Is Modern 8K Gaming Even Possible?
The PS5’s proprietary AMD RDNA 2-based GPU struggles with native 8K gaming due to the sheer computational demands.
The Series X supports 8K video playback and has the potential for 8K upscaling in games.
Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek
Like the PS5, the Xbox Series X cant handle native 8K gaming without significant sacrifices.
The most immediate barrier to gamers enjoying the prospective visual bliss is the availability and adoption of 8K displays.
TVs capable of displaying true 8k resolution are still a niche market due totheir prohibitive costand availability.
Samsung
Moreover, 8K content is scarce.
Without widespread content, the incentive to purchase an 8K display diminishes sharply.
Rendering games in 8K resolution is incredibly taxing on hardware.
Even high-end gaming PCs struggle with 8K, and these systems often cost several times more than a console.
For the PS5 and Xbox Series X to handle 8K gaming, significant compromises would be necessary.
The End (of Subpar Resolution) is Nigh!
Some titles might offer 8K upscaling, but this is not the same as true 8K gaming.
Titles likeThe Tourystrenderinternally at 8Kon the PS5, but the console can only output a 4K image.
These are exceptions rather than the rule.
This makes sense given the current market dynamics and hardware limitations.
Some developers are beginning to explore 8K, experimenting with upscaling technologies and preparing for the eventual transition.
Current consoles were not built to be upscaling monsters, but thelooming PlayStation 5 Pro might change that.
Technologies like AI-driven upscaling and more efficient rendering techniques will play a crucial role.
The technical capabilities are simply not yet sufficient to handle the immense demands of native 8K gaming.
