PS5 Pro graphics modes and display requirements
Evidence checked 2026-10-29. Game Informer's October 28 PS5 Pro test describes Quality as native 4K at 30 FPS, Balanced as upscaled/checkerboarded 4K at 40 FPS, and Performance as upscaled ‘2K’ at 60 FPS. These are the article's mode descriptions, not our independent measurements or guaranteed frame-rate locks. Balanced is Pro-only, and the article specifies a 120Hz TV with VRR for its recommendation. Do not apply these Pro results to the standard PS5.
Choosing a mode without overstating ray tracing
Game Informer's preference for Performance is a useful starting point if you prioritize fluid combat; its Balanced recommendation depends on both PS5 Pro and the stated display support. The author reported no noticeable performance change when toggling ray tracing across the three Pro modes. That observation is not a frame-time analysis proving ray tracing has zero cost. The source's ‘2K’ label is retained rather than converted into an unverified internal rendering resolution.
PC targets are not universal benchmark results
The official August 12 requirements target 1080p/30 FPS at minimum and 1440p/60 FPS at recommended specifications, both with upscaling enabled. Minimum lists i7-8700K/R5 3600, GTX 1660 6GB/RX 5500 XT 8GB, 16GB RAM and SSD; recommended lists i5-10600K/R5 5600X, RTX 3060 Ti 8GB/RX 6700 XT 12GB, 16GB RAM and SSD. IGN's October 26 PC review still reports sustained drops in one map and collision issues. Available evidence does not justify universal best settings, GPU rankings or a claim those problems are fixed.
Before comparing PC performance
Use the dated PC launch-update instructions on the system-requirements page before comparing settings. The developer’s 2026-10-28 Steam letter is the source for the patch and NVIDIA advice already recorded there; it is not a benchmark proving that IGN’s earlier map-specific drops were fixed. Record your game build, driver, GPU, resolution, upscaling and ray/path-tracing settings, then compare the same route before changing another variable. This is a suggested diagnostic method, not a tested optimal preset. PS5 Pro mode observations cannot establish a PC driver effect.
Patch 1.0302256 — official website November 3; Steam November 4, 2026
PC patch 1.0302256 changes shader compilation to shorten startup: ray tracing shaders are no longer compiled by default. If Ray Tracing was disabled before the patch, the first launch requires a short, one-time shader recompilation; if it was enabled, no recompilation is required before playing. Enabling Ray Tracing later compiles its shaders separately on the next restart. The notes also report performance improvements in certain areas, less Bluetooth-controller stuttering, and NVIDIA Reflex working on “Auto” with V-Sync enabled. These are developer claims, not our benchmark results or a new driver recommendation.
Patch 1.0302256 — official website November 3; Steam November 4, 2026
Patch 1.0302256 fixes progression blockers, environmental situations that could leave the player stuck, cutscene and visual issues, combat bugs, and incorrect hair rendering on certain AMD cards with specific driver versions. Some third-party mods are incompatible with the update; if problems appear after updating, the developer advises removing installed mods. Report persistent problems through the official support page. The notes do not name a newly recommended AMD driver.
SOURCE LINKS
Sources
Sources for this page include game announcements, store listings and independent reporting. Publication names and dates help distinguish official information from reported observations.