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Choose Performance Mode if smoother motion matters most; choose Resolution Mode—often called Quality Mode in a game’s own menu—if higher graphic quality matters more. The tradeoff is specific to each game: the labels describe priorities, not a guaranteed frame rate or resolution.
What Performance Mode and Quality Mode mean on PS5
PlayStation describes Performance Mode as a way to make motion smoother, and Resolution Mode as a way to get higher graphic quality. Its general guidance does not promise a particular resolution or frame rate for either mode. A game’s actual options and results depend on that game, so consult its menu or official information for specifics.
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PlayStation’s [game-presets support page] puts the tradeoff this way: “Make motion in your game smoother with performance mode, or have higher graphic quality in resolution mode.”
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| Your priority or setup | Good starting point | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Smoother motion | Performance Mode | Whether the game offers it and how it behaves in that game. |
| Higher graphic quality | Resolution or Quality Mode | The game-specific visual difference; PlayStation’s general guidance does not quantify it. |
| 120 Hz output | The mode that supports the output you want | Both the game and display must support 120 Hz. |
| VRR display | Either mode, based on your preference | Display and game support, plus how VRR behaves in that mode. |
If a game lets you switch modes, compare them in the scenes you actually play. That is a practical way to apply the stated tradeoff; it is not a guarantee that one mode will look or feel better to everyone.
#1 Best Overall
- Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback
- Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone and connect a headset directly through the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
- Play on more devices using the USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth to connect easily to Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones as well as your PlayStation 5
How to set a PS5 game preset
- From the PS5 home screen, open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets.
- Choose Performance Mode or Resolution Mode as your preferred preset.
- Check the individual game’s settings. The preset only affects games that offer these modes, and PlayStation notes that some settings may not apply to every game.
Does Performance Mode mean 120 fps?
No. The mode name alone does not establish a frame rate. The PS5’s 120 Hz output setting enables 120 Hz for games and TVs that support that rate; it does not make every Performance Mode run at 120 fps. PlayStation’s [resolution and output guidance] explains the console’s 120 Hz setting and display checks.
You do not need a 120 Hz display simply to choose between Performance and Resolution modes. A compatible 120 Hz display matters if you want to use 120 Hz output in a game that supports it.
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.
How VRR, 1440p, and ALLM fit in
VRR
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is a separate feature that synchronizes a compatible display’s refresh rate with PS5 graphical output. PlayStation says the result varies by TV, game, and selected visual mode. It is not a substitute for choosing the mode that suits your preference. See [PlayStation’s VRR announcement] for its explanation of the feature and this caveat.
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PS5 settings can show information about the connected HDMI device, including resolution, VRR, and HDR. A compatible 1440p display can be tested for SDR or HDR output at 60 Hz or 120 Hz, as well as VRR. These checks help establish what the display supports; they do not specify what a particular game’s modes render at.
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.
ALLM and HDMI
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) is available on compatible TVs and may appear as “Game Mode” in the TV’s settings. PlayStation recommends the HDMI cable included with the PS5; it also lists an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable supporting HDMI 2.1 as an alternative for ALLM and recommends using an HDMI 2.1 port when the TV has one. This is a compatibility note, not a reason to replace a working cable automatically. Details are in PlayStation’s [PS5 output guidance] and [ALLM instructions].
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
Rank #4
- 👉️【Usage Notes】When using the gamepad for the first time, it needs to be connected to the PS5 console via a USB-C cable（It must be the data cable included in the package or the original data cable）, and then press the Home button to activate it. If your controller has any functional issues, please use this url to update the firmware: we.tl/t-yAwofXJL9YOyyq3K !!! The gamepad is only compatible with PS5 series consoles and Windows PCs, and it is not compatible with PS4.
- 👋【Quick Connection & One - click Wake - up】 You can connect to the PS5 console by pressing the HOME button on the controller. When connecting to the console for the first time, you need to use a data cable. It also supports use on computers with Windows operating systems.
- 🎮️【Controller with Sound】 The controller is capable of producing sound, providing an immersive gaming experience. Please note that the controller is only equipped with a speaker and has no microphone. If you want to use the microphone fuacnction, please use an external headset. It is equipped with a 3.5mm TRRS headphone jack（not compatible with Apple headphones.）
- 🌈【Customizable Colors】Press the Lighting button to switch colors and light effect modes with one click. It features a color memory function, ensuring that the next time you use it, it will still be the color you prefer.
- 🕹️【High - Precision Joysticks】Equipped with upgraded joysticks, these effectively reduce the joystick dead zone and extend the controller's service life.
What to check when the options are missing
- The game may not offer both modes. Presets only apply to games that provide them; check the game’s own settings or official documentation.
- A display feature may require compatible equipment. For 120 Hz, both the game and display must support it. For VRR and ALLM, check compatibility and the TV’s available settings.
- Do not infer a game’s resolution or frame rate from the preset label. PlayStation’s general description is qualitative; game-specific details need to come from the game’s official information.
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