Key Takeaways
1. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is intended to reduce screen tearing but some PS5 players are experiencing stuttering issues.
2. Locked frame rates (30 or 60 fps) make framerate changes more noticeable, and VRR aims to provide smooth gameplay even at 120Hz.
3. Digital Foundry found that stuttering occurs in some PS5 games after about 20 minutes of play, with spikes reaching 120Hz.
4. The stuttering issue is not linked to specific TVs and affects certain PS5 games like Diablo 4 and Hogwarts Legacy, while others like Immortals of Aveum and Gran Turismo 7 are unaffected.
5. The Xbox Series X shows no VRR problems in similar tests, leading to questions about whether the issue affects only certain PS5 systems or if players are not noticing the changes.
One of the perks of the latest gaming consoles is their use of Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). The Xbox Series X, PS5, and PS5 Pro all utilize this feature to reduce screen tearing. Lately, some PlayStation players have started to notice stuttering that VRR is supposed to fix. To investigate the issue, Digital Foundry conducted a study testing various PS5 games and displays.
Locked Frame Rates
When games are locked at 30 or 60 fps, any changes in the framerate can be quite noticeable to players. VRR helps maintain smooth gameplay across a range of framerates, even at settings of 120Hz. Sadly, Digital Foundry found that some PS5 games experienced choppiness after around 20 minutes of play. Their analysis, using a refresh rate monitor, detected spikes reaching up to 120Hz. Once the stuttering started, it occurred roughly every eight seconds.
Gamer Confusion
Players have reported this issue while playing different games on a variety of TVs, leading to more confusion. Digital Foundry concluded that the likely cause is the PlayStation consoles and how they implement VRR. The stuttering doesn’t seem to be tied to specific displays. However, not every PS5 game is impacted. While Diablo 4 and Hogwarts Legacy showed stutters, Immortals of Aveum and Gran Turismo 7 did not.
Xbox Comparison
In tests with the same multi-platform games and setups, the Xbox Series X appears unaffected by the VRR problems. However, some PlayStation users argue that there isn’t a problem at all. This raises the question of whether VRR issues only affect certain PS5 or PS5 Pro systems, or if players are simply unable to notice the sudden changes in refresh rates.
Currently, the only way to fix the stuttering is to turn off VRR or restart the game. Nonetheless, this thorough analysis should help Sony with their troubleshooting efforts.
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