Choose Performance Mode if smoother motion matters most; choose Resolution Mode—often labeled Quality Mode in a game—if higher graphic quality matters more. The tradeoff is specific to each game: neither label guarantees a particular resolution or frame rate. PlayStation describes the priorities as smoother motion versus higher graphic quality on its PS5 game-presets support page.
What the two modes actually mean
Performance and Resolution are priorities, not universal technical specifications. PlayStation’s general description does not promise that Performance Mode always reaches a certain frame rate or that Resolution Mode always uses a particular resolution. A game may use different rendering targets, options, or labels, and those details can vary by title and change with patches.
Check the individual game’s graphics menu or official documentation for the choices it offers. PlayStation’s console preset affects only PS5 games that offer these modes, and some preset settings may not apply to every game.
Which mode should you choose?
| Your priority or setup | Suggested starting point | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Smoother motion | Performance Mode | Whether the game supports it and how it behaves in that game. |
| Higher graphic quality | Resolution Mode, often called Quality Mode | The game-specific visual difference; PlayStation’s general guidance does not quantify it. |
| You want 120 Hz output | Whichever mode supports the output you want | Both the game and display must support 120 Hz. Performance Mode does not automatically mean 120 fps. |
| You use VRR | Either mode, based on your preference | Display and game compatibility, plus how VRR behaves with the selected mode. |
If a game lets you switch modes, compare them in the scenes you play most. This is a practical way to decide based on PlayStation’s stated tradeoff, not a promise that one mode is better in every game.
#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
Does Performance Mode mean 120 fps?
No. Performance Mode is a general preference for smoother motion, not a guarantee of 120 frames per second. PS5’s 120 Hz Output setting enables 120 Hz for compatible displays and games; both the game and the display need to support that output. See PlayStation’s guidance on changing PS5 resolution and display output for the console’s display settings.
You do not need a 120 Hz TV or monitor just to choose between Performance and Resolution modes. A compatible 120 Hz display matters only 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 to set a preferred mode on PS5
- Open Settings.
- Go to Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Choose Game Presets.
- Select Performance Mode or Resolution Mode as your preferred preset.
This sets a preference in advance; it does not add modes to games that do not offer them, and a game may not apply the preset in every case.
How VRR, 1440p, and ALLM fit in
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
On compatible equipment, VRR synchronizes a display’s refresh rate with PS5’s graphical output. It is a separate display feature, not another name for Performance Mode. PlayStation says the results vary by TV, game, and selected visual mode; see its VRR support announcement.
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.
Checking your connected display
PS5 can show information about the connected HDMI device, including resolution, VRR, and HDR. A compatible 1440p display can also be tested for SDR and HDR output at 60 Hz or 120 Hz, as well as VRR. These checks tell you about display compatibility; they do not determine which game mode you will prefer.
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
ALLM is available on compatible TVs and may appear as Game Mode in the TV’s settings. PlayStation’s PS5 features page describes these display features. For ALLM, PlayStation recommends the HDMI cable included with the console or an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable supporting HDMI 2.1, and recommends using an HDMI 2.1 port when the TV has one. That is a compatibility note, not a reason to buy another cable automatically.
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.
Do you need a different HDMI cable?
Usually, do not start by buying a cable: PlayStation recommends using the HDMI cable included with the PS5. Its guidance describes an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable supporting HDMI 2.1 as an alternative for ALLM and recommends an HDMI 2.1 port when available. Consider another cable only if your current connection or equipment requires it.
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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