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For smoother motion, start with Performance Mode; for higher graphic quality, start with Resolution Mode. On PS5, set the preference at Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets. The choice only affects games that offer the relevant mode, and the game and connected display determine the actual result.
Choose Performance Mode or Resolution Mode
Sony describes the tradeoff as making motion smoother with Performance Mode or choosing higher graphic quality with Resolution Mode. These are preferences for PS5 games, not universal switches that guarantee a fixed frame rate or resolution. Sony also cautions that some presets may not apply to every game. Sony’s Game Presets guide explains the setting.
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- Open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets.
- Choose Performance Mode if smoother motion matters most, or Resolution Mode if higher graphic quality matters most.
- If the game does not seem to follow the preset, check its own graphics or display options. A game may offer different modes or no such choice.
Check the resolution your display is receiving
At Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output, inspect the current video signal. With resolution set to Automatic, the PS5 selects the highest resolution the connected TV supports, according to Sony’s resolution guide. This describes the console’s output capability; it does not mean every game renders at that resolution.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteIf you want to use 1440p output, select 1440p in Video Output. The PS5’s 1440p test can check SDR and HDR output at 60 Hz and 120 Hz, as well as VRR, on a compatible display. Sony notes that a game rendered above 1440p, such as at 4K, may benefit from improved anti-aliasing when supersampled to 1440p; the available modes and image depend on the display.
#1 Best Overall
- Heighten Your Senses. Discover Deeper, highly immersive gaming experiences.
- Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback
- Chat online through the built-in microphone or connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Play on more devices Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth wireless technology so you can easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range titles
Use 120 Hz, VRR and ALLM only when your setup supports them
120 Hz Output
Turn on 120 Hz Output for compatible games and displays. It allows the PS5 to send a 120 Hz signal where supported; it does not make an unsupported game run at 120 frames per second. If a monitor or TV has output problems with 120 Hz games, Sony recommends turning the setting off.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
VRR synchronizes a compatible display’s refresh rate with the console’s graphical output in supported games. Sony says results vary by TV and game. The option Apply to Unsupported Games is available for trying VRR with games that do not officially support it; disable it if a game behaves unexpectedly. See Sony’s PS5 features page for its description of VRR.
Rank #2
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
ALLM signals a compatible TV to switch to a low-latency mode during gameplay. Not every HDMI 2.1 TV supports ALLM, so check the display’s manual. Sony notes that VRR output can activate low-latency mode even when ALLM is Off; to disable it completely, turn VRR Off as well. The PS5 does not send an ALLM signal while a media app is running.
Set HDR to match the content and display
The PS5 offers Always On and On When Supported. Always On converts even unsupported games and apps to HDR output; On When Supported leaves non-HDR content in SDR. For HDR-compatible games and displays, use Adjust HDR to tune brightness. HDR is not an automatic upgrade for every screen or every piece of content, so choose the behavior that looks right on your calibrated display.
Rank #3
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
Troubleshoot flicker or missing 4K/120 Hz output
If the 4K picture flickers
In Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output, try Video Transfer Rate -1 or -2. Sony says these settings limit 4K output and may improve the picture when it flickers. They also restrict signal formats, so use them as compatibility troubleshooting rather than as general picture enhancements:
- -1 restricts 4K 120 Hz, 4K 50/60 Hz RGB or YUV444 DeepColor and, on CFI-7000 model-group consoles, 8K 60 Hz.
- -2 restricts 4K 120 Hz and 8K 60 Hz, and limits 4K 50/60 Hz RGB or YUV444; 4K 50/60 Hz uses YUV420.
If 4K/120 Hz is missing
Check Sony’s compatibility points before changing other image settings:
Rank #4
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
- Confirm that the TV supports 4K/120 Hz and has current firmware.
- Connect the PS5 directly to the correct HDMI 2.1 port on the TV.
- Set Resolution to Automatic or 2160p, and Video Transfer Rate to Automatic.
- Use the HDMI cable included with the console or an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120 Hz.
Changing cables is not a routine graphics upgrade; it is relevant when a compatible display’s high-bandwidth signal is missing or unstable.
Know which options depend on your PS5 model
Sony’s guide lists Allow 8K Output, Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games and Enhance PSSR Image Quality for CFI-7000 model-group consoles. Do not assume these settings appear on every PS5. 8K output requires a display that supports 8K/60 Hz and DSC, and VRR is disabled during 8K output.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
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