The Last of Us Part I — PS5 & PS5 Pro performance
Technical analysis last updated
On base PS5, The Last of Us Part I offers a choice between a 1440p 60fps Performance mode and a native 4K 30fps Fidelity mode (or 40fps at 120Hz). PS5 Pro introduces a Pro mode that combines 1440p rendering with PSSR upscaling to 4K at 60fps, substantially improving foliage and image clarity over PS5 Performance mode. Unlocked frame-rate modes using VRR and 120Hz output achieve up to a 29 percent performance uplift on PS5 Pro, pushing frame rates over 100fps in unlocked play. For 4K display owners targeting 60fps, the PS5 Pro patch offers a definitive visual and performance upgrade.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5 Pro
PS5 Pro delivers a solid 4K60 experience via PSSR in its new Pro mode, presenting noticeably cleaner foliage and superior motion clarity compared to base PS5 performance mode. Minor PSSR noise/instability and rare geometric seam shimmer exist, but overall presentation and unlocked VRR frame rates (exceeding 100fps) make this the definitive console version.
Adds a dedicated Pro mode using PSSR to deliver a 4K 60fps output from a 1440p base resolution. Existing base PS5 modes also run with higher unlocked frame rates when paired with VRR/120Hz displays.
Pro Mode
PS5 ProUnverifiedSubstantial visual improvement over base performance mode with refined foliage and reduced post-processing sharpening. Mild image instability/grain artifact and occasional seam shimmering noted.
Performance Mode
PS5 ProUnverifiedIdentical rendering to base PS5 performance mode with native 1440p output and aggressive sharpening.
Fidelity Mode
PS5 ProUnverifiedNative 4K rendering with clean thin geometry, though fine foliage detail in motion can alias slightly more than Pro mode.
Graphics modes on PlayStation 5
Base PS5 delivers stable performance across both 1440p 60fps Performance and native 4K 30fps Fidelity modes. The 120Hz output toggle unlocks 40fps in Fidelity mode or higher unlocked frame rates with VRR.
Performance Mode
PS5Unverified1440p rendering with noticeable post-process sharpening and undersampled foliage aliasing.
Fidelity Mode
PS5UnverifiedNative 4K rendering offering clean geometry and high static detail.
PS5 vs PS5 Pro
Side-by-side comparison of graphics modes, resolution and technical features.
PS5 Pro provides a meaningful upgrade by merging 4K presentation with 60fps performance via PSSR upscaling, eliminating the compromise between resolution and frame rate found on base PS5. Unlocked VRR frame rates also benefit from up to a 29% performance boost.
| Metric | PS5 | PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| PSFoundry Score | 80Great | 76Good |
| Recommended mode | Performance Mode | Pro Mode |
| Modes available | 2 | 3 |
| Highest target FPS | 60 | 60 |
| Highest verified capability | 60 fps target | 60 fps target |
| PSSR | No | Yes |
| Ray tracing | No | No |
| VRR | Yes | Yes |
| 120 Hz support | Yes | Yes |
| PS5 Pro Enhanced | No | Yes |
- PSFoundry Score
- 80Great
- Recommended mode
- Performance Mode
- Modes available
- 2
- Highest target FPS
- 60
- Highest verified capability
- 60 fps target
- PSSR
- No
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- Yes
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- No
- PSFoundry Score
- 76Good
- Recommended mode
- Pro Mode
- Modes available
- 3
- Highest target FPS
- 60
- Highest verified capability
- 60 fps target
- PSSR
- Yes
- Ray tracing
- No
- VRR
- Yes
- 120 Hz support
- Yes
- PS5 Pro Enhanced
- Yes
Known issues
A subtle image instability presents like a film grain effect across the frame on PS5 Pro even when film grain is disabled in game options.
Occasional geometric seams can shimmer and become visually obvious under specific conditions on PS5 Pro.
Water surfaces occasionally exhibit minor flickering issues on PS5 Pro.
The 30fps Fidelity mode exhibits occasional uneven frame pacing, delivering closely-spaced frames at times.
When using 120Hz without VRR enabled, Fidelity mode lacks the GPU headroom to reach 40fps reliably, hovering around 35fps instead.
A specific hallway combat sequence roughly one-third into the game repeatedly drops performance into the 50-55fps range in Performance mode.
Video analysis
Independent technical videos referenced in our analysis.
... Pro version that runs beautifully on PS5... so what's actually ... Re-Making The Last of Us Part I - Noclip Documentary. /noclip•434K ...
PS5 Pro: The Last of Us Part I First Impressions! - Great on PRO ... The Last of Us Part 2 - Digital Foundry Tech Review - Naughty Dog's PS4 ...
... The Last of Us Part I is optimized for PC with PC-centric quality ... - Digital Foundry shows the BIG DOWNGRADE! @DreamcastGuy1.2K ...
The Last of Us Part I PS3 vs PS4 vs PS5 Remake - Graphics Comparison ... Go to channel Digital Foundry · The Last of Us Part 1/Part 2 ...
... The Last of Us Part I Remake on PlayStation 5 vs. PlayStation 5 Pro. Graphics, Resolution, Ray tracing, FPS Test at 4K 60FPS and up to ...
PS5 Pro: PSSR 2 in The Last of Us Part I – Visual Showcase Join this ... Go to channel Digital Foundry · PS5 Pro Upgraded PSSR + Enhance ...
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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.
- UnverifiedThe Last of Us Part I receives a PS5 Pro patch adding a dedicated 'Pro' mode that renders at 1440p and upscales to 4K at 60fps using PSSR. Base PS5 performance and fidelity modes remain available, witDigital Foundry2024-11-25
The Last of Us Part I receives a PS5 Pro patch adding a dedicated 'Pro' mode that renders at 1440p and upscales to 4K at 60fps using PSSR. Base PS5 performance and fidelity modes remain available, with VRR and 120Hz unlocked modes providing up to 25fps higher frame rates on PS5 Pro.
Open source - UnverifiedDigital Foundry evaluates the performance of The Last of Us Part I on PS5, analyzing its five visual modes across 60Hz, 120Hz, and VRR configurations.Digital Foundry2022-09-01
Digital Foundry evaluates the performance of The Last of Us Part I on PS5, analyzing its five visual modes across 60Hz, 120Hz, and VRR configurations.
Open source
Frequently asked
Answers built from the verified data on this page.
What frame rate does The Last of Us Part I run at on PS5 Pro?
On PS5 Pro, The Last of Us Part I offers 3 graphics modes: Pro Mode targets 60 FPS at 4K; Performance Mode targets 60 FPS at 1440p; Fidelity Mode targets 30 FPS at 4K.
What frame rate does The Last of Us Part I run at on PS5?
On PS5, The Last of Us Part I offers 2 graphics modes: Performance Mode targets 60 FPS at 1440p; Fidelity Mode targets 30 FPS at 4K.
Does The Last of Us Part I support 120 Hz on PlayStation?
Yes. Pro Mode on PS5 Pro, Performance Mode on PS5 Pro, Fidelity Mode on PS5 Pro, Performance Mode on PS5, Fidelity Mode on PS5 run with 120 Hz output on a compatible display. That is a 120 Hz output container with a higher frame-rate range — no mode targets a locked 120 FPS.
Does The Last of Us Part I use PSSR on PS5 Pro?
Yes. At least one PS5 Pro graphics mode of The Last of Us Part I uses PSSR, Sony's machine-learning upscaler, according to the sources cited in our analysis.
Is The Last of Us Part I worth playing on PS5 Pro?
PS5 Pro provides a meaningful upgrade by merging 4K presentation with 60fps performance via PSSR upscaling, eliminating the compromise between resolution and frame rate found on base PS5. Unlocked VRR frame rates also benefit from up to a 29% performance boost.
What is the best graphics mode for The Last of Us Part I on PS5 Pro?
Best overall balance: Pro Mode — Pro Mode targets 60 FPS at 4K.
Patch history
Only updates that changed graphics modes, resolution, frame rate or visual features.
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.
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 The Last of Us Part I.
The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II Remastered
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Far Cry: Primal
Browse the full PlayStation performance database or the PS5 Pro Enhanced games list.