PS5 “Power Saver” Mode Tested - Digital Foundry

viveks86

Member


Finally some extensive testing from DF. Still not sure why an end user would bother with this mode, but may shed some light on rumored Canis compatibility for PS5 titles. But given PSSR is being disabled for Days Gone on Pro, I'm not sure this has anything to do with Canis at all, which would presumably lean heavily on AI upscaling.
 
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Instead of getting a PS5 with a newer process node, that would save power and die space, we get a gimped performance mode.

You Got Me GIF by HULU
 


Finally some extensive testing from DF. Still not sure why an end user would bother with this mode, but may shed some light on rumored Canis compatibility for PS5 titles. But given PSSR is being disabled for Days Gone on Pro, I'm not sure this has anything to do with Canis at all, which would presumably lean heavily on AI upscaling.

I don't think Canis/Orion can run PSSR 1.0
 
Interesting! Why is that? Does that mean backwards compatibility on Orion can't run Pro versions of the game??
The matrix cores from RDNA5 are completely different from what PS5 Pro is using. Maybe they can find a way to implement BC but I wouldn't bet on it.
K KeplerL2 What do you think Canis (which will presumably have a 1080p screen) could do regarding these games running at 1440p resolution?
Idk, does Sony have a way to change a game's internal or output resolution at a system level? I know Xbox has done that for a few games.
 
Idk, does Sony have a way to change a game's internal or output resolution at a system level? I know Xbox has done that for a few games.
It doesn't, but it makes me wonder if such system level feature is possible. I guess Xbox shows that it is?
 
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The matrix cores from RDNA5 are completely different from what PS5 Pro is using. Maybe they can find a way to implement BC but I wouldn't bet on it.

Idk, does Sony have a way to change a game's internal or output resolution at a system level? I know Xbox has done that for a few games.
PSSR needs 300 TOPs of INT8.

Man, running base ps5 modes on PS6 would absolutely suck. It would make games like FF7 rebirth, AC shadows, GoY, KCD2 etc. a step backwards on PS6. Hope they find a work around to brute force it somehow.
 
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It doesn't, but it makes me wonder if such system level feature is possible. I guess Xbox shows that it is?
If you have a 1080p screen, all 4K (and supposedly 1440p) games will work and output at 1080p (by downscaling 4k to 1080p). So yes PS5 can downscale anything at system level but not the internal resolution of the game.
 
Most likely a side device coming after PS6.

Don't see them launching a completely new portable before it, to be honest.

Unless they salvage the Portal, build upon that and make it more than a streaming device.

Either way, if you already have a PS5 an android handheld to run retro games and stream current gen ones, sounds more way tempting than a PS Portable.
 
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I don't think Canis/Orion can run PSSR 1.0
It should run PSSR 2.0 / FSR4 and hopefully the games with Pro patches get a PSSR upgrade. I see it unlikely that PS6 will play games worse than on PS5 Pro (although they could try to position it in that way I think it would be more trouble than it is worth).
 
The matrix cores from RDNA5 are completely different from what PS5 Pro is using.
Last I recall PSSR is a system SDK call, not unlike how PSVR comm was implemented - ie. there's nothing saying the system must run PS5 Pro code for it. Ie. it wouldn't need 'BC' it would simply need to swap in its own upscaler - it's analogous to DLL swaps on PC.

That said - can we just stop bending over backwards trying to retrofit the ECO mode into Handheld profile where it clearly isn't it at all?
Like litreally nothing about how this has been implemented is even resembling a handheld-hw profile - from removal of upscalers to targeting 4k outputs and other things (like CPU spec that is overperformed by every handheld release in last 3 years including the Switch 2) - it makes absolutely zero sense and we still have youtubers bending themselves into a pretzel trying to insist
margin-call-this-is-it.gif

Even in this video DF is still like... but Maybe it's all there we're just not seeing it in plain sight... it's 'the powerbrick GPU' level of leaps at this point...

Idk, does Sony have a way to change a game's internal or output resolution at a system level?
They always had that in the sense you're referring to - lots of PS4 Pro games specifically ran different depending on resolution for instance.
But neither XBox nor Playstation actually have 'system level' overrides - it's system inputs that the games decide what to do with.
Eg - 90% of PS3/360 games had a special 480p mode - for SDTV only, ie. they run better on SDTVs pretty universally (for people that complain about framerates that gen - try playing on SDTV, I mean - that's what Series S and Switch users still do in 2025 - so clearly it's 'fine').
But some games decided to downscale instead (and usually resulted in borderline unplayable results - but it was a developer choice, never system one).
 
I still don't believe that Sony would be regarded enough to waste resource on a handheld when their arch nemesis in the console space is dead and Nintendo has the handheld/hybrid market on a chokehold with a vastly superior architecture for low power devices.
 
I still don't believe that Sony would be regarded enough to waste resource on a handheld when their arch nemesis in the console space is dead and Nintendo has the handheld/hybrid market on a chokehold with a vastly superior architecture for low power devices.
That's exactly when competition would rise. When one company holds superiority without actual monopoly. It's not a new endeavor for Sony and the rising trend of portables will be something they will want a piece of, even if that doesn't mean global domination.
 
Finally some extensive testing from DF.
Yeah that wasn't extensive. Preliminary sure, but extensive? Most impactful aspect to my mind was they stated they have independently confirmed the MLiD specs in general. (1:22 in the DF OT). Always good to get independent verification.
 
If you have a 1080p screen, all 4K (and supposedly 1440p) games will work and output at 1080p (by downscaling 4k to 1080p). So yes PS5 can downscale anything at system level but not the internal resolution of the game.
Downscaling also keeps the pixel count. So a 4k image downloaded to a 1080p resolution would have 4 times as pixels of a native 1080p image, resulting in a more crisp image due to higher bitrate. But that is the same as running the game on 4k, which wouldn't be possible on the handheld to begin with, thus the need power saving mode and handheld optimized versions of games.
 
I still don't believe that Sony would be regarded enough to waste resource on a handheld when their arch nemesis in the console space is dead and Nintendo has the handheld/hybrid market on a chokehold with a vastly superior architecture for low power devices.
The Switch consoles constitute a "vastly superior architecture for low-power devices"? Are you fucking kidding me here? Sony handhelds have historically mopped the floor with Nintendo's DS and 3DS consoles.

Fucking hell, we've got Hideo Kojima himself on the record saying that the full Metal Gear Solid V was being concurrently developed for PS3, PS4 and Vita -- a console designed by Mark motherfucking Cerny -- and you're coming at me with this "Nintendo's superior" bullshit?

Jensen Huang can suck my dick after the RSX.
 
The Switch consoles constitute a "vastly superior architecture for low-power devices"? Are you fucking kidding me here? Sony handhelds have historically mopped the floor with Nintendo's DS and 3DS consoles.

If you don't understand why ARM and Nvidia's features are the best choice for a low powered device, you have no business discussing this topic.
 
If you don't understand why ARM and Nvidia's features are the best choice for a low powered device, you have no business discussing this topic.
Switch 2 is barely better than the Steamdeck, ie three years old AMD tech. An up to date variant will naturally go past what Steamdeck and Switch 2 offers. ARM and Nvidia is in theory great (Vita was much better than 3DS, and I believe every high end phone too, with ARM stuff, just the GPU being very advanced), but Nvidia cares about dollarz, and Nintendo was pushing more expensive tech the last time with the Gamecube. So the result is okay, but cheaper than it could be. Maybe ARM and Nvidia would also be nice when pushed to the limits for Sony, at an higher price, but for compatibility reasons and probably also cheaper AMD prices, it's a route that would complicate things a lot for Sony, despite having done some impressive porting work with sometimes doing all three platforms; PS3, PS4 and Vita.
 
See you in two years.

Are you a DEI forumer?
It's really not hard to understand why portable devices are overwhelmingly using ARM, and how Nvidia's features such as DLSS are a big equaliser for low power devices.

It does not mean that Sony/AMD cannot make a powerful portable machine; it just means that it will be significanlty less portable, more power hungry, and (for them at least) more costly. Old ass T239 on a 2020 node is trading blows with the recently release ROG Ally, and it all thank to having a better architecture. Ask chatgpt to help you if it's hard to comprehend.
 
I still don't believe that Sony would be regarded enough to waste resource on a handheld when their arch nemesis in the console space is dead and Nintendo has the handheld/hybrid market on a chokehold with a vastly superior architecture for low power devices.
Xbox is out. It's all Playstation vs Switch vs Steam now.
 
I tried the power saver mode with Demon's Souls. This is really the same 1440p game at half the framerate.

The input lag is surprisingly low, there are no frame-pacing issues (locked 30fps) and I found the game very playable thanks to this.

This is going to be the best looking game on the handheld.
 
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Xbox is out. It's all Playstation vs Switch vs Steam now.

Yes that's what I implied. Xbox is out, SOny does not have competition in the home console market. Nintendo gave up and Xbox is about to.

However, they've been dog-walked twice by Nintendo on the handheld segment, and Nintendo has built through the last 8 years a bulletproof brand when it comes to hybrid devices. Seems like a waste of resources to try to compete with Nintendo on that segment, especially as this new Sony console would compete with their own home console arguably more than with the Switch family.
 
Okay future rumored handheld aside... who's going to enable this on their full console? Who wants WORSE performance and WORSE image quality? Who is this for?

Idiots I presume. There are all over the place.

They can help to save our planet by reducing their PS5 energy consumption while A.I companies drains multiple gigawatts AI data centers.
 
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Yes that's what I implied. Xbox is out, SOny does not have competition in the home console market. Nintendo gave up and Xbox is about to.

However, they've been dog-walked twice by Nintendo on the handheld segment, and Nintendo has built through the last 8 years a bulletproof brand when it comes to hybrid devices. Seems like a waste of resources to try to compete with Nintendo on that segment, especially as this new Sony console would compete with their own home console arguably more than with the Switch family.
What? Sony doesn't care which model you buy the PS6...whether if it's the portable or the home console. As long as you are invested on their ecosystem it's all the same to them.
 
Are you a DEI forumer?
It's really not hard to understand why portable devices are overwhelmingly using ARM, and how Nvidia's features such as DLSS are a big equaliser for low power devices.

It does not mean that Sony/AMD cannot make a powerful portable machine; it just means that it will be significanlty less portable, more power hungry, and (for them at least) more costly. Old ass T239 on a 2020 node is trading blows with the recently release ROG Ally, and it all thank to having a better architecture. Ask chatgpt to help you if it's hard to comprehend.
There is nothing magical about ARM that you can't get with X86. The Switch 2 is so power efficient because of the OS, low clocks, the development environment and it's optimized software.

Even the Deck, which is considered more efficient than the windows handhelds, is translating windows software made for 500w systems to Linux at 15 watts. It's inherently inefficient.

The PlayStation portable will be the most efficient portable by far, up there with the Switch 2, simply because it's not a mini PC.
 
Xbox is out. It's all Playstation vs Switch vs Steam now.

Why does it have to be a VS. Its not a VS. Xbox destroyed and I think the remaining 3 provide all that is needed, and a unique experience for all platforms. Why are you trying to make a war happen between Sony and Nintendo, PC.

That is a fight that Sony has absolutely 0 chance of winning, you need to chill.
 
That is a fight that Sony has absolutely 0 chance of winning, you need to chill.
Pray tell me how Valve and Nintendo have defeated Sony in the living room home console market?
Yes that's what I implied. Xbox is out, SOny does not have competition in the home console market. Nintendo gave up and Xbox is about to.

However, they've been dog-walked twice by Nintendo on the handheld segment, and Nintendo has built through the last 8 years a bulletproof brand when it comes to hybrid devices. Seems like a waste of resources to try to compete with Nintendo on that segment, especially as this new Sony console would compete with their own home console arguably more than with the Switch family.
There handheld is supposed to be more powerful than the Ally X and will definitely outsell Steam Deck.
 
Interesting! Why is that? Does that mean backwards compatibility on Orion can't run Pro versions of the game??
Pretty likely Canis/Orion would use PSSR 2.0 instead, which pretty likely would be better than PSSR 1.0 and would be BC with everything, maybe even with games that don't have PSSR 1.0 implemented.

If the handheld really aims to run PS5 stuff using less horsepower in some areas must be using something that bump the resolution/FPS of old PS4/PS5 games.

Something the handheld may do could be to render natively at 720p 30fps and almost losslessly scale to 1440p 60fps, or from 540p 30fps to 1080p 60fps.
 
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Nintendo gave up
What does that even mean?

What was the Wii? Nintendo giving up the POWERFUL console race?

What is the Switch? Gaming Console?

Last time i checked it was Only Nintendo still holding Exclusives. You know The things that sells ur Game Consoles.

Sony is Not doing Exclusives anymore. alas releasing on PC yr later and sometimes competitors systems Helldrivers 2/ Lego Horizon.

Microsoft Not doing Exclusive anymore releasing on PC and competitors systems.

So pls educate me on how Nintendo has giving UP?
 
Pray tell me how Valve and Nintendo have defeated Sony in the living room home console market?

There handheld is supposed to be more powerful than the Ally X and will definitely outsell Steam Deck.

They dont need to defeat them in the home console market because overall that market is on life support.

Nintendo is in their own lane with a home console hybrid, and Steam PC is not a home console and is seeing overall worldwide growth that far exceeds the home console market.
 
Pretty likely Canis/Orion would use PSSR 2.0 instead, which pretty likely would be better than PSSR 1.0 and would be BC with everything, maybe even with games that don't have PSSR 1.0 implemented.

If the handheld really aims to run PS5 stuff using less horsepower in some areas must be using something that bump the resolution/FPS of old PS4/PS5 games.

Something the handheld may do could be to render natively at 720p 30fps and almost losslessly scale to 1440p 60fps, or from 540p 30fps to 1080p 60fps.
I can see potential BC with PSSR 1.0, but I can't see it automatically supporting games with no PSSR. The input would still be needed as it's not a spatial post processing upscaler.
 
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I can see potential BC with PSSR 1.0, but I can't see it automatically supporting games with no PSSR. The input would still be needed as it's not a spatial post processing upscaler.
I assume PSSR 2.0 will have all the instructions of PSSR 1.0 (a better implementation of them) plus new instructions (for stuff like FPS boost).

In fact, I assume PSSR 2.0 won't need the games to implement PSSR specific code because I assume will be integrated on how the next gen stuff (including the portable) renders, so that's why they'd disable it in low power mode.
 
They dont need to defeat them in the home console market because overall that market is on life support.

Nintendo is in their own lane with a home console hybrid, and Steam PC is not a home console and is seeing overall worldwide growth that far exceeds the home console market.
Is that why Playstation has 123 million active users?
 
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In fact, I assume PSSR 2.0 won't need the games to implement PSSR specific code because I assume will be integrated on how the next gen stuff (including the portable) renders, so that's why they'd disable it in low power mode.
They disabled PSSR in low-power mode because the low-power mode targets that - there's no 'Pro low-power'.
It's also pretty patently unrelated to any handheld ambitions (or lack of thereof) - but I ranted enough about that in my previous post.

To the other point - I agree that PSSR compatible games will likely not need 'BC' because it could just use the upscaler available - but don't expect free lunch for games with no temporal upscaler support. That requires deep integration due to how these upscalers work.
 
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