(Image credit: Future / AMD / Nvidia)
I’m considering…of the Nvidia RTX 5070, or perhaps even more exciting, the speculated RTX 5070 Ti, or the AMD RX 8800 XT, or possibly the RTX 5080, contingent on the developments with these next-gen GPU releases and how the pricing unfolds. (Admittedly, the RTX 5080 might be significantly optimistic, considering pricing rumors indicate it’ll be quite expensive – but I can fantasize, don’t take that away from me).
The chances are heavily in favor of some outstanding new options for the finest mid-to-upper tier graphics cards making their way to store shelves in January 2025 (or within the first quarter at some point). It’d be sheer folly not to wait and observe the type of value I’ll gain from these GPUs compared to what’s currently available.
Additional price reductions may, of course, occur with existing-gen GPUs as the next-gen variants debut, so regardless, it should be a fruitful harvest for a compelling value proposition. Fingers crossed, as always.
(Image credit: LG)
The advantages and disadvantages of my ambitious couch gaming strategy
In my view, the benefits of pursuing this approach are that I not only establish a living room setup for an impressive 4K gaming experience on my television with couch play – that’s set to surpass the PS5 Pro for graphical fidelity – but I also gain the advantage of remarkably enhanced 1440p frame rates while gaming on my PC in my study. A twofold victory, essentially.
Moreover, I can retain my PS4 Pro in the living room (I wouldn’t have received much for it anyway, looking at current second-hand rates, in my PS5 Pro swap-out upgrade scenario) and still enjoy my PlayStation library (and perhaps more titles that emerge next year).
On the flip side, I’ll miss out on those PS5 exclusives, it’s true. But nowadays, PlayStation ports are arriving on the PC with increasing speed and consistency (and they generally tend to be solid versions of those games, too).
(Image credit: TechRadar)
I understand that my plan won’t suit everyone – managing three cables isn’t exactly an ideal setup. It’s somewhat cumbersome and low-tech, as I previously mentioned, but I believe it’s something I can comfortably adapt to. I’ll likely only pull out the cables for extended weekend gaming marathons, when we hunker down at the TV to dive into a game.
I’m genuinely excited to try out this concept and am quite hopeful it’ll turn out well. Naturally, I’ve already tested the setup with my current RTX 2060 Super GPU, which clearly isn’t very capable for 4K gaming. However, it performed adequately with some less demanding titles at that resolution, and the controllers functioned flawlessly, as if they are directly connected to the PC – which, indeed, they are – plus the image on the 4K TV (an OLED) is pristine.
Some contend you might require a superior (fiber optic) HDMI cable, ideally, for smooth 4K gaming in this type of arrangement, but I tried a less intensive shooter and found it operated sufficiently well, even on my aging graphics card. An upgraded HDMI cable is a future investment I might consider (the long ones can be expensive). For the moment, though, I’m content – well, I will be when I procure that new GPU as 2025 begins.
There are alternative options, of course, aside from cables, and not merely running the controllers wirelessly as I mentioned earlier. Another possibility that might fit your situation is to eliminate the HDMI lead and opt for a different method entirely to connect a PC in another room to your living room television. Specifically, streaming utilizing something like the Nvidia Shield TV (along with the Sunshine and Moonlight applications, since Team Green discontinued GameStream last year). Using that setup, and wireless controllers, you’d avoid any trailing cables entirely.
There are numerous methods to empower a gaming PC to play games on your large screen TV in the living room while lounging on your couch. I believe it’s worth investigating those choices instead of spending a hefty sum on a premium PlayStation (or Xbox), especially considering how costly the PS5 Pro has turned out to be for those in the Sony camp.
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