only get money from the first 2 million. Theyd love to stop that so all 4 million give them money.

Saying that, the PS5 slim and PS5 pro (both have a black join on the case accross the system) can have a disc drive added on later. Its only the early versions where each side is solid white where you cant add one.

Depending how many games you play at the same time will dictate how much memory you need (and the type of game). All have M.2 slots to add more memory though if you feel you need it.

Lucas Ayde

4,114 posts

193 months

Sunday 26th April
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Shaoxter said:
That's not how it works, everything is installed on the internal SSD (or the SSD in the expansion slot if you have one) and the disc is only used for verification purposes when you start the game up. Getting disc versions of games is generally cheaper as you can resell them after you've finished, but there is the hassle of changing discs every time you want to play something different.

Unfortunately there was a price hike recently, up to you whether you think the premium on the Pro version is worth it. I have the normal one and don't have any interest in upgrading to the Pro.
I used to avoid disc versions as I figured that swapping discs all the time vs having everything availble to go would be better - 'digital' downloads - but I've figured out through experience that I tend to play only 1 or 2 Playstation games at a time so it's not really any hassle. It's also nice to be able to buy secondhand games and have the possibility to sell your old ones, though I tend to keep everything.

As a result, I've restricted myself to only buying physical media since I bought my PS5 Slim and it's working out great. I look for offers on PS5 game discs on Amazon or even in Argos plus secondhand on eBay. I also tend to go for PS5 exclusives or at least games that came out first on the PS5 as my main gaming platform now is Steam/PC. For console gaming, I will just pick a PS5 game and stick with it for weeks/months. The only new 'digital' downloads that I buy for it are selected 'PS5 upgrades' to PS4 versions of games that I already own and I'm on PS+ essential so I get a few 'free' digital PS5 games every month too. I already have a stack of digital download games that I bought for my PS4 Pro which are installed on my PS5 if I really need an immediate Playstation game without getting off my lazy arse to put a disc into the console.

If I ever do sell the PS5 then I have a selection of games that I can bundle with it to make it easier to shift but I'm most likely to keep it and add to my collection of older playstations.


mattstr675

135 posts

65 months

Sunday 26th April
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On the buying digital side of things, you can buy ps credit for less than face value ( ie £50 which you pay something like £42 for. The higher the value the more you save). So that can make buying digital games a bit cheaper.

I was always against buying digitally, but now I've got a Ps Portal I think I will only be buying digitally in the future.

Think mine is the original fat disc ps5. I've since added 1tb of memory. Unfortunately I've just had to pack it up and send off to get the disc drive repaired/ replaced- seems to be quite a common issue, maybe one to be aware of of if buying pre-owned.

Focused

1,408 posts

307 months

Sunday 26th April
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I recently bought PS5 Pro, disc player and Black Ops 7 bundle from Very, All for £630. Prices seem high atm but watch for deals. I bought Battlefield 6 disc off eBay for £36 new. Pro is great and if you're thinking of getting the PS VR2, the image quality is better in GT7. It's a slippery slope though. I have ended up with racing rig, VR, 6 bass-shakers, SimHub and full surround sound. Be warned laugh

AnonSA

42 posts

31 months

Sunday 26th April
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You need a Pro. I purchased mine with the official disc drive and stand from Smyths for £685 in last years Black Friday sale. I had an original PS5 for many, many years and the Pro is a significant upgrade.

boyse7en

8,016 posts

190 months

Monday 27th April
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AnonSA said:
You need a Pro. I purchased mine with the official disc drive and stand from Smyths for £685 in last years Black Friday sale. I had an original PS5 for many, many years and the Pro is a significant upgrade.
What is it that is better on the Pro? I've read the spec differences, but wonder what you actually notice when using it

AnonSA

42 posts

31 months

Monday 27th April
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boyse7en said:
AnonSA said:
You need a Pro. I purchased mine with the official disc drive and stand from Smyths for £685 in last years Black Friday sale. I had an original PS5 for many, many years and the Pro is a significant upgrade.
What is it that is better on the Pro? I've read the spec differences, but wonder what you actually notice when using it
Quicker, PSSR2 is incredible, more space.. more future proof. I think it’s worth it.

Dave Hedgehog

15,980 posts

229 months

Wednesday 29th April
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box damaged PS5 Pro (unit still sealed) 12 month warranty £580

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/playstation-5-pro...

I bought one

and don’t forget these are now £790

Shaoxter

4,553 posts

149 months

Thursday 30th April
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Ugh I bought one too. Man maths said I could sell my OG PS5 and the 2TB SSD currently inside it (the SSD is selling for more than I paid for it!) and upgrade for only £100 or so. Although I need a disc drive too, but those kind of things don't factor into man maths smile