October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

PS5 QSSR Settings: How to Choose Between Image Quality and Performance Modes

Performance and Resolution are game presets; Enhance PSSR Image Quality is a separate PS5 Pro setting. Here’s how to choose and where to find each.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If you mean PlayStation’s upscaling technology, Sony calls it PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution), not QSSR. For the game preset, choose Performance Mode when smoother motion matters most or Resolution Mode when graphic quality matters most. On PS5 Pro, Enhance PSSR Image Quality is a separate system setting; it does not replace either preset or guarantee a higher frame rate.

What the PS5 settings actually control

There are two different choices that are easy to conflate. Performance Mode and Resolution Mode are game presets. Sony describes Performance Mode as prioritizing smoother motion and Resolution Mode as prioritizing higher graphic quality. A game must offer these modes for the console’s default preset to affect it, and some games may not honor every preset setting.

Enhance PSSR Image Quality is a separate PS5 Pro system toggle for certain games that support PSSR. Sony says PSSR upscales game visuals; the upgraded version is intended to improve image stability and fine-detail clarity while helping maintain performance. Developers choose how to balance fidelity and performance in each game, so PSSR is not a universal replacement for the game’s mode selection and its effect varies by title. Sony’s March 16, 2026 announcement describes the upgraded technology and named game implementations.

How to choose between Performance and Resolution

Choose Best fit What to expect
Performance Mode You value smoother motion and responsiveness most. The game prioritizes its performance-oriented presentation. The exact frame rate and visual trade-offs depend on the game; Sony’s general preset guidance does not establish universal figures.
Resolution Mode You value higher graphic quality most. The game prioritizes its quality-oriented presentation. The resolution and any effect on motion depend on the game’s implementation.

There is no universal winner. If a game offers both, try the preset that matches what you notice most during play, then compare the actual result in that game. Sony’s general guidance describes the priorities, not title-by-title performance benchmarks.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
PlayStation®5 Digital Edition (slim)
  • Model Number CFI-2000
  • Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)
  • Vertical Stand sold seperately

Set a default game preset

  1. On the PS5, open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets.
  2. Select Performance Mode or Resolution Mode.
  3. Launch a game that offers those modes and check its in-game settings or presentation. If the game does not provide the modes, it may not use the console preset.

Sony’s PS5 game-presets instructions note that the settings apply to PS5 games, but only games offering the relevant modes will honor the choice and some settings may not apply to every game.

Find the separate PSSR image-quality toggle

On a compatible PS5 Pro, go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Enhance PSSR Image Quality. Sony says this setting is on by default and can be turned off if needed. It is available only on consoles in the CFI-7000 model group; it is not a setting available on every PS5.

Rank #2
PS5 - Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Gaming Console + Wireless Controller - 16GB GDDR6 RAM, 825GB SSD, 120Hz 8K Output, White
  • CPU: x86-64-AMD Ryzen Zen 8 Cores / 16 Threads at 3.5GHz.GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine.
  • 16GB GDDR6/256-bit Memory; 825GB SSD Storage Capacity
  • Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
  • HDR technology, 8K output,4K TV gaming, Up to 120 fps with 120Hz output, Tempest 3D AudioTech
  • What's Included: Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition; DualSense; USB cable, HDMI cable.

For a supported game, leave the toggle on initially. If you notice unexpected visual behavior, turn it off and compare the same scene again. This is a troubleshooting comparison, not a promise that disabling it improves every game. See Sony’s PS5 resolution and video-output guidance for the setting and console details.

Check game support before expecting an effect

PSSR support is title-specific, and support for the upgraded version can depend on a game update. Sony’s March 16, 2026 announcement said an update began rolling out broad support for upgraded PSSR, naming games including SILENT HILL 2, SILENT HILL f, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Control, Alan Wake 2, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Nioh 3, Rise of the Ronin, Monster Hunter Wilds, Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Resident Evil Requiem. Sony also said Crimson Desert would adopt upgraded PSSR at launch and that Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Cyberpunk 2077 would receive patches. The PS5 Pro product page lists enhanced PSSR support, but game support and patch status can change; check the title’s current information. Results vary by game.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sony Playstation 5 Disc Version PS5 Console - 4K-TV Gaming, 120Hz 8K Output, 16GB GDDR6, 825GB SSD, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 (Renewed) White
  • Enjoy smooth and fluid high frame rate gameplay at up to 120 fps for compatible games, with support for 120Hz output on 4K displays.
  • PS5 consoles support an 8K output, so you can play games on your 4320p resolution display.
  • Maximize your play sessions with near-instant load times for installed PS5 games.
  • 825GB SSD allows ultra-fast load times, while 3-D audio output produces crisp acoustics.
  • Explore uncharted virtual territories and slay dragons with this sleek Sony PlayStation 5 gaming console.

Developer comments are specific to their own implementations, not independent tests or guarantees. BioWare Technical Director Maciej Kurowski said the new PSSR improved image quality while maintaining stable frame rates in Fidelity and Performance modes. Remedy Graphics Technical Director Tatu Aalto described the upgraded PSSR as improving upscaling quality and stability. Those statements illustrate developer aims; they do not establish a fixed gain across supported games.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

When the display matters

A TV or monitor does not determine which game preset you should prefer, but it can affect which output features are available. Sony says 120 Hz output requires a compatible display and a game with 120 Hz frame-rate support. VRR likewise requires a VRR-compatible display and game. Neither feature is a prerequisite for choosing Performance Mode or Resolution Mode.

Rank #4
PlayStation®5 Digital Edition – 825GB
  • Slim Design, players get powerful gaming technology packed inside a sleek and compact console design.
  • 825GB of storage, keep your favorite games raeady and waiting for you to jump in and play
  • Ultra-High Speed SSD, maximize yoru play sessions with near instant load times for installed PS5 games
  • Integrated I/O, the custom integration of the PS5 console's systems lets creators pull datat from the SSD so quickly that they can design games in ways never before possible
  • Ray Tracing, immerse yourself in owrlds with a new level of realism as rays of light are individually simulated, creating true-to-life shadows and reflections in supported PS5 games

If a desired display feature is unavailable, check that the TV supports it and has current firmware, use the included PS5 HDMI cable or an Ultra-High-Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K 120 Hz, connect the console directly to the correct HDMI 2.1 port, and review the console’s video-output settings. Sony’s video-output support page covers resolution and connection troubleshooting.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
PlayStation®5 Digital Edition (slim)
PlayStation®5 Digital Edition (slim)
Model Number CFI-2000; Vertical Stand sold seperately
$589.00
Bestseller No. 2
PS5 - Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Gaming Console + Wireless Controller - 16GB GDDR6 RAM, 825GB SSD, 120Hz 8K Output, White
PS5 - Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Gaming Console + Wireless Controller - 16GB GDDR6 RAM, 825GB SSD, 120Hz 8K Output, White
16GB GDDR6/256-bit Memory; 825GB SSD Storage Capacity; Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
$696.20
Bestseller No. 3
Sony Playstation 5 Disc Version PS5 Console - 4K-TV Gaming, 120Hz 8K Output, 16GB GDDR6, 825GB SSD, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 (Renewed) White
Sony Playstation 5 Disc Version PS5 Console - 4K-TV Gaming, 120Hz 8K Output, 16GB GDDR6, 825GB SSD, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 (Renewed) White
PS5 consoles support an 8K output, so you can play games on your 4320p resolution display.
Bestseller No. 4
PlayStation®5 Digital Edition – 825GB
PlayStation®5 Digital Edition – 825GB
825GB of storage, keep your favorite games raeady and waiting for you to jump in and play

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.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How To Create Custom Stickers & Shoutouts In Monster Hunter WildsMonster Hunter WildsBlog20min
  2. How to Get XL Gogoat in Pokemon Legends Z-A (An Extra-Large Gogoat)Pokemon Legends Z-ABlog20min
  3. How to Get Rotting Lightbringer in Diablo 4Diablo 4Blog17min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.