There is no single frame rate for every PS5 game at 4K. The console supports 4K 120 Hz video output, but a game reaches 120 FPS only if that title offers a suitable high-frame-rate mode and the connected display supports the signal. Resolution and frame rate are separate: a 4K output setting does not guarantee that a game renders at native 4K or runs at 120 FPS.
What 4K and 120 Hz mean on PS5
4K describes image resolution; FPS describes how many frames a game renders per second. Hz describes how often a display can refresh. Sony says the PS5 supports HDMI 2.1 specifications and 4K 120 Hz video output, but that is a console output capability—not a promise that every game renders 120 frames per second. Sony specifies that 120 Hz output requires a compatible TV and a game that supports a 120 Hz frame rate (Sony’s 120 Hz support guidance; PS5 4K and HDMI guidance).
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Games may target different frame rates, and their behavior can vary by graphics mode, game version, and scene. A 4K signal shown by the console also does not establish that the game internally renders every frame at native 4K; a game may use a different rendering resolution and still output a 4K signal.
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Where a game offers graphics presets, Performance Mode generally prioritizes smoother motion, while Resolution Mode prioritizes graphic quality. Sony describes these as options available only in games that support them; the names do not guarantee a particular FPS or rendering resolution (Sony’s PS5 game presets guidance).
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- 165Hz refresh rate and near-instant 1ms response time (GtG) minimizes lag for ultra-smooth gameplay.
Sony’s published examples illustrate why the game and mode matter:
| Game and mode | Sony’s stated target |
|---|---|
| DOOM Eternal: Balanced | 4K visuals targeting 60 FPS |
| DOOM Eternal: Ray tracing | Targeting 60 FPS |
| DOOM Eternal: 120 FPS mode | Targeting 120 FPS |
| Rainbow Six Siege: Performance | Targeting 120 FPS |
| Rainbow Six Siege: Resolution | 4K visuals targeting 60 FPS |
These are game-specific mode targets published by PlayStation, not independent measurements of sustained performance in every scene. They should not be generalized to other games (PlayStation’s 120 FPS game examples).
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How to check or enable 120 Hz output
- Confirm that your TV or monitor supports the resolution and refresh rate you want, and check whether the game itself offers a 120 Hz mode.
- On the PS5, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Review the connected HDMI device’s capabilities and the current output signal.
- In the same Video Output area, enable 120 Hz Output if needed. This setting applies only when the connected display and game support 120 Hz.
Sony recommends using the HDMI 2.1 cable included with the PS5 for high-performance features. If the console cannot produce the expected signal, check the HDMI connection and, during troubleshooting, connect the console directly to the display. A cable can affect whether a signal is carried reliably; it cannot raise the FPS a game renders (Sony’s PS5 4K and HDMI guidance).
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What VRR can—and cannot—do
With a compatible display, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) can synchronize the screen’s refresh rate with the console’s graphical output, which can make changing frame rates look smoother. Its results depend on the display and game. VRR does not make a game render at a fixed FPS or turn a 60 FPS mode into a 120 FPS mode (Sony’s 120 Hz and VRR support guidance).
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What to check when comparing PS5 games
- Frame-rate target: Look for the target or cap stated for the specific game’s mode—such as 30, 60, or 120 FPS. Do not infer it from a 4K label.
- Resolution: Check whether the game describes its rendering resolution as native, dynamic, or upscaled. A 4K output signal alone does not tell you how the game renders internally.
- Mode trade-offs: Read the game’s current mode descriptions rather than assuming Performance always means 120 FPS or Resolution always means native 4K.
- Display support: Verify that the screen supports the intended resolution and refresh rate, along with any HDMI or VRR features you plan to use.
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