The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For the smoothest starting point in CONTROL Resonant, use Remedy’s 1440p/60 profile: Medium graphics, Balanced upscaling and ray tracing Off. On a stronger PC, High graphics with High ray tracing and Quality upscaling is the best 1440p visual compromise. For 4K/60, use High graphics and Performance upscaling; path tracing at 4K/60 is a demanding enthusiast target built around an RTX 5080-class GPU, not a promise for every system.
On standard PS5, start with Performance mode for combat and camera movement, then compare Quality if you prefer more effects over frame-rate consistency. PS5 Pro adds a Balanced mode, but compare all three modes in the same checkpoint because resolution, ray tracing, 120 Hz behavior and other features differ between modes.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Control Ultimate Edition - PlayStation 4 | $29.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Control Xbox One - Xbox One | $18.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Control Ultimate Edition (PS5) | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
FAMILY POCKET RS16 Portable Classic Game Controller - Built-in 260 Games, 2.5 inch LCD, Retro Arcade... | $23.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Best PC settings at a glance
The most useful order for tuning is to protect the base frame rate first, then add visual effects. Remedy’s official profiles make upscaling and ray tracing the main controls, while independent testing shows that lowering the graphics preset can improve both average FPS and 1% lows at 1440p.
| Target | Graphics | Upscaling | Ray tracing | Named GPU tier | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1440p/60 balanced | Medium | Balanced | Off | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, Radeon RX 6700 XT or Arc B580 | Remedy’s recommended non-ray-traced target |
| 1440p visual compromise | High | Quality | High | Tested by PC Gamer at 1440p | Strong image quality with demanding reflections and shadows |
| 4K/60 without ray tracing | High | Performance | Off | GeForce RTX 3080 or Radeon RX 6800 XT class | Remedy’s Enthusiast profile |
| 4K/60 path tracing | High | Performance | High | GeForce RTX 5080 with 12 GB VRAM | Demanding path-tracing target |
| 1080p/30 minimum target | Low | Quality | Off | Remedy’s minimum profile | Baseline for weaker hardware |
These are target profiles, not guaranteed FPS figures. Remedy notes that drivers, background applications, cooling, component configuration and the area being rendered can all change results.
#1 Best Overall
- Control Ultimate Edition contains the main game and all previously released expansions ("The Foundation" and "Awe") in one great value package
- Can you handle The Bureau's dark secrets? Unfold an epic supernatural struggle, filled with unexpected characters and bizarre events, as you search for your missing brother, and discover the truth that has brought you here.
- Unleash destruction through transforming weaponry and telekinetic powers. Discover new ways to annihilate your enemies as you harness powerful abilities to turn everything around you into a lethal weapon
- Delve deep into the ominous expanses of a secretive government agency. Explore The Bureau's shifting environments only to discover that there is always more than meets the eye
- Battle a relentless enemy through exciting missions and challenging boss fights to earn powerful upgrades that maximize abilities and customize your weaponry
What to change first when performance is uneven
- Lower the path-tracing or ray-tracing tier. Move from Ultra to High, then Medium, then Off. This usually preserves more image detail than immediately reducing output resolution.
- Check the base frame rate before using frame generation. Reduce the frame-generation multiplier or disable frame generation if the underlying FPS is weak. Generated frames can make a counter look high while controls still feel delayed.
- Change the upscaler. Move DLSS or FSR from Quality to Balanced, then Performance if necessary. DLSS 4.5 is available on supported NVIDIA hardware; FSR 4.1 is available on supported AMD hardware.
- Reduce expensive scene settings. Lower shadows, volumetrics and foliage before texture resolution when your GPU has enough VRAM. Textures generally affect memory use and clarity more than raw shading load.
- Reduce native output resolution last. This has the clearest effect on image sharpness, so use it only after the rendering and upscaling controls have been exhausted.
Recommended 1440p settings
Balanced 60-FPS starting point
Select Medium graphics, Balanced upscaling and ray tracing Off. This matches Remedy’s official 1440p/60 non-ray-traced target and names GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, Radeon RX 6700 XT or Arc B580 as the relevant GPU tier. It is the safest first configuration for a 1440p monitor because it leaves headroom for combat-heavy scenes instead of tuning to an empty corridor.
Keep frame generation disabled while establishing a stable base rate. Once the game holds your display’s target without large dips, you can test frame generation as a smoothness supplement. It should not be used to conceal a low base FPS.
Higher-quality 1440p compromise
For a stronger GPU, use High graphics, High ray tracing and Quality upscaling. PC Gamer’s 2026 benchmark used this ray-tracing tier and DLSS Quality with frame generation off. On the tested system, the Ultra preset averaged 71 FPS with a 50-FPS 1% low; High averaged 80/57; Medium 81/60; and Low 86/62. The practical recommendation from that test is High graphics plus High ray tracing and Quality upscaling.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The benchmark is evidence from one test configuration, not a universal result for every GPU or CPU. Treat the 1% low as especially important: it describes the slower moments that are more noticeable during combat, rapid camera turns and effects-heavy rooms.
When to use Medium instead of High
Medium can be the better choice even when the average FPS difference looks small. In the PC Gamer results, Medium improved the 1% low from 57 to 60 FPS compared with High while averaging 81 instead of 80 FPS. If your display is 60 or 120 Hz and you feel brief hitching, the extra consistency is usually more valuable than a small increase in shadow or foliage quality.
4K settings and the path-tracing trade-off
4K/60 without ray tracing
Remedy’s Enthusiast profile targets 2160p at 60 FPS with High graphics, Performance upscaling and ray tracing Off. The named hardware tier is a GeForce RTX 3080 or Radeon RX 6800 XT class GPU. Performance upscaling renders internally at a lower resolution and reconstructs the 4K output; it is the normal compromise for this target rather than a defect in the profile.
4K/60 with path tracing
The Path Tracing Enthusiast profile uses High graphics, Performance upscaling and High ray tracing for a 2160p/60 target. Remedy lists a GeForce RTX 5080 with 12 GB of VRAM. Path tracing is considerably more demanding than conventional ray tracing, so this profile should be treated as an enthusiast target with substantial hardware headroom.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteNVIDIA explains that DLSS Ray Reconstruction and Super Resolution can accelerate path-traced rendering by reconstructing lighting and resolution from fewer rendered samples. That makes the upscaler a central part of the path-tracing profile, not an optional finishing touch.
Why generated FPS is not the same as native FPS
Frame generation inserts additional frames between conventionally rendered frames. It can make motion appear smoother, but it does not give the same input response as an equivalent native frame rate. Establish a healthy base rate first, then test the lowest multiplier that improves motion without introducing visible artifacts or latency.
Rank #2
- WORLD WITHIN A LOCATION -- Explore diverse environments and shifting architecture in a deep unpredictable world, set within a sprawling New York building.
- FLEXIBLE AND SUPERNATURAL COMBAT SYSTEM -- Define your playstyle by integrating supernatural abilities, upgrades, and modifiable loadouts.
- REACTIVE ENVIRONMENTS -- Harness dynamic environmental destruction for exciting combat possibilities and master complex rituals to alter your surroundings.
- REALITY MEETS THE UNEXPLAINABLE -- Dive into a dark and brutalist-inspired world where daily reality has been corrupted by an otherworldly force.
NVIDIA reports that, with a fixed 6× multiplier, an RTX 5090 reached up to 320 FPS at 4K Ultra path-traced settings. That is a vendor benchmark using frame generation, not a universal gameplay guarantee and not a replacement for a stable native frame rate.
Upscaling choices: DLSS, FSR and the right preset
Quality
Quality preserves the sharpest reconstructed image among the common performance presets, but it gives the GPU the least relief. Use it for 1440p ray tracing when your base FPS remains stable, as in PC Gamer’s tested recommendation.
Balanced
Balanced is Remedy’s official starting point for 1440p/60 with Medium graphics and no ray tracing. It is the best first adjustment when Quality is close to your target but combat scenes dip below it.
Performance
Performance is Remedy’s choice for both 4K/60 profiles. It provides the rendering headroom needed for 2160p output, especially when path tracing is enabled. Expect a softer image than Quality and inspect fine geometry, signage and moving foliage before deciding whether the extra FPS is worth it.
Hardware support
DLSS 4.5 requires supported NVIDIA hardware, while FSR 4.1 requires supported AMD hardware. Choose the option your GPU supports and compare the same scene at the same camera angle. A higher preset is not automatically better if it produces inconsistent frame times.
Ray tracing and path tracing: what to sacrifice first
Ray tracing and path tracing create the largest visual/performance trade-off in this game. They improve reflections, shadows and global illumination, but their cost rises sharply in scenes with many reflective surfaces, lights or volumetric effects.
- Ultra to High: keep the ray-traced look while reducing the heaviest workload.
- High to Medium: useful when average FPS is acceptable but 1% lows are not.
- Medium to Off: the fastest way to recover headroom on older GPUs.
Lower the RT tier before aggressively reducing output resolution. At 1440p, a stable non-ray-traced image is usually preferable to a blurry image with a nominally higher effect preset. At 4K, use the official Performance upscaling profile before cutting the output target.
PC requirements and setup checks
Every Remedy PC profile requires a 120 GB SSD, 16 GB of RAM and Windows 10 or Windows 11 64-bit. Remedy states: “An SSD is required on all PC Setups.” Install the game on the SSD rather than relying on a hard drive, because asset streaming and scene transitions can otherwise become additional sources of stutter.
- Update the GPU driver before comparing presets.
- Close background recording, browser and overlay processes while troubleshooting.
- Check temperatures and clock behavior during a demanding scene; thermal throttling can look like a graphics-setting problem.
- Leave enough free SSD space for the installation and operating-system activity.
- Use the same resolution, display refresh rate and test checkpoint for every comparison.
A practical PC tuning procedure
- Choose the target. Decide whether you want 1080p/30, 1440p/60 or 4K/60 before changing individual options.
- Apply the closest official profile. Start with Medium/Balanced/RT Off for 1440p, High/Performance/RT Off for 4K, or Low/Quality/RT Off for the minimum target.
- Disable frame generation temporarily. Record native average FPS and observe the slowest moments during combat.
- Measure 1% lows or frame-time consistency. A high average with severe dips will feel worse than a slightly lower but stable result.
- Add ray tracing one tier at a time. Test Medium, then High, and stop when the base rate or frame-time consistency falls below your target.
- Move upscaling only as needed. Try Quality, Balanced and Performance in that order for clarity; reverse the order when recovering performance.
- Adjust shadows, volumetrics and foliage. Reduce these before textures when VRAM is not the limiting factor.
- Test frame generation last. Enable it only after the native frame rate is healthy and verify that latency and artifacts remain acceptable.
Best settings on PS5 and PS5 Pro
Standard PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition
Open Options → Graphics and compare Quality and Performance. Performance is the first choice for smooth combat, quick camera movement and a consistent response. Quality is for players who accept a lower frame-rate target in exchange for more visual effects.
Rank #3
- Uncover the mysteries. Can you handle the bureau's dark secrets? Unfold an epic supernatural struggle, filled with unexpected characters and bizarre events, as you search for your missing brother, and discover the truth that has brought you here
- everything is your weapon. Unleash destruction through transforming weaponry and telekinetic powers. Discover New ways to annihilate your enemies as you harness powerful abilities to turn everything around you into a lethal weapon
- explore a hidden world. Delve deep into the Ominous expanses of a secretive government Agency. Explore the bureau's shifting environments only to discover that there is always more than meets the eye
- fight for control. Battle a relentless enemy through exciting missions and challenging boss fights to earn powerful upgrades that maximize abilities and customize your weaponry
- experience true next-generation gaming with increased visual fidelity through 4K graphics, ray-tracing and a 60FPS performance mode
For Control Ultimate Edition, Remedy’s support FAQ describes Performance Mode as targeting 60 FPS with a 1440p render resolution and 4K output. Graphics Mode targets 30 FPS with ray tracing. These are targets rather than guarantees in every scene.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11PS5 Pro
PS5 Pro adds a Balanced mode alongside Quality and Performance. Compare all three at the same checkpoint, with the same camera view and similar on-screen activity. Remedy warns that ray tracing, 120 Hz output and resolution targets are not identical across modes, so a mode name alone does not tell you the complete rendering configuration.
- Performance: choose first when responsiveness and combat consistency matter most.
- Balanced: use when you want more visual effects than Performance without accepting the full Quality compromise.
- Quality: choose for maximum visual effects when a lower frame-rate target is acceptable.
Xbox Series X and Series S context
Remedy’s support FAQ lists Xbox Series X Performance Mode at a 60-FPS target with 1440p render resolution and 4K output, while Graphics Mode targets 30 FPS with ray tracing. Xbox Series S has Performance Mode only, targeting 60 FPS at 900p render resolution and 1080p output.
Display settings and VRR troubleshooting
Start with Automatic resolution, HDR when your display supports it, VRR only with a compatible display, and 120 Hz Output set to Automatic. These settings establish a known baseline before you compare graphics modes.
- Set the console’s resolution to Automatic.
- Enable HDR only if the display and its input support it correctly.
- Set 120 Hz Output to Automatic.
- Enable VRR on a compatible television or monitor.
- If you see flicker, black screens, signal drops or unstable frame pacing, temporarily disable VRR or 120 Hz Output.
- Change one option at a time and retest the same checkpoint.
Different combinations of display mode and graphics mode can alter the apparent result. Do not compare a VRR-enabled Performance test with a fixed-refresh Quality test and attribute every difference to the game preset.
How to choose based on your hardware and priorities
Older or weaker GPU
Use Low or Medium graphics, DLSS or FSR Balanced/Performance and ray tracing Off. Remedy’s minimum profile is 1080p/30 on Low with Quality upscaling and no ray tracing. If dips remain, move from Quality to Balanced, then Performance, before reducing the output resolution.
Midrange 1440p GPU
Begin with Medium, Balanced and RT Off. Add High graphics or Medium ray tracing only after confirming stable 1% lows. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, Radeon RX 6700 XT and Arc B580 tiers are the named starting point for Remedy’s 1440p/60 recommendation.
High-end 1440p system
Try High graphics, High ray tracing and Quality upscaling. If the average is fine but combat stutters, return to Medium graphics or Balanced upscaling rather than lowering the monitor’s output resolution immediately.
4K system
Use High graphics, Performance upscaling and RT Off with RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT-class hardware for the conventional 4K/60 target. Reserve High path tracing for an RTX 5080-class system and accept that this is an enthusiast workload.
Rank #4
- [more puzzle games] This is a classic plug and play game console released by FAMILY POCKET. With 260 new games built in, it combines entertainment, sports, interaction, education and relaxation in a handheld video game. Creating a healthy mind and body for children. Children's hand-eye coordination, thinking and problem-solving skills are improved as they play games.
- [Delicate and cute] The delicate and compact exterior shape looks very cute and is loved by children. Easy to carry travel electronic toy with a mini body to take anywhere. Specifically tailored for children, it is easy to use and quick to start. Of course, this retro video game console can also take you back to your childhood memories. Perfect for relaxing on the way to work, during your free time. Play anytime, anywhere and enjoy your train childhood, plane, camping or travelling.
- 【Entertain Your Kids and Keep Them Busy】 : English language,simple arcade style,easy to play.It is a perfect partner to keep your kids occupied and have a good time of games playing .You can also enjoy fun games with your sweetheart and it would be so much fun for the whole family.
- [Sturdy and Durable] The case of this handheld game console is made of strong and eco-friendly plastic. It is fingerprint and scratch resistant. After long testing and practical experience, it is strong enough to withstand everyday drops.
- 【Surprise Gift & Hassle-free Purchase】It's cool and perfect for birthdays, Christmas and parties. If you have any questions, customer satisfaction is our top priority. Our customer support team will be happy to serve you.
Common problems and fixes
High FPS counter, sluggish controls
Disable frame generation and check the native frame rate. If the base rate is low, lower RT, then move the upscaler toward Balanced or Performance. Generated frames cannot remove the latency of a weak base rate.
Sharp image but frequent dips
Keep the output resolution and move upscaling from Quality to Balanced. If dips continue, lower ray tracing one tier and reduce shadows or volumetrics.
Blurry 4K image
Verify that the game is outputting 2160p and that Performance upscaling is intentional. If the GPU has headroom, move to a higher-quality upscaler preset before changing the graphics preset. Do not judge sharpness from a single moving frame; compare static geometry and text at the same checkpoint.
Stutter after installing on a hard drive
Move the installation to an SSD. The requirement applies to every PC setup, regardless of graphics preset.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Console flicker or signal loss
Test with VRR disabled, then with 120 Hz Output disabled, changing only one setting per test. Return to Automatic resolution after each change and verify the display’s supported modes.
Bottom line for each target
- Best general PC preset: 1440p, Medium graphics, Balanced upscaling, ray tracing Off.
- Best 1440p visual compromise: High graphics, High ray tracing, Quality upscaling, frame generation Off while validating native performance.
- Best conventional 4K preset: High graphics, Performance upscaling, ray tracing Off.
- Best enthusiast path-tracing target: High graphics, Performance upscaling, High ray tracing on an RTX 5080-class GPU.
- Best standard PS5 choice: Performance mode for responsive combat; compare Quality when visual effects matter more.
- Best PS5 Pro choice: Compare Performance, Balanced and Quality at the same checkpoint, then keep the mode whose frame pacing and image quality fit your display.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use Quality or Performance mode on PS5?
Use Performance first if smooth combat and responsive camera movement are your priority. Choose Quality when you accept a lower frame-rate target for additional visual effects.
Does frame generation guarantee 60 FPS?
No. It creates additional displayed frames but does not replace a healthy native frame rate or remove its input latency. Establish stable base FPS before enabling it.
What GPU is recommended for 1440p at 60 FPS?
Remedy’s named tier for its 1440p/60 Medium, Balanced, ray-tracing-Off profile is GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, Radeon RX 6700 XT or Arc B580.
Recommended Free Tools
Why does PS5 Pro Balanced mode look different from Quality?
Remedy says resolution targets, ray tracing and 120 Hz behavior differ between modes. Compare the modes at the same checkpoint rather than relying on their names alone.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
