PS5 buying advice

[MrGTI6]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

If you subscribe to the top 'premium' option for ps plus you get the option of streaming everything. I think it's £120 pa 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

[RacingStripes]

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]

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.