Borderlands 3 cover art
PSFoundry Score
PS5
74
Good
2019·Gearbox Software

Borderlands 3 — PS5 & PS5 Pro performance

Technical analysis last updated

Performance overview

Borderlands 3 delivers a substantial generational jump on PS5 compared to PS4 Pro. While PS4 Pro struggled to maintain 30fps at 1800p and had unstable frame rates in its performance mode, PS5 provides a crisp 4K 60fps Resolution Mode and a high-refresh 1080p 120Hz Performance Mode. Resolution Mode is the recommended experience, featuring improved shadow quality and foliage density over last-gen while maintaining a mostly solid 60fps, barring drops during heavy alpha effects. The 120Hz mode offers lower latency but drops to 80fps during intense combat, compounded by PS5's lack of system-level VRR support at launch.

Graphics modes on PlayStation 5

74
Good
Editorial evidenceSource-based Verified build
Last checked
2026-07-27
Build covered
Unknown
Cited sources
3
Coverage
2/2 modes fully documented
Editorial summary

PS5 provides a major upgrade over last-gen with enhanced foliage, shadows, and significantly faster load times. The 4K60 Resolution Mode offers the best balance, maintaining near-4K image quality with minor drops to the 50s during heavy action, while the 120Hz mode suffers from frame drops down to 80fps in intense scenes.

Resolution Mode

PS5Unverified
PSFoundry pick
Target FPS
60
Typical FPS
50–60
Output
4K
Internal
2016p–2160p dynamic
Average not measured

Runs at native 4K with dynamic resolution scaling dropping to 2016p minimum. Features superior foliage density, dynamic shadows, and shadow draw distance compared to PS4 Pro.

Performance Mode

PS5Unverified
Target FPS
120
Typical FPS
80–120
Output
1080p
Internal
810p–1080p dynamic
Average not measured
120 Hz output supported

Targets native 1080p output with dynamic resolution scaling reaching as low as 1440x810 in cutscenes.

PS5 vs PS5 Pro

Side-by-side comparison of graphics modes, resolution and technical features.

Not verified
Cross-console comparison not available

A side-by-side comparison requires verified graphics-mode data on both PS5 and PS5 Pro. It appears here as soon as both versions are analysed.

Known issues

Cutscenes locked to 30fps
minor

Cutscenes remain capped at 30fps across all modes rather than matching gameplay frame rates.

Status: ActiveType: performancePlatform: PS5
Framerate instability in heavy combat and alpha-heavy scenes
moderate

Lavish alpha transparencies and intense vehicle combat on Promethea cause drops into the 50s in Resolution Mode and down to 80fps in Performance Mode.

Status: ActiveType: performancePlatform: PS5

Video analysis

Independent technical videos referenced in our analysis.

Borderlands 3 Tech Analysis: PS4 Pro vs Xbox One X ...
YouTube
YouTube

Borderlands 3 Tech Analysis: PS4 Pro vs Xbox One X Graphics Comparison! · Comments.

Borderlands 3 PC: The Best Settings For 'Bang For the Buck ...
YouTube
YouTube

I think in general the settings menu is really good the only problem is kind of scalability you you about four to five key settings that you'll want to change.

Borderlands 4 on Xbox Series S is better in 1 way vs. Series X ...
YouTube
YouTube

Let's compare Borderlands 4 on Xbox Series S versus Series X versus the base PS5 versus PS5 Pro.

Borderlands 3 - PS5 Performance vs Resolution graphics ...
YouTube
YouTube

Howdy! I was messing around with graphics settings in Borderlands 3, specifically Performance and Resolution mode.

Borderlands 3 PS5 vs Xbox Series X: 4K60 and 120fps Modes ...
YouTube
YouTube

Everything there is to know about Borderlands 3's new PS5 and Xbox Series X support. Hitting 4K and 60 frames per second is the priority for ...

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands: PS5 vs Xbox Series X/S Tested - A ...
YouTube
YouTube

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands: PS5 vs Xbox Series X/S Tested - A Tech Evolution Over Borderlands 3? @DigitalFoundry4.6K likes167K views4 years ago

External links open in a new tab. PSFoundry is not affiliated with the linked publications.

Sources and verification

Every technical claim on this page is attributed. Nothing is estimated.

PSFoundry is primarily a source-based database. A game is only marked as personally tested when PSFoundry has directly tested it. All other technical information is attributed to its original source.

  • UnverifiedDigital Foundry evaluates the PlayStation 5 upgrade for Borderlands 3, comparing it against PS4 Pro and Xbox Series consoles. The PS5 version features a Resolution Mode targeting 4K60 and a PerformancDigital Foundry2020-12-01

    Digital Foundry evaluates the PlayStation 5 upgrade for Borderlands 3, comparing it against PS4 Pro and Xbox Series consoles. The PS5 version features a Resolution Mode targeting 4K60 and a Performance Mode targeting 1080p120, alongside improved shadows, foliage density, and faster loading times.

    Open source
  • UnverifiedInitial technical examination of Borderlands 3 on PS4 Pro shows two visual modes offering 1800p and 1080p options. While visual features like texture filtering and foliage density edge ahead of Xbox ODigital Foundry2019-09-15

    Initial technical examination of Borderlands 3 on PS4 Pro shows two visual modes offering 1800p and 1080p options. While visual features like texture filtering and foliage density edge ahead of Xbox One X, frame-rate performance is flawed in both modes, suffering severe drops during combat.

    Open source
  • UnverifiedDigital Foundry technical breakdown of Borderlands 3 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro, analyzing resolution, frame rates, and menu performance.Digital Foundry2019-09-17

    Digital Foundry technical breakdown of Borderlands 3 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro, analyzing resolution, frame rates, and menu performance.

    Open source

Frequently asked

Answers built from the verified data on this page.

What frame rate does Borderlands 3 run at on PS5?

On PS5, Borderlands 3 offers 2 graphics modes: Resolution Mode targets 60 FPS at 4K; Performance Mode targets 120 FPS at 1080p.

Does Borderlands 3 support 120 Hz on PlayStation?

Yes. Performance Mode on PS5 runs with 120 Hz output on a compatible display.

What is the PSFoundry Score of Borderlands 3?

Borderlands 3 scores 74/100 on PS5. The PSFoundry Score measures technical performance only — frame rate, image quality, graphics modes, visual features, responsiveness, loading and stability — not how good the game is.

Patch history

Only updates that changed graphics modes, resolution, frame rate or visual features.

Not verified
No graphics-related patches logged

We only log updates with a documented effect on graphics modes, resolution, frame rate or visual features. None have been verified for this title yet.

The players' verdict

Recent player impressions of how the game runs on PS5 and PS5 Pro.

Not verified
No player impressions collected yet

We publish player impressions from Reddit, ResetEra and specialist forums only when they discuss how the game actually runs. They never affect the PSFoundry Score.

Related analyses

Other analysed games close to Borderlands 3.

Browse the full PlayStation performance database or the PS5 Pro Enhanced games list.