Playing games at high refresh rates changes how smooth your console feels. If you own a display that supports high refresh rates, you can push your hardware past the standard 60 frames per second limit. PS5 games at 120Hz unlock ultra-fluid motion, lower input lag, and a sharper visual response, provided your hardware setup is configured correctly.
Getting this working isn't just about plugging your console into any screen. You need an HDMI 2.1 cable, a compatible television or monitor, and specific settings enabled in your system dashboard. This guide details every major title supporting high refresh rates, what sacrifices happen under the hood to achieve them, and how to verify your setup.
Understanding High Refresh Rates on PlayStation 5
Sony's console supports output up to 120Hz, meaning the screen can refresh its image up to 120 times per second. This cuts frame times down significantly compared to traditional 60Hz displays. Lower frame times translate directly to reduced input latency. When you press a button, the action registers on screen faster.
However, hitting 120 frames per second requires immense graphical processing power. To maintain this frame rate in demanding titles, developers often lower internal rendering resolutions, disable ray tracing, or dial back shadow quality. You trade raw visual fidelity for absolute motion clarity. Fast-paced shooters and racing simulators benefit immensely from this trade-off, while slower story-driven adventures often stick to 30 or 60 frames per second to preserve rich graphical details.
To check out official technical guidelines on display capabilities and console connectivity, you can review details directly on the PlayStation Support Site.
The Definitive List of PS5 Games Supporting 120Hz
Not every title supports high refresh rates. Developers must specifically patch their games to unlock frame limiters. Below are the prominent genres and titles that take full advantage of high refresh rates on the console.
Competitive First-Person Shooters
Shooters demand split-second reactions, making high refresh rates a massive competitive advantage.
- Call of Duty Series: Titles including Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, and Warzone support high frame rate modes, dynamically scaling resolution to lock in fluid motion.
- Apex Legends: Features a high refresh mode designed to make tracking fast-moving targets much cleaner.
- Rainbow Six Siege: Prioritizes high refresh output over maximum resolution to ensure precision gunfights feel instantaneous.
- Overwatch 2: Utilizes performance modes to maintain smooth hero interactions during chaotic team fights.
Racing and Action Titles
Speed and timing dictate success in these categories, where low latency prevents mistimed inputs.
- Dirt 5: Offers a dedicated 120Hz mode that prioritizes ultra-smooth vehicle handling over maximum pixel count.
- Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition: Unlocks high frame rate options for players who want hyper-responsive combat combos.
- Borderlands 3: Allows players to drop resolution down to 1080p to enjoy frantic loot-shooter action at 120 frames per second.
- Doom Eternal: Delivers blistering fast demon-slaying action by maintaining high frame rates in intense combat arenas.
How to Enable 120Hz Mode on Your PS5
Many players buy high-end displays but never actually experience high frame rates because default system settings prioritize maximum resolution. Follow these steps to ensure your console outputs 120Hz correctly:
- Turn on your PlayStation 5 and navigate to the Settings gear icon in the top right corner of the home screen.
- Scroll down and select Screen and Video, then choose Video Output.
- Look for the Enable 120Hz Output setting and set it to Automatic.
- Check your Resolution setting; ensure it is set to automatic or matches your display's native capability.
- Launch a compatible game, open its in-game settings menu, and switch your visual preset from "Resolution Mode" to "Performance Mode" or "HFR Mode".
For hardware compatibility standards and display certification guidelines, you can visit the HDMI Forum to understand cable and port specifications.
Common Setup Mistakes and Troubleshooting
If your games refuse to run at high frame rates, a single bottleneck in your hardware chain is usually the culprit. Here is how to diagnose and fix common roadblocks.
- Using the Wrong Cable: You must use the Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable that came in the box with your console. Older HDMI 2.0 cables lack the bandwidth required for 4K video paired with high refresh rates.
- Wrong HDMI Port: On many multi-input televisions, only two of the available HDMI ports support full bandwidth 2.1 features. Check your television manual to plug your console into the correct port.
- System HDR Conflicts: Some older displays cannot process 4K, HDR, and 120Hz simultaneously due to bandwidth caps. If your screen goes blank or drops signal, try lowering color depth or turning off HDR in system settings.
- Ignoring Game Presets: Remember that system settings only enable the capability. You must still go into the specific video options inside each game to turn on performance mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an HDMI 2.1 cable for 120Hz?
You need an HDMI 2.1 cable if you want 120Hz at a 4K resolution. If you play at a 1080p resolution, high-quality older cables can sometimes handle the data load, but sticking with the official cable eliminates guesswork.
Does 120Hz work on 1440p monitors?
Yes. Sony added native support for 1440p monitor outputs, allowing compatible screens to run high refresh rate titles without forcing a downgrade to 1080p.
Can I use 120Hz with PlayStation VR2?
The VR headset handles its own refresh rates natively depending on the specific software loaded, but standard console output settings still apply to your main television setup.
Will high frame rates burn out my console?
No. High refresh rates push the graphics processor and memory harder, but the console operates within strict thermal design limits engineered by hardware manufacturers. Ensure your console has adequate ventilation space around its vents.
