PS5 and Pro Models Have VRR Stutters
According to detailed analysis by Digital Foundry, PS5 and PS5 Pro users are experiencing regular stuttering issues in games that support variable refresh rate (VRR). In particular, noticeable stuttering occurs approximately every eight seconds in games that support 120Hz VRR. This situation negates the main purpose of VRR, which is to provide a smooth gaming experience.
What is VRR and What Does It Mean?
Variable refresh rate (VRR) is a technology designed to prevent screen tearing and provide a smoother experience in situations where the frame rate is not constant in games. However, tests conducted on the PS5 and PS5 Pro show that this system does not work unexpectedly in some games. In particular, stuttering occurs regularly after about 20 minutes of gameplay in games such as The Last of Us Part 1 and 2, Diablo 4, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2.
This problem occurs when the console momentarily increases the refresh rate to 120Hz and then decreases it again when VRR is active. Tests have shown that this situation occurs in the same way on different screens and monitors. In other words, the problem is not caused by the screens, but directly by the VRR signal processing method of the PS5 and PS5 Pro.
Digital Foundry tested 19 different games to determine which games are affected by this issue. While this problem is seen in popular games such as Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, and Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, some games such as Gran Turismo 7 and God of War Ragnarok are not affected by this issue. It is stated that the problem becomes more pronounced depending on the frame rate variability of the games.
Although Sony has not yet made an official statement about this issue, Digital Foundry stated that it shared these findings with the company. For now, users can apply temporary solutions by turning off VRR or restarting the game when the problem occurs. However, this causes users to lose the benefits provided by VRR.
Sony is expected to resolve this issue with a software update. PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro users in particular hope that the issue will be resolved soon. Sony’s statements and a possible update are being closely monitored for developments.
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