With graphics technology continually delivering new acronyms we’re here to explain Sony’s PSSR meaning – not just in name but in what it can do.
According to Sony, the technology is one of the standout points of interest and reasons to buy the PS5 Pro. But what is PSSR? PS5 upscaling is the easiest way to think of it, but it is exclusive to the newer Pro.
Below we look at the PSSR tech, where it fits into Sony’s renewed PlayStation 5 lineup, and why it’s such a big deal for console gaming.
Key Takeaways
- PSSR stands for PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution.
- It is the first-ever AI-enabled upscaling technology for consoles.
- PSSR is only supported by the PS5 Pro’s hardware and not the PS5.
- An 8K resolution is possible by using PSSR.
- Only PS5 Pro Enhanced games can make use of PSSR.
What is PSSR?
PSSR stands for PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution and it’s a custom AI upscaler. If you’ve heard of Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR, you’re on the right track here, although DLSS and FSR differ in their upscaling solutions.
The current FSR 3 uses an algorithmic approach rather than AI, while DLSS 3 uses dedicated AI technology and is regarded as the better of the two. Ultimately, though, neither is available for consoles. That means Sony’s PSSR is a big deal as a technical achievement, being the first proper AI upscaling technology for home consoles.
This is Sony opting for its own upscaling solution, with the grunt offered by an RDNA 3 AMD GPU in the PS5 Pro. But, as reported by Digital Trends, PS5’s Lead Architect, Mark Cerny, says the PS5 Pro has graphical capabilities that “no other AMD GPUs” use – this includes the most powerful RDNA 3 card – the RX 7900 XTX.
What Does PSSR Do?
Before we get to the more detailed side, PSSR is designed to make PS5 Pro Enhanced games look better. Games must support PSSR to be enhanced, as it will enable the extra GPU power and AI-powered tech to push the resolution and framerates.
Ultimately, this aims to do this with improved detail, clarity, and frame generation to a level the regular PS5 cannot match. That’s why Sony refers to it as one of the key PS5 Pro features and why the official PlayStation Blog provides a small explanation of what PSSR does.
While introducing the PS5 Pro on September 10, Sony stated that the Pro’s ‘AI-Driven Upscaling’ uses machine learning-based technology. This AI-powered technology will deliver “super sharp image clarity by adding an extraordinary amount of detail.” This is an additional level of detail created by PSSR technology to enhance games.
What this all means for gamers is better resolution gaming, with more detail, at better frame rates than ever before — be that on a PS5 or any other console to date. It also adds some justification for the PS5 Pro price. As with the PS5, the Xbox Series X uses an AMD graphics solution. However, it also has AMD’s algorithm-based FSR for upscaling, which isn’t as capable.
How will PS5 Pro Games Use PSSR?
Will PS5 Pro games use PSSR, and if so, how? That’s the question for anyone considering spending $699 on the new system or getting a PS5 Pro pre-order. The answers are ‘yes’ and ‘it will depend, but always to improve how a game looks or performs’.
For Sony’s part, it’s curated developers explaining how they will use PSSR, and it sounds promising. On September 24, 2024, a PlayStation Blog post went up in which a selection of top developers shared their views on what PSSR does for their games.
While upscaling is key to PSSR, enhancing high-resolution gaming is also a focus. Early in 2024, it was rumored that PSSR was aiming for 120fps at 4K (via Insider Gaming). In the above post, Shuichi Takano, Main Programmer at Gran Turismo developer Polyphony, states:
“While Gran Turismo 7 was already able to render in native 4K, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution on PS5 Pro is also effective on 4K sources, allowing for even more detail and higher image quality than ever before”, adding that Gran Turismo 7 will feature “experimental support for 8K/60fps output”.
Although PSSR’s meaning is key to resolution, its improvements aren’t just about that. As explained by Jan-Bart van Beek of Guerilla, Horizon Forbidden West can run at high quality on the PS5 Pro at 60fps. That’s double the frame rate of ” Quality mode on the regular PlayStation 5″.
As a further example of what PSSR can deliver, van Beek points to a heap of improvements now “made possible” for Guerilla’s Decima engine. He points to “shadows, depth-of-field, skin and hair shaders, clouds, god rays and so much more”, calling it “pure eye candy”.
Among the developer comments are those from Vincent Marxen, the lead programmer on The Last of Us Part II by Naughty Dog. Digital Foundry looks at the same title in a visual comparison of PS5 quality modes vs. PSSR and PSSR vs. PC performance with Nvidia’s DLSS. PSSR comes out of it with its head held high, despite YouTube’s video compression making differences less obvious than they would be in real life.
What Does PS5 Pro Enhanced Mean?
Games that are PS5 Pro enhanced are titles that can use a new ‘Enhanced Mode’ with PSSR technology when played on the PS5 Pro. These titles will deliver greater performance beyond the regular PS5’s capabilities.
The initial list of PS5 Pro Enhanced games is over 50 titles, and will only increase as more are developed with the ability to use Sony’s PSSR. technology. This is a reason to consider whether the PSSR on the PS5 Pro makes sense to you; after all, if you want to play titles at their best, the PS5 Pro will make an increasingly compelling case.
The Bottom Line
When it arrives on November 7, the PS5 Pro will bring PSSR — the first-ever AI-enabled upscaling technology for consoles. Developers are positive about the technology, and it is clear that the PS5 Pro will deliver a better graphical and performance-based experience than the regular PS5.
Importantly, an upscaling and enhancement solution using machine learning is beyond being a ‘more powerful GPU’. As such, it may be a compelling reason to opt for the PS5 Pro for the best possible performance on Sony’s consoles.
For more, you can read our PS5 Pro vs Pro comparison, and why we think the PS5 Pro will convert people to PC. All will be revealed in less than a month’s time; however, everything we’ve seen about PSSR is certainly promising.
FAQs
Will the PS5 get PSSR support?
Is PSSR exclusive to the PS5 Pro?
What does PSSR stand for?
Is PSSR the same as AMD FSR 3?
Can the PS5 Pro do 8K?
Is the PS5 Pro worth it?
References
- The PS5 Pro is packing GPU tech that no AMD PC has (Digital Trends)
- Welcome PlayStation 5 Pro, the most visually impressive way to play games on PlayStation (Blog PlayStation)
- PlayStation.Blog – Official PlayStation Blog for news and video updates on PlayStation, PS5, PS4, PS VR, PlayStation Plus and more (Blog PlayStation)
- PlayStation’s Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) is Aiming for 4K 120FPS & 8K 60FPS (Insider Gaming)
- Exclusive – The Last Of Us Part 2 – PS5 Pro PSSR Upgrades Tested (YouTube)