PlatformsPlayStationPS5PS5 ProThe PS5 Pro might finally kill off performance mode, and the PC player in me is ecstaticWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
PlatformsPlayStationPS5PS5 ProThe PS5 Pro might finally kill off performance mode, and the PC player in me is ecstaticWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sony)
The PS5 Pro is now officially a thing, and the upcoming PlayStation 5 revamp might finally solve my console performance woes. Since the OG system arrived back in 2020, players have had to choose between resolution and frame rate in many games, but the new system on the block will hopefully send performance and fidelity mode packing.
Out of all the reasons to grab aPS5 Pro pre-order, not having to pick between boosting fps or playing at 4K is the biggest. Naturally, I’ll have to get my hands on the juiced-up model to see if it can pull off 4K 60fps across the board, but considering itsAMDGPU boasts 67% more Compute Units and 13% faster RAM, I’d be surprised if it can’t rival mid-rangegraphics cards. That heavily appeals to my PC gaming side, especially since it opens the door to visual versatility.
Do I think everyone will benefit from owning a PS5 Pro? Absolutely not, as there are bound to be players who aren’t that fussed about higher frame rates at 4K or embracing better ray tracing in adventures like Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part 2. However, if you are pining for an experience that doesn’t make you choose between frame rates and resolution, or you’re just looking for a living room experience that can keep up with your rig,Sonypotentially has you covered.
Bringing balance to the console force
(Image credit: Sony)
Don’t get me wrong, I’m known for hanging around in PC game settings menus trying to strike that perfect performance balance. That said, it’s the last thing I want to be doing when I throw myself onto the sofa after a long day. It’s the reason why I was quite happy to play Final Fantasy 16 on the console rather than waiting for a Steam port, but Sony’s original system was still hellbent on having me make graphical decisions.
Yes, it’s just a toggle, and one that will provide you with a “which is better, one or two?” optometrist-style way of choosing between resolution and frame rate. The thing is, knowing I can either play at 4K or 60fps is a massive distraction that initially pulled me out ofSquare Enix’s Kaiju RPG romp, leaving me wishing the PS5 could just pull off an optimal experience.
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Like it or not, AI upscaling is key
(Image credit: Sony)
In a perfect world, the PS5 Pro would be able to pull off 4K 60fps without breaking a sweat. The main issue here is that more and more developers are now throwing fancy graphical features like ray tracing into the mix, which in turn, places a heavier burden on GPU performance. That might have you thinking you’ll need to wait for the PS6, but Sony has decided instead to follow in the footsteps of the PC scene and dive head-first into AI upscaling.
Dubbed PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, the PS5 Pro is kitted out with custom hardware that can use AI to upscale lower resolutions before they reach yourgaming TVormonitor. If reviewingNvidiaand AMD graphics cards has taught me anything, it’s that upscaling can feel like performance magic if done correctly, and PSSR will be there to lend a helping hand when the Pro’s new GPU wants to pull off 4K60 with no settings compromise.
The key phrase above is that upscaling canfeellike magic. In reality, dynamic upscaling is more of a slight hand trick, designed to use lower-resolution textures without you noticing. I’ve spent a lot of time with both DLSS and AMD FSR, and while I can never really tell when they’re switched on at a glance, artifacts can occasionally give the game away. Therefore, I’d expect a similar situation with PSSR, so don’t get your hopes up for a performance miracle.
Fresh refresh rates could be on the menu
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
Bear with me as I’m about to play Devil’s Advocate with performance mode. Yes, I’d love to see the concept return to its home planet. However, I do think it could be valuable when it comes to reaching higher refresh rates, and I’m sure many Overwatch 2 players out there would happily still use 1440p if it meant reaching 144Hz. Plenty of new TVs are now kitted out with native support, like the Hisense U7N and the premiumLGOLED G4, and it’d be a shame if the PS5 Pro neglected to take full advantage of those specs.
I’ll be keeping an eye on the PS5 Pro refresh rate situation, and I’m sure we’ll hear more about that side of things once the dust settles. For now, I’ll be happy if the choice between performance and fidelity mode creeps back into the dark. With any luck, it’ll hopefully also stay there thanks to PSSR, in turn protecting future me from having to make decisions when using the PS6.
I can barely decide what I want for dinner most nights, so I’ll be glad to see the back of performance mode.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
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1
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”