The firmware released on March 16 for the PS5 Pro implemented the improved version of PSSR, an upscaling technology developed in partnership with AMD within the scope of Project Amethyst. Essa update allows players to activate a system toggle to replace the previous version of the upscaler with a more advanced one in supported games. Testes performed on more than 20 titles demonstrated consistent gains in sharpness, image stability and reduction of visual artifacts.
The new version of PSSR fixes limitations noted in the initial implementation, such as film grain-like noise in static scenes and issues with moving foliage. Ela also better handles complex reconstructions, including ray tracing effects like Lumen, without amplifying unwanted noise. The result is a cleaner and more coherent image in different game situations.
- Gran Turismo 7 features thin car edges and lines on the asphalt that are more stable during movement.
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows gains sharper resolution on distant textures.
- Games with particles and transparencies display elements that are more defined and less likely to dissolve into the background.
How to activate the new PSSR on PS5 Pro
Activating the enhanced version occurs in three main ways on the console. Onze titles have a developer whitelist that automatically forces the new upscaler, eliminating traces of the previous version. Toggle Enhanced Image Quality in the system menu applies the improvement to any game or demo that uses the old PSSR when activated by the user.
Furthermore, some recent releases already natively incorporate the updated technology. Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert represent examples of this category of direct integration. The general recommendation is to enable the toggle on the front panel to maximize the benefits on the console’s existing library.
The Enhanced Image Quality toggle is not activated by default on the PS5 Pro. Especialistas indicate that the option should be standard considering the results observed in extensive testing. Once turned on, it extends the improvements seen in specific games to most titles supported by the original PSSR.
https://twitter.com/PlayStation/status/2033559074336350692?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwImprovements in challenging scenarios with updated PSSR
Foliage represented a significant weakness in the initial version of PSSR, with titles like Avatar: The new iteration maintains more convincing plant aspects and efficiently suppresses noise, even surpassing FSR2 in some cases.
Star Wars Jedi Survivor and Star Wars Outlaws also register a cleaner appearance, although with a slight increase in flicker in specific situations. Reflexos in screen-space benefit equally, reducing flicker notable in previous implementations like that of Astro Bot. Padrões moiré on fine fabrics and reflective surfaces, seen in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, decreases noticeably.
Alan Wake 2 served as one of the most rigorous tests for the revised technology. Performance in 60fps mode from a low internal resolution delivers a higher image than the standard PS5’s 30fps quality mode at a higher resolution. Essa comparison highlights potential for developers to prioritize per-pixel quality over quantity.
Analysis of remaining limitations in the enhanced upscaler
Not all aspects achieve absolute perfection, as expected in upscaling solutions. Em Star Wars Jedi Survivor, ray traced reflections may appear sharper and noisier in motion, especially in scenes with water, which leads some users to prefer the softer look of the previous version. A subtle pattern of dots appears on certain textures, without causing major distraction.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 illustrates well the balance between advancements and persistent issues. The technology does a good job overall, but distant foliage can exhibit unusual blur. Problemas of “holes” in global illumination ray tracing remain present, especially in lower resolution performance modes, where the camera reveals incomplete sampling that gradually fills in.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows shows heavy rain that occasionally disappears against certain backgrounds. Esses artifacts vary by title and require individual assessment. Motivated Desenvolvedores can still apply targeted patches to further refine the experience in specific cases.
Performance and computational cost of the new PSSR
The improved version maintains the same operating cost as the previous one, as verified in extensive captures. Testes and Monster Hunter Wilds confirmed identical stability, while Hogwarts Legacy registered differences in the region of half a frame per second, within the typical margin of error. Mark Cerny mentioned marginal gain of 100 microseconds in efficiency.
This performance neutrality allows the toggle to be used without fear of frame rate drops. The focus remains on elevating visual quality without sacrificing fluidity. The absence of official first-party upgrades from Sony generates curiosity, possibly related to internal QA processes, but nothing prevents manual activation via system toggle.
Perspectives for the PS5 library Pro with the toggle activated
The update transforms a broad portion of the PS5 Pro library by improving titles that already supported PSSR. Bordas thin, painted lines and moving elements gain greater coherence, while resting noises disappear completely. The distinction between real details and stochastic noise becomes more precise, bringing the integrated TSR result closer to Epic in scenarios with Lumen.
Particles and transparencies receive a clearer presentation, with less tendency to get lost in the background of the scene. Reflexos and complex patterns on fabrics and surfaces also evolve positively. In total, more than 25 games were evaluated with the new technology, confirming consistent gains in most cases.
The revised upscaler represents a significant advance for the PS5 Pro. Ele acts as a direct replacement that solves most of the initial generation problems without compromising performance. While there are still areas for future refinement, image quality clearly advances and brings the console closer to its projected potential.