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Console Performance
May 8, 2026 at 06:56 AM
Removed third-party site name attributions
Crimson Desert launched on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S on March 19, 2026. All three consoles offer three display modes: Performance, Balanced, and Quality. The PS5 Pro receives additional enhancements through PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) upscaling and higher ray tracing quality. Patch 1.00.03 (March 23, 2026) added a separate 120 Hz toggle and addressed several stability issues on console.
Mode | Target FPS | Upscaling | Ray Tracing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance | 1080p (native) | 60 fps | None | Standard |
Balanced | 1440p (upscaled) | 40 fps | FSR 3 | High |
Quality | 4K (upscaled) | 30 fps | FSR 3 | High |
Mode | Target FPS | Upscaling | Ray Tracing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance | 1080p upscaled to 4K | 60 fps (VSync) / 60+ fps (VRR) | PSSR | High |
Balanced | 1440p upscaled to 4K | 40 fps (VSync) / 48+ fps (VRR) | PSSR | High |
Quality | 4K (native) | 30 fps | None | Ultra |
Performance Mode targets 60 fps at 1080p on the base PS5 and Xbox Series X. In practice, the frame rate is inconsistent. testing found that the first hour of gameplay holds close to 60 fps, but populated areas such as city streets, village markets, and large-scale battles regularly send the frame rate into the high 30s to low 40s. Pop-in is the most noticeable in this mode, with foliage, terrain, and rock formations loading in mid-frame.
On the base PS5, Performance Mode runs at native 1080p with no upscaling at all. This compounds the visual quality issues and makes the image noticeably softer than the upscaled Balanced and Quality modes. As a result, Performance Mode on the base PS5 is generally not recommended.
Balanced Mode renders at 1440p using FSR 3 upscaling and targets 40 fps. The frame rate is significantly more stable than Performance Mode, with drops below 40 fps being rare. The higher internal resolution combined with upscaling produces a cleaner image with less pop-in. For players using a display that supports 120 Hz output and VRR, Balanced Mode can exceed 40 fps for smoother motion.
Quality Mode delivers upscaled 4K at a locked 30 fps with high ray tracing. Pop-in is nearly eliminated, and the image is sharp and detailed. This mode provides the most visually impressive experience but sacrifices responsiveness in combat due to the 30 fps cap.
The PS5 Pro version uses Sony's PSSR upscaling in Performance and Balanced modes, producing a significantly cleaner image than the base PS5's FSR 3. John Linneman noted he was "surprised by how good it was overall." Performance Mode on the PS5 Pro maintains 60 fps in most scenarios, though large crowds of NPCs or enemies can still push the frame rate below the target. Quality Mode on the PS5 Pro renders at native 4K with ultra-quality ray tracing at a locked 30 fps.
Xbox Series X runs the same three display modes with the same resolution and frame rate targets as the base PS5. Performance comparisons and other outlets found near-parity between the Xbox Series X and base PS5, with neither console consistently outperforming the other. After Patch 1.00.03, reviewers noted improved controller responsiveness and a smoother overall experience on Xbox.
Before Patch 1.00.03having 120 Hz output enabled in the PS5 system settings caused the game to render at a dramatically reduced internal resolution, making the image appear blurry and soft regardless of the selected display mode. Patch 1.00.03 separated 120 Hz into an optional in-game toggle that can only be activated on a 120 Hz-capable display with HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. The default refresh rate was changed to 60 Hz.
The primary benefit of enabling 120 Hz is smoother frame delivery for Balanced Mode (40 fps). Without 120 Hz output, displaying 40 fps on a 60 Hz panel introduces judder because 40 does not divide evenly into 60. With 120 Hz active, each frame can be held for exactly three refresh cycles (3 x 40 = 120), eliminating judder. Combined with VRR, this provides the smoothest console experience outside of a locked 60 fps.
Console | Recommended Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Base PS5 | Balanced (1440p/40 fps) | Most stable frame rate and best balance of image quality to performance. Avoid Performance Mode. |
PS5 Pro | Performance (60 fps) or Balanced | Performance Mode holds 60 fps in most areas. Balanced is a safe fallback if drops bother you. |
Xbox Series X | Balanced (1440p/40 fps) | Same rationale as base PS5. Stable frame rate with solid image quality. |
