Building a $1500 PC to Challenge the PS5 Pro at Micro Center

Micro Center Phoenix Grand Opening Build

• 🚀 The video chronicles the construction of a PC at the new Micro Center in Phoenix, aiming to rival the PS5 Pro.
• ⏱️ A tight deadline was imposed, with the PC needing to be built and transported on a flight departing in six hours.
• 💡 The Cooler Master NCORE 100 MAX case was chosen for its compact size, fitting overhead bin requirements, and integrated power supply and AIO cooler.

PC Component Selection

• 🎯 An ASRock B650I ITX motherboard was selected for its balance of features and affordability.
• 🧠 The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU was chosen to match and potentially exceed the PS5 Pro's eight-core processor, focusing on single-thread performance.
• 🎮 A Sapphire 9060 XT GPU was selected as a mid-range option, considered roughly equivalent to the PS5 Pro's graphics capabilities, with a smaller form factor for easier transport.
• 💾 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a PS5-specific SSD were included to ensure adequate performance and authenticity.

Build Process and Initial Testing

• 🛠️ The PC build involved installing the CPU, RAM, SSD, and GPU into the ITX case, with a minor hiccup regarding thermal paste application.
• ✅ The system successfully POSTed after ensuring the GPU was properly seated, indicating a functional build.
• ✈️ The completed PC was deemed portable enough to pass through airport security without issue, a testament to its compact design.

Performance Comparison: PC vs. PS5 Pro

• ⚔️ Head-to-head comparisons were conducted using PlayStation exclusive titles like Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us 2 Remastered.
• 📊 In Horizon Forbidden West, the PS5 Pro was observed to have a slight edge in visual quality and performance, despite the PC running on very high settings with FSR 3.
• 🧐 The Last of Us 2 Remastered showed the PS5 Pro appearing sharper initially, though adjusting PC settings, including sharpening and film grain, improved its appearance.
• 💰 A significant disparity in cost was highlighted, with the PC build costing approximately $1500, roughly double the PS5 Pro's price point, emphasizing the console's value proposition for out-of-the-box performance.
• ⚖️ While PCs offer greater flexibility and game selection, consoles provide a simpler, more streamlined gaming experience.