For most players on the base PS5, start with Performance: it favors smoother motion and targets 60 fps. Choose Fidelity with ray tracing instead if ray-traced visuals matter more to you than frame rate; the quality-mode path targets 30 fps. Neither is a universal winner—the right choice depends on your console, display, and preference.
How the PS5 graphics modes differ
WB Games describes the modes in terms of their priorities. Its stated frame-rate figures are targets or caps, not a promise that every scene will hold a fixed frame rate.
| Mode | What it prioritizes | Frame-rate and ray-tracing notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | Higher-fidelity rendering, with emphasis on resolution and graphics quality. | Fidelity targets 30 fps, according to WB Games and Bethesda. Ray tracing is associated with the separate Fidelity with ray tracing option. WB Games support; Bethesda Support. |
| Fidelity with ray tracing | Higher-fidelity presentation with ray tracing. | Part of the quality-mode path described by Bethesda as capped at 30 FPS. Changing to this option requires a reboot to apply. WB Games support; Bethesda Support. |
| Performance | Higher frame rate and smoother motion. | Targets 60 fps; Bethesda says its capped Performance mode does not support ray tracing. WB Games support; Bethesda Support. |
| Balanced | Aims to balance resolution, graphics quality, and performance. | Available only with supported output devices. WB Games support. |
| HFR Performance | Ultra-high frame rate, favoring maximum performance. | Available only with supported output devices. Bethesda says this variant removes the 60 FPS cap; frame rate can vary and screen tearing may occur. WB Games support; Bethesda Support. |
| HFR Quality | Uncapped version of the ray-tracing-supported quality mode, as described by Bethesda. | Frame rate can vary and screen tearing may occur. Bethesda also lists VSync versions of HFR Quality and HFR Performance. Treat these as options for compatible setups, not default choices for every display. Bethesda Support. |
WB Games says the PS5 graphics modes support VRR-compatible TVs or monitors. Balanced and HFR options have additional output-device requirements, so their availability depends on the display setup.
Which mode should you choose?
Choose Performance for smoother motion
Performance is the straightforward starting point if you value responsiveness and fluid movement over ray-traced effects. The official target is 60 fps, compared with the 30 fps target for Fidelity. It is also the better fit if you do not want the game’s capped mode to disable ray tracing as the price of that higher frame-rate target.
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- EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD. The wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.
- BE THE WITCH OR WIZARD YOU WANT TO BE. Learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be.
- EXPERIENCE A NEW WIZARDING WORLD ADVENTURE. Experience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world.
- Import Region Free PEGI Version
Choose Fidelity with ray tracing for visual features
If ray tracing and a higher-fidelity presentation matter more to you, select Fidelity with ray tracing and accept the quality-mode 30 fps target or cap described by support. The setting requires a reboot before it takes effect.
Consider HFR only with a supported setup
If your output device supports the relevant high-frame-rate mode and your priority is maximum frame rate, HFR Performance is an option. Its uncapped behavior can produce varying frame rates or screen tearing, so it is not automatically preferable to the more predictable Performance target.
Rank #2
- EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD. The wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.
- BE THE WITCH OR WIZARD YOU WANT TO BE. Learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be.
- EXPERIENCE A NEW WIZARDING WORLD ADVENTURE. Experience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world.
- The Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition includes Thestral Mount, Dark Arts Battle Arena, Dark Arts Cosmetic Set, and 72 Hours Early Access.
- Preorder Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition and receive the Onyx Hippogriff Mount. Content will be delivered as a packed in code with game.
What changes on PS5 Pro?
A PS5 Pro update dated November 4, 2024 improved and optimized visuals and performance across modes. WB Games says Pro modes gain sharpness through PSSR compared with base PS5, and notes these mode-specific changes:
- Fidelity: a higher dynamic-resolution target than on base PS5.
- Fidelity with ray tracing: a higher dynamic-resolution target, sharper ray-traced reflections throughout the game, ray-traced reflections on bodies of water, and realistic ray-traced shadows.
- Performance: a higher dynamic-resolution target, greater view-distance quality, and improved foliage, rock, and structure quality.
These are Pro-specific updates; they should not be read as improvements to the base PS5 modes. They also do not establish that one mode is best for every Pro owner or display. See WB Games’ PS5 and PS5 Pro mode notes.
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Rank #3
- Fight to save your world. Save your sister. Save your soul.
- Fight for everything. Legends are born from trials.
- Epic weaponry, collect a diverse array of melee weapons and define your playstyle with stylish, effective combat.
- Stunning worlds to explore. Prepare to adventure far and wide across dangerous dimensions, majestic lands and strange new worlds.
Set the mode and fix a setting that keeps resetting
- On PS5, open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets.
- Set Performance or Resolution Mode to Game Default. WB Games identifies a conflict with this console preset as a possible reason the game resets its selected mode.
- Open Hogwarts Legacy, go to Display Options, and choose the graphics mode you want.
- If you selected Fidelity with ray tracing, allow the game to reboot so the change can apply.
WB Games’ support instructions cover the mode setting and the Game Presets conflict.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD. The wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.
- BE THE WITCH OR WIZARD YOU WANT TO BE. Learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be.
- EXPERIENCE A NEW WIZARDING WORLD ADVENTURE. Experience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the international version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions. DLC content may not work unless using an EU Playstation account as stated this is an EU Import Region Free Version
Rank #4
- Play as your favorite character to defend the wizarding world from evil forces: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom
- Gain influence to master powerful spells, recruit allies, and uncover magical items
- Enhance your abilities with over 140 cards
- 7 successive game adventures offer increasing difficulty: as you advance through games 1-7 of Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle, you will reveal progressively more challenging adventures and unlock new secrets on your journey to save Hogwarts from the Dark Lord!
- Includes: 252 cards, 4 dice, 7 game boxes, 7 game rules, 4 player boards, 8 villain control tokens, and 70 chip pieces.Perfect for 2-4 players
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