PlayStation 5 for beginners help!

[heart-of-wessex]

Hello all,

Last time I had a PlayStation was back in about 2008 with the PS3 when it was fairly new (I started out with a PS1) and since about 2013/2014 I sold it on, moved house and never got another one since I got more into simulations on the PC. Fast forward to now, and I would actually like to have a PlayStation again, looking at a PS5 for Gran Turismo 7, and for GTA6 for whenever it actually comes out.

Now I am completely out of touch with console systems nowadays, what do I need and what should I get? There's PS5 Pro with 2TB and PS5 with 825GB, no idea what I'd need for GTA6, and what storage I'd need for Gran Turismo 7 as well? I'm going to say the digital one is the one to go for to save on discs.
This brings me onto internet, how does this work does it have WiFi for me to pick up my router downstairs? This works with my PC in the same room I'd have PS5, but if I need a wired connection it isn't going to feasibly work.

Lastly I don't need a PS5 Pro? I only intend to connect this to my JVC 24" LED Smart HD TV which as one HDMI port, I assume this is what the PS5 is connected to the TV with?


Any help is really appreciated as I don't know what I need and even if the internet will work on it


Kind Regards

James

 

[johntea]

You just need to buy a standard PS5 (if buying new PS5 Slim these days), personally I would always go for the disc edition otherwise you're stuck buying digital games on a store that could be say £50 but you could pick up a disc copy for £20!

The 1TB (825GB) built in storage is more than enough, if you do run out of space you can expand the storage with a NVMe drive (basically looks like a stick of chewing gum, 2TB is around £130)

Connects via HDMI and has WiFi built in

It really is that simple CERTAINLY no need for the Pro!

Either way GTA6 has been delayed...again...until 19 November 2026 so the PS6 might be out before GTA6!

 

[nlogax]

Either way GTA6 has been delayed...again...until 19 November 2026 so the PS6 might be out before GTA6!

Rockstar pointed out the second GTA6 trailer was captured from a standard PS5. For me 30fps on my standard PS5 will be plenty and I'll upgrade to a PS6 once the model arrives in 2027 or 2028. @heart-of-wessex it really all depends on how badly you want to play what is only a subset of PS games at 60fps right now.

 

[Bantamzen]

Hello all,

Last time I had a PlayStation was back in about 2008 with the PS3 when it was fairly new (I started out with a PS1) and since about 2013/2014 I sold it on, moved house and never got another one since I got more into simulations on the PC. Fast forward to now, and I would actually like to have a PlayStation again, looking at a PS5 for Gran Turismo 7, and for GTA6 for whenever it actually comes out.

Now I am completely out of touch with console systems nowadays, what do I need and what should I get? There's PS5 Pro with 2TB and PS5 with 825GB, no idea what I'd need for GTA6, and what storage I'd need for Gran Turismo 7 as well? I'm going to say the digital one is the one to go for to save on discs.
This brings me onto internet, how does this work does it have WiFi for me to pick up my router downstairs? This works with my PC in the same room I'd have PS5, but if I need a wired connection it isn't going to feasibly work.

Lastly I don't need a PS5 Pro? I only intend to connect this to my JVC 24" LED Smart HD TV which as one HDMI port, I assume this is what the PS5 is connected to the TV with?


Any help is really appreciated as I don't know what I need and even if the internet will work on it


Kind Regards

James

@johntea Has covered pretty much all of your questions, but there is one additional thing you'll need to play any online multiplayer games, which is a PlayStation Plus account (this isn't needed for offline games). Prices start at £6.99 per month, although you can save a bit if you buy a full years subscription at £59.99. All plans do give you some free games every month which you can then store in your library to download at a future date, and occasionally decent titles drop making the subscription worth it on it's own.

I can't drop the link as I'm on a work's machine, but just search PlayStation Plus to see what the plans are and if they are worth it to you.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Thank you everyone for the replies, I have an idea at least just need to thibk about it now, I've seen many GT7 discs going for sale in CEX, but with disc options I assume you can still buy DLC online, but you don't need a subscription for it?

It's the sub I'm thinking about, for the time I'll be using it, now and again, not sure it would be worth it, already starting subscriptions with Flight Sim stuff, certainly becoming the new thing!

 

[Bantamzen]

Thank you everyone for the replies, I have an idea at least just need to thibk about it now, I've seen many GT7 discs going for sale in CEX, but with disc options I assume you can still buy DLC online, but you don't need a subscription for it?

It's the sub I'm thinking about, for the time I'll be using it, now and again, not sure it would be worth it, already starting subscriptions with Flight Sim stuff, certainly becoming the new thing!

Yeah you can buy games / DLC online, it's just the multi-player online functions that you need to subscription for.

 

[blueberry11]

I would like to also point out another reason to get the PS5 which takes disks. It's because the PS5 can play (almost) every PS4 game thanks to backwards compatibility. Therefore, if you have a collection of (physical) PS4 games, you can play that on PS5, possibly with better graphics and performance. This is also the case with the Nintendo Switch 2 (released in June 2025) being able to play Switch 1 games. I don't currently have a PS (or Xbox) console, but I do have the Nintendo Switch, with plans to get the Switch 2 in a few years time.

I often prefer physical over digital games because I can have a physical collection of it, as well as the option to sell it, donate to charity or give to friends and family.

 

[bearhugger]

One of the reasons I opted for a disc version of my xbox was that it played blu-ray dvds (just needed to download a small sized app). Does the PS5 do the same?

 

[nlogax]

One of the reasons I opted for a disc version of my xbox was that it played blu-ray dvds (just needed to download a small sized app). Does the PS5 do the same?

It does, fair to say Playstation led the way with blu ray playback going back to the original PS3.

 

[generalnerd]

Hello all,

Last time I had a PlayStation was back in about 2008 with the PS3 when it was fairly new (I started out with a PS1) and since about 2013/2014 I sold it on, moved house and never got another one since I got more into simulations on the PC. Fast forward to now, and I would actually like to have a PlayStation again, looking at a PS5 for Gran Turismo 7, and for GTA6 for whenever it actually comes out.

Now I am completely out of touch with console systems nowadays, what do I need and what should I get? There's PS5 Pro with 2TB and PS5 with 825GB, no idea what I'd need for GTA6, and what storage I'd need for Gran Turismo 7 as well? I'm going to say the digital one is the one to go for to save on discs.
This brings me onto internet, how does this work does it have WiFi for me to pick up my router downstairs? This works with my PC in the same room I'd have PS5, but if I need a wired connection it isn't going to feasibly work.

Lastly I don't need a PS5 Pro? I only intend to connect this to my JVC 24" LED Smart HD TV which as one HDMI port, I assume this is what the PS5 is connected to the TV with?


Any help is really appreciated as I don't know what I need and even if the internet will work on it


Kind Regards

James

Play station 48

In all seriousness though the disk version would be ideal, but I also noticed steam are planning on releasing new hardware which might be an option (it’s like a PC set up but console-ified) which will have all the steam games available, but obviously you won’t be able to play your older game from the PS4.

 

[bearhugger]

It does, fair to say Playstation led the way with blu ray playback going back to the original PS3.

Fair enough. I'm a little out of touch as I had the original playstation then no console until I got an xbox a couple of years ago.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Been looking at a couple of 2nd hand ones at CEX shops, most recently found a PS5 Disc Edition 1TB (Slim IIRC as marked as discontinued) at £450, didn't say what was and wasn't included but I've been told about the sale on new ones going on, see PlayStation has these Disc versions going for £389 cheaper than what CEX want

PlayStation®5 Console - 1 TB (UK) | See Price

The PlayStation®5 Console 1 TB unleashes new gaming possibilities that you never anticipated. Discover the features, price, and more.

direct.playstation.com

Also just remembered don't need to worry about WiFi, my TV for YouTube is wired into a TP-Link plugged in at the wall, so in theory if I plugged that into the PS5 that would be wired in

 

[JamesT]

It does, fair to say Playstation led the way with blu ray playback going back to the original PS3.

Though they did rest on their laurels a little, they didn’t add 4K Blu-Ray support to the PS4. Whereas MS added it to the Xbox One S/X refresh.
Which may not matter now people are buying PS5s, but if someone was looking at getting a cheap used console as a cheaper and more flexible alternative to a standalone player…

 

[trainmania100]

Personally I bought a ps5 at launch. I got an Argos stock drop at 3am and collected it the next day.

All I play on it is TSW 5, as a sub for not having a more powerful desktop PC.

I rarely use it for anything else so it does go long times without being used, but the controls are easy to learn.

I recently signed on the Flight Sim beta but didn't like how the aircraft veered off the runway when taking off (rudder didn't help, plane went on its nose)

I have the disk version, but I have rarely ever bought disc games for this, I'm gradually moving digital despite my preference for something I can hold.

I'd recommend a ps5.

 

[nlogax]

I recently signed on the Flight Sim beta but didn't like how the aircraft veered off the runway when taking off (rudder didn't help, plane went on its nose)

From the online feedback I've seen a PS5 Pro may actually be a good choice for anyone seriously considering MS Flight Sim.

That or build a PC.

 

[sor]

If you are going to get one, it might be better to get it sooner rather than later. The AI bubble has prompted huge increases in memory prices as firms like OpenAI have been buying huge chunks of the global supply, as well as suppliers pivoting to making the kinds of higher-profit products that those companies want. This has led to prices of RAM sticks for self build PCs and upgrades literally doubling/tripling or more, as well as one supplier leaving the market.

Hopefully Sony, Nintendo and MS have long term contracts that protect them against this, but it may be better not to wait and see.