Starfield
Starfield's PlayStation debut presents mixed technical results across hardware. Base PS5 delivers a solid 30fps in Quality mode (~1440p internal) with improved draw distances and shadows, whereas its 60fps Performance mode (~1080p internal) suffers severe drops into the 30s in major cities. PS5 Pro provides superior image density via an 1800p Enhanced mode (30fps or 40fps in 120Hz), but its 60fps mode drops internal resolution to 900p and exhibits noticeable first-gen PSSR artifacts like flickering and noise. Frequent crashes on both consoles prevent either version from offering an unblemished experience. Quality/Enhanced modes are recommended over performance options.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5 Pro
PS5 Pro provides an upgraded 1800p Enhanced mode with better visual settings at 30fps or 40fps, alongside a 60fps Performance mode running at 900p internal resolution. However, first-gen PSSR creates flickering and noise artifacts, while frequent lock-up crashes afflict the title.
Features an exclusive Enhanced mode with 1800p internal resolution, improved cube maps, shadow resolution, foliage, and draw distances. Supports PSSR upscaling and 120Hz/40fps display modes.
Performance Mode
PS5 ProInternal resolution dips to ~900p. First-gen PSSR causes noticeable flickering, breakup, and noise in motion.
Enhanced Mode (40 FPS)
PS5 ProRuns Enhanced visual settings at 1800p internal resolution within a 120Hz display container.
Enhanced Mode
PS5 ProPushes internal resolution to 1800p with enhanced cube maps, shadow resolution, foliage density, and draw distances.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5
Base PS5 offers 60fps Performance (~1080p internal) and 30fps Quality (~1440p internal) modes. Quality mode holds its 30fps target consistently, whereas Performance mode drops heavily into the 30s in major cities like New Atlantis. Recurring crashes lock up the console across modes.
Quality Mode
PS5Runs at ~1440p internal resolution with longer draw distances, improved shadow resolution, and higher terrain detail.
Performance Mode
PS5Runs at around 1080p internal resolution with variable rate shading (VRS) applied.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro
Side-by-side comparison of graphics modes, resolution and technical features.
PS5 Pro offers an upgraded 1800p Enhanced mode with higher graphical fidelity and 40fps/120Hz support. However, Performance mode lowers internal resolution to 900p, PSSR introduces motion artifacts, and frequent crashes persist across both console variants.
| Metric | PS5 | PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 70Good | 78Good |
| Recommended mode | Quality Mode | Enhanced Mode |
| Modes available | 2 | 3 |
| Peak target FPS | 60 | 60 |
| PSSR | No | Yes |
| Ray tracing | No | No |
| VRR | Yes | Yes |
| 120 Hz support | No | Yes |
| PS5 Pro Enhanced | No | Yes |
- Performance Score
- 70Good
- Recommended mode
- Quality Mode
- Modes available
- 2
- Peak target FPS
- 60
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- No
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- No
- Performance Score
- 78Good
- Recommended mode
- Enhanced Mode
- Modes available
- 3
- Peak target FPS
- 60
- PSSR
- Yes
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- Yes
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- Yes
Known issues
The game locks up and becomes unresponsive across various modes and console models, requiring a forced restart at the OS level.
First-gen PSSR generates flickering, breakup, and noise in motion. Forcing second-gen PSSR via system settings causes blocky artifacts in foliage and ambient occlusion areas.
The in-game V-Sync toggle appears not to function properly in the current release build.
The HDR implementation presents SDR image values inside an HDR container, preventing true high dynamic range display.
Video analysis
Independent technical videos referenced in our analysis.
... Concluding thoughts. Starfield PS5/PS5 Pro Review - A Good Game... But There Are Issues. @DigitalFoundry3.2K likes111K views3 months ago more.
I just wrapped up a seven hour stream playing Starfield on the PS5 Pro, so here are my early thoughts on the game so far as I review ...
Go to channel Digital Foundry · Starfield PS5/PS5 Pro Review - A Good Game... But There Are Issues. Digital Foundry•110K views · 34:40.
Starfield PS5/PS5 Pro Review - A Good Game... But There Are Issues. Digital Foundry · 111K views ; STARFIELD IN 2026 - Review After 100 Hours on ...
Starfield will now default to a frame rate target of 40 while keeping the priority for full visuals.
Go to channel Digital Foundry · Starfield PS5/PS5 Pro Review - A Good Game... But There Are Issues. Digital Foundry•110K views · 16:21.
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Frequently asked
Answers built from the verified data on this page.
What frame rate does Starfield run at on PS5 Pro?
On PS5 Pro, Starfield offers 3 graphics modes: Performance Mode targets 60 FPS; Enhanced Mode (40 FPS) targets 40 FPS; Enhanced Mode targets 30 FPS.
What frame rate does Starfield run at on PS5?
On PS5, Starfield offers 2 graphics modes: Quality Mode targets 30 FPS; Performance Mode targets 60 FPS.
Does Starfield support 120 Hz on PlayStation?
Yes. Enhanced Mode (40 FPS) on PS5 Pro runs with 120 Hz output on a compatible display.
Does Starfield use PSSR on PS5 Pro?
Yes. At least one PS5 Pro graphics mode of Starfield uses PSSR, Sony's machine-learning upscaler, according to the sources cited in our analysis.
Is Starfield worth playing on PS5 Pro?
PS5 Pro offers an upgraded 1800p Enhanced mode with higher graphical fidelity and 40fps/120Hz support. However, Performance mode lowers internal resolution to 900p, PSSR introduces motion artifacts, and frequent crashes persist across both console variants.
What is the PSFoundry Performance Score of Starfield?
Starfield scores 78/100 on PS5 Pro. The Performance Score measures technical performance only — frame rate, image quality, graphics modes, visual features, responsiveness, loading and stability — not how good the game is.
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