# Everything You Need to Know About the PS5 Digital Edition

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/what-comes-with-ps5-digital-edition/
- Published: 2023-11-08
- Author: Nelson Ayers
- Categories: [Basic knowledge & Meaning](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/meaning/)

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Hey there! As a fellow gaming and tech enthusiast, I know how exciting it is to get your hands on a brand new console. The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition is an especially intriguing new entry, offering cutting edge power and performance without the disc drive.

In this detailed guide, we‘ll take a comprehensive look at everything that comes in the box, how the digital edition stacks up to the regular PS5, tips for making the most of the all-digital experience, and whether or not the digital edition is truly worth the investment for your gaming needs. Let‘s dive in!

## Unboxing the Streamlined Digital Edition

Let‘s start by unboxing the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition and seeing what‘s included:

- PlayStation 5 Digital Edition console – delivers the same speed and performance as the regular PS5, just without a disc drive
- DualSense wireless controller – featuring haptic feedback and adaptive triggers for immersive gameplay
- HDMI cable – supports 4K resolution and high frame rates up to 120fps
- USB Type-C charging cable – for conveniently charging the DualSense controller
- Power cord – supports the console‘s 350W power draw and cooling system
- Instruction manual – for initial setup and learning about features
- Base stand – provides vertical or horizontal orientation

That covers the physical components. You‘ll also get Astro‘s Playroom game pre-installed, which is a fun platformer that shows off the DualSense controller.

## Power and Performance of the Digital Edition

Now that we‘ve seen what‘s in the box, you must be wondering exactly how powerful the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition is. Here‘s a detailed rundown of the internal specs and performance capabilities:

- CPU: 8-core AMD Zen 2, clocked at 3.5GHz
- GPU: Custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU with 36 CUs at 2.23 GHz
- RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Storage: 825GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD
- Optical drive: No Blu-ray drive
- Max resolution: Up to 8K
- Frame rates: Up to 120fps
- Ray tracing: Hardware accelerated
- 3D audio: Tempest Engine

As you can see, the PS5 Digital Edition has the exact same cutting edge internals as the regular PS5, delivering up to 10.28 TFLOPs of power. The only difference is the missing 4K Blu-ray drive.

In terms of real-world gaming performance when compared to the PS5 with disc drive, tests confirm there is no difference in frame rates or load times. All the power is there even without a disc drive.

## Massive Game Sizes – How Much Fits on the SSD?

One downside of the PS5 Digital Edition is the set 825GB of onboard SSD storage. Downloaded PS5 games are massive, often exceeding 50GB per title. How long will 825GB really last you?

To find out, I compared the install sizes of some of the most popular PS5 games available:

| Game Title | Install Size |
| --- | --- |
| Marvel‘s Spider-Man Remastered | 105GB |
| NBA 2K21 | 101GB |
| Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War | 95GB |
| Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla | 48GB |
| Demon‘s Souls | 66GB |
| Sackboy A Big Adventure | 42GB |

As you can see, these next-gen games range from 40GB up to a whopping 105GB! Now let‘s see how many actually fit on the 825GB SSD using some quick math:

- 105GB (Spider-Man) = 8% of 825GB
- 101GB (NBA 2K21) = 12% of 825GB

You can realistically fit only about 7-10 big titles at once on the Digital Edition‘s internal storage. Once you do fill it up, you‘ll need to delete games or add external USB storage.

## Expanding Your Storage

To augment the limited onboard 825GB, you have a couple options:

**External USB drive** – You can attach an external HDD via USB to store your PS4 games. PS5 titles must run from internal SSD, but you can offload PS4 games here.

**Internal SSD upgrade** – The PS5 storage can be upgraded by installing an M.2 NVMe SSD in the expandable storage bay. It must meet Sony‘s speed requirements – a 1TB drive runs $150-$200.

Adding a cheap external HDD gives you tons of extra space for a PS4 back catalog. Down the road, upgrading the internal SSD will future-proof and maximize storage for next-gen games.

## PlayStation Store for Digital Game Goodness

With the disc drive gone, your gateway to building a game library is the PlayStation Store for digital purchases. Here are some key things to know:

- New release games are usually full price – $59.99 or $69.99
- Prices are competitive with retailers for new titles
- Frequent sales on older and indie games
- Keep an eye out for holiday sales events
- PlayStation Plus members get exclusive discounts

Sony has committed to releasing major first party PS5 exclusives both physically and digitally, so you won‘t miss out on big releases like the next God of War. Take advantage of seasonal sales to get the best bang for your buck.

Check out the current PlayStation Store deals > [https://store.playstation.com/en-us/category/deals/](https://store.playstation.com/en-us/category/deals/)

## Don‘t Forget PlayStation Plus Perks!

A PlayStation Plus membership is extremely worthwhile for PS5 Digital Edition owners. For just $9.99 per month, a PS Plus sub gets you:

- 2-3 free games each month
- Online multiplayer access
- Exclusive member discounts
- 100GB cloud storage for game saves

The monthly freebies alone can net you 20+ great games per year! PS Plus expands your library even further when funds are low. Cloud storage lets you conveniently backup saves if you uninstall games to free up space.

Some of the best PS Plus games from 2020 include:

- Call of Duty: WWII
- Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
- Friday the 13th: The Game
- Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition

Visit [PlayStation Plus](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-plus/) to learn more and subscribe.

## Enjoy Your Digital Games Offline

While an internet connection is required for downloading any new games, you‘ll be glad to know the PS5 Digital Edition can fully play downloaded games offline:

- Enable console sharing and offline play
- Access and enjoy any games you‘ve already downloaded
- Play single player offline modes even without internet
- Stream video apps like Netflix and YouTube

So feel free to hunker down offline and enjoy your digital game library once everything is downloaded and updated. Just reconnect online periodically to grab the latest game patches.

## Outfitting Your Digital Edition with Accessories

To complete your PS5 Digital setup, here are some recommended accessories worth considering:

- **Extra DualSense controller** – Have a 2nd or 3rd controller ready for local multiplayer sessions
- **PS5 wireless headset** – Experience 3D spatial audio and voice chat during online play
- **DualSense charging station** – Conveniently charge two controllers at once
- **HD camera** – For streaming yourself playing or video calls with faraway friends
- **External SSD** – Add physical storage for your PS4 games collection

Check out Sony‘s official PS5 accessories and find the right enhancements for your needs!

Shop PS5 Accessories > [https://direct.playstation.com/en-us/accessories/accessory](https://direct.playstation.com/en-us/accessories/accessory)

## The Great Digital vs Physical Debate

For gamers, one of the big debates is buying games digitally versus physical copies. What are the pros and cons of each approach?

**Digital benefits**

- Instant access with no disc switching
- Games can‘t be damaged or lost
- Potentially discounted prices during sales
- Pre-load pre-orders to play at launch
- No clutter of game cases

**Physical benefits**

- Ability to lend, gift, trade, or resell games
- Collector appeal of game discs & cases
- Sometimes cheaper physical deals
- Can purchase pre-owned copies
- Guaranteed access in case of server issues

It‘s an extremely personal preference. But all-digital definitely simplifies gaming – no shuffling around discs or trips to buy games in stores required!

## Is the PS5 Digital Edition Worth It?

So, is the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition worth picking for your next-gen console? In my opinion – absolutely!

Assuming you‘re comfortable going all-in on digital game downloads, the $399 price is an amazing value. The performance is just as fast as the regular PS5. You‘re getting the same powerful specs under the hood.

Just be diligent about managing the limited onboard storage space. Add an external drive and routinely clear out older games you‘ve finished. Take advantage of PlayStation Store sales and PlayStation Plus freebies to keep your library stocked.

With the right digital approach, the PS5 Digital Edition will be an epic centerpiece of your gaming setup for years to come! Have fun and let me know if you have any other questions!

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Source: [Everything You Need to Know About the PS5 Digital Edition](https://33rdsquare.com/what-comes-with-ps5-digital-edition/)
