According to a report by wccftech， the PlayStation 6 (PS6) is rumored to feature more RAM than its predecessors， the PS5 and PS5 Pro， both of which are equipped with 16GB. However， technical experts at Digital Foundry， known for their in-depth hardware analysis， suggest that the memory increase for the next-generation console might not be substantial， and they have outlined several key reasons for this prediction.
During a recent podcast episode， several prominent tech specialists from Digital Foundry discussed the optimal memory configuration for next-generation consoles， specifically addressing the much-anticipated PS6. Their insights were prompted by a question from a patron.
The experts highlighted that the current 16GB of RAM is already capable of rendering numerous sophisticated visual effects. Furthermore， the industry is reportedly approaching limitations in texture and art asset technology. Consequently， they consider 24GB of RAM to be a sensible allocation for the PS6. This proposed increase would primarily be dedicated to supporting machine learning functionalities and more advanced ray tracing technologies， areas that Sony has itself indicated as crucial for the future development of the PlayStation platform.
An additional factor limiting memory expansion is the persistently high cost of DRAM. While efforts have been made to reduce costs， there hasn’t been a significant decrease in recent years， which naturally influences hardware manufacturers’ decisions on memory configurations to maintain competitive pricing.
Moreover， if rumors regarding a potential PlayStation handheld device prove accurate， it is highly probable that it would also be equipped with 16GB of RAM. In such a scenario， if developers are expected to create games that run seamlessly on both a handheld and a home console， a PS6 with 24GB of RAM would present a more logical and optimized choice for cross-platform development. This ensures that proprietary features and performance targets can be met across different hardware tiers without significant compromises.
Predictions for Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox are more complex. It’s anticipated that Microsoft might pursue a different strategic direction， potentially diverging from a direct competitive stance with the PS6. Instead， Microsoft’s upcoming system could lean towards a “pre-built PC” model， offering a more flexible and upgradeable gaming experience.
If Microsoft indeed adopts this strategy， their higher-end models could potentially surpass Sony’s console in terms of APU performance and memory capacity. This approach allows for greater customization and can appeal to a segment of the market that desires PC-like performance within a console form factor.
Digital Foundry has revealed that Microsoft has previously explored the possibility of releasing products akin to “PC-in-a-box” systems， rather than traditional consoles. However， the rapid escalation of costs made such ventures unattractive within the conventional console market. The “pre-built PC” market， on the other hand， offers a unique opportunity. Such products could fill the price gap between entry-level consoles and high-end PCs. Therefore， the possibility of a “PC-in-a-box” emerging in the future， with specifications that exceed Sony’s next-generation console， remains a distinct consideration.
