How Much Power Do the PS5 and PS4 Actually Use?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of how much electricity gaming consoles consume is increasingly relevant, especially with rising energy costs and a growing awareness of environmental impact. Understanding the power consumption of your PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PlayStation 4 (PS4) can help you estimate their contribution to your energy bills and make informed decisions about your gaming habits. Let’s dive into the specifics of their power usage.
PS5 Power Consumption: A Deep Dive
The PS5 is a significantly more powerful console than its predecessor, which naturally leads to increased energy consumption, particularly when running graphically demanding games. However, power usage varies based on what the console is doing.
While gaming, the PS5 typically draws between 160 and 200 watts. Sony’s website states that the PS5 uses an average of 196.9 watts while gaming, which we often round up to 197 watts for simplicity. These figures are applicable to the most resource-intensive, newer-generation titles that push the console to its limits.
Streaming content from services like Amazon Prime or Netflix results in a notably lower energy draw. The PS5 consumes between 68 and 70 watts when streaming, a significant drop from its gaming consumption. This demonstrates that the console is much more energy-efficient when performing less demanding tasks.
In Rest Mode, the PS5 is remarkably efficient, using only 1.3 watts with all features enabled. This is a significant improvement over the PS4 Pro. This allows the console to remain in a low power state, ready to jump back into the action, while downloading updates.
It’s worth noting that the original PS5 models had a slightly higher peak consumption at 218 watts, while newer models have been measured at around 201 watts. These minor variations are likely due to updates in the console’s design and manufacturing.
PS4 Power Consumption: A Breakdown
The PS4, being an older generation console, has a different power profile than the PS5. Here’s how the different PS4 models stack up.
The original PS4 has a maximum rated wattage of 250 watts. However, its typical power consumption while gaming is usually less, averaging around 100-150 watts per hour.
The PS4 Slim is a more energy-efficient model. It is 40% smaller and has a maximum rated wattage of 165 watts. It also typically sits within the 100-150 watts per hour range during gameplay.
The PS4 Pro, designed for 4K gaming, is the most power-hungry of the PS4 family, with a maximum rated wattage of 310 watts. When in use, it will also typically average around 100-150 watts per hour.
The average monthly power consumption for a PS4 is around 60-90 kilowatt-hours (kWh), depending on usage. This is an important metric for estimating monthly electricity costs.
Key Comparisons and Takeaways
- Gaming Power: The PS5 uses significantly more power when gaming than the PS4 (197 watts vs. 100-150 watts average).
- Streaming Power: Both consoles use substantially less power when streaming compared to gaming (PS5: 68-70 watts, PS4 also less than gaming usage).
- Rest Mode: The PS5 is vastly more efficient in rest mode (1.3 watts) than any PS4 model (over 5 watts with all features enabled on PS4 Pro).
- PS5 vs. PS4 Pro: While the PS5 is much more powerful, its improved efficiency means it doesn’t consume as much power in rest mode as a PS4 Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the PS5 more energy-efficient than the PS4?
Yes, in some respects. While the PS5 consumes more power while gaming, it’s dramatically more efficient in Rest Mode, using about 80% less power than PS4 models. The PS5’s performance-to-power ratio is a massive improvement compared to the PS4.
2. How much does it cost to run a PS5 for a month?
This depends on your local electricity rates and gaming hours. However, a rough estimate would be around £7.38 per month for two hours of daily high-demanding gaming, assuming average electricity prices, which is about $9.40 USD, considering current exchange rates.
3. Does the PS5 use a lot of electricity?
The PS5 does use more electricity than the PS4 when gaming. However, its Rest Mode is very power-efficient, and its streaming power consumption is quite low. It is essential to note that high-demand games will draw much higher power than less demanding ones.
4. How many watts does the PS4 use per hour?
The average PS4 consumes around 100-150 watts per hour while gaming, although the specific amount depends on the model (original, slim, or pro).
5. How does the PS5’s power compare to a PS4 Pro?
The PS5 uses more power than the PS4 Pro when gaming, typically around 197 watts compared to the PS4 Pro’s 100-150 watts average. But the PS5’s rest mode is dramatically more efficient than the PS4 Pro.
6. What is the maximum wattage of the original PS4?
The original PS4 has a maximum rated wattage of 250 watts. However, it rarely draws that much power in real-world gaming scenarios, as the average is within the range of 100 – 150 watts.
7. How much does it cost to run a PS4 all day?
Running a PS4 all day is not recommended, but with average monthly consumption of 60-90 kWh, and at an average energy cost, would cost approximately between $14.70-$24.50 annually if used regularly. This is simply an estimate, as actual cost will depend on local electricity costs.
8. Is it okay to leave the PS4 in Rest Mode all the time?
Yes, it is generally safe to leave a PS4 in Rest Mode, as it consumes very little power and allows for background updates. However, if you are leaving it for a prolonged period and are worried about power, it would be best to turn it off.
9. What uses the most electricity in a typical home?
The most significant electricity consumer in a home is typically heating and cooling, which can account for 45-50% of your total energy consumption. Other big consumers include water heaters, lighting, and refrigerators.
10. Will the PS5 sell more than the PS4?
While the PS4 has outsold the PS5 up until now, Sony believes the PS5 will eventually overtake its predecessor. The newer console will only be in the market longer than the previous one, and as the older console ages and newer generations become available, this is a very high likelihood.
11. Is it worth upgrading from a PS4 to a PS5?
The PS5 offers significantly better graphics, faster load times, and a better overall gaming experience. If you play games that are visually intense or are looking for higher performance, upgrading is worthwhile. However, if you mainly play older games or games that are less technically intensive, you may not notice the difference as much.
12. Can I play PS4 games on my PS5?
Yes, the overwhelming majority of PS4 games are playable on PS5 consoles. Furthermore, select PS4 games will benefit from the PS5’s Game Boost feature, providing higher or smoother frame rates.
13. Does the PS5 use more power for gaming or streaming?
The PS5 uses significantly more power for gaming (around 197 watts) compared to streaming (68-70 watts). The console requires more resources to render complex graphics while gaming.
14. How does a TV compare to a console in terms of power usage?
Modern TVs use an average of 58.6 watts when “on” and 1.3 watts in standby mode. While a TV’s usage may appear low compared to the peak consumption of the PS5, the overall usage is closer to the PS4’s average use, as TVs tend to be in use for longer durations than gaming consoles.
15. How much can I save with the PS5’s Rest Mode?
The PS5’s Rest Mode consumes just 1.3 watts. This is a substantial improvement over the PS4 Pro’s 5 watts in the same mode and will result in reduced energy costs and an overall lower carbon footprint.
By understanding the power consumption of the PS5 and PS4, you can make more informed decisions about your gaming habits and their impact on your energy usage. Knowing this information also allows you to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of upgrading to newer consoles and choosing the right gaming hardware.