Skip to main content

PS5 Pro's PSSR upscaler tested against FSR 3.1 and Nvidia DLSS 3.7 in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

Just one implementation in one game - but the results are compelling.

With PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), Sony has joined the machine-learning based image reconstruction race started by Nvidia almost six years ago. At Digital Foundry, we're excited to see this kind of technology reach into the console space and so as part of our recent exclusive PS5 Pro capture opportunity, we spent some time using PS5 Pro and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart to grab a series of reconstruction-based shots that we know from prior experience truly puts reconstruction technologies through their paces. To what extent can PSSR best the FSR-level technology typically used by consoles? And how close is PSSR to the acknowledged state-of-the-art: Nvidia DLSS?

First of all, let's discuss caveats and limitations. We compared PS5 Pro to PC on approximate quality settings, but it's impossible to get a complete match. Secondly, Rift Apart uses dynamic resolution scaling and the PC implementation is very, very different - so we pixel-counted each individual test shot on the Pro, then matched resolution precisely on DLSS using a tool called DLSSTweaks, whereas we were limited to FSR 3.1's quality mode, which typically uses a slightly lower base resolution than the Pro. Beyond that, while we tried to disable motion blur on PS5 Pro for increased clarity, turning it off only seems to lower the intensity of the effect, so we had to match that on our PC captures.

Finally - and perhaps the biggest caveat of all - this is just one game and the quality of upscaling implementations vary from title to title. We've not seen enough of PSSR to draw more solid conclusions in the way we can with FSR and DLSS, but there's a good chance that what we're seeing here with PSSR may be indicative. For now though, it's very much just a Ratchet and Clank head-to-head.

Sony's PS5 Pro upscaler - PSSR - gets put through its paces against FSR 3.1 (the technology it'll most likely replace) along with Nvidia's DLSS, the acknowledged state-of-the-art ML upscaler at this time.Watch on YouTube

I'd strongly recommend watching the video above as the very nature of the exercise means that video is a better medium to communicate the differences, and as you'll see when you watch, comparisons up against FSR 3.1 were the first order of business. AMD's compute-based upscaler is heavily used in the console space and in many scenarios, this is the technology PSSR looks to supplant. I began by looking for 'disocclusion fizzle'. A third-person game like Rift Apart is great for testing this: it's essentially the quality of newly revealed detail which has little to no 'history' to draw on from previous frames.

This is my major complaint with FSR 3.1's quality - it fails to effectively anti-alias newly revealed detail, 'fizzling' in motion. Thankfully, like DLSS and XeSS, PSSR does not suffer from this issue - and it's as plain as day to see. Ratchet and Clank runs at relatively high resolutions on PS5 Pro, so this gap in quality may widen when dealing with much lower quality input pixel ranges - something we'll test in due course.

FSR also has problems with particles, whether it's the particles when Ratchet collects his first gun, or the fluttering confetti in the background during the opening stage. Particles have a wispy, ghost-like look when processed with FSR, to the point where the confetti can fade in and out of existence. PSSR does a comparatively superior job and actually seems to present with more confetti. That's not actually the case: it's just that PSSR particles are more temporally consistent, remaining on-screen in stark contrast to FSR 3.1. Hologrammatic signs also look better with PSSR. FSR 3.1 lacks anti-aliasing coverage here and while PSSR is not perfect, the presentation is less jagged on edges.

Finally, processing grass in the first stage is challenging for FSR, to the point where it can seemingly present flowing artefacts that look almost liquid-like. Machine learning-based upscalers tend to discriminate better and PSSR tries to clamp down that issue. It still is not perfect, but I would say it does manage to keep the grass from looking as odd as it does with FSR. If we consider that this is the first publicly seen iteration of PSSR, we can safely assume that it manages to do the job required of it - it offers a substantial upgrade to upscaling quality, but do bear in mind we're still dealing with relatively high base resolutions. It's at 1080p - and even lower - where PSSR truly needs to prove its worth.

Comparisons against Nvidia DLSS perhaps have less practical use. Unlike FSR 3.1, you will never see a Sony console using this upscaling technology. However, more holistically, DLSS holds the crown as the most accomplished machine learning-based upscaler on the market - a position Nvidia has earned with almost six years of iteration - and so we can get some idea of how close Sony has got with its debut iteration. Across all my test clips, I noted a kind of moving fizzle. I am not exactly sure what it is - some sort of meta instability, perhaps - but it is found across every image of the game I have looked at so far. It's not there in FSR 3.1 either, to be fair, and I also found that in some areas, DLSS resolves moving geometry with less aliasing.

This also bears out when you compare a rapidly moving object. PSSR does a better job than FSR in movement, but against DLSS it does not anti-alias as well. Another thing you can notice about PSSR is how it produces a softer image than DLSS. Nvidia's upscaler no longer has an inherent post-process sharpener that is built into the model anymore, instead only having games add it if they want it. And even with post-process sharpening off, I think we can see how the resolve of PSSR is noticeably softer. This can be viewed as a detriment, but I found it highly preferable to instances where Ratchet's in-game post-process sharpener is ramped to the max. Of course, the resolve of a reconstruction technique is essentially subjective and a matter of personal taste.

Comparing against FSR 3.1 and DLSS is one thing, but how about PS5 Pro PSSR vs the standard PS5's IGTI upscaler - we've got that one covered here.Watch on YouTube

Less subjective is something curious I noted - ray tracing ghosting on the PS5 Pro version of Ratchet and Clank, seen in its RT reflections. Ray tracing meshing with image reconstruction is complex, and the noise pattern input into the reconstruction can have a huge impact on the output image. Insomniac says that the sampling pattern is customised for PSSR to better mesh with it. Even if the reflections in movement have negative aspects, there can be better stability in certain aspects. For example, on lower quality settings, checkerboard RT reflections clearly shows checkerboard artefacts with DLSS. PSSR merges the checkerboard correctly, delivering a higher resolution output.

Beyond these differences, we will need more time with PSSR in this - and other - titles to deliver a more definitive verdict. Based on today's testing, there are areas where PSSR is vastly superior to FSR 3.1, the technology it is most frequently likely to replace and to the eye, it's easily preferable. Assuming these differences translate to other games, PS5 Pro owners can appreciate significantly improved upscaling quality. The issues with stability are something to watch in the future, to see if it presents in other games, and if it's not, whether it's improved in future iterations of PSSR.

But perhaps it's games like Alan Wake 2 that will best prove its worth: an internal 864p in its 60fps performance mode, upscaled to full 4K is a daunting task for the tech - and we're looking forward to testing this, along with other titles that have perhaps pushed FSR technology too far on the standard PS5 and Xbox consoles. The PS5 Pro's November 7th release date draws closer, and we'll have more coverage as soon as we can.

Read this next

seductrice.net
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
prowp.net
webmanicura.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
kftz5k.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
casino-natali.com
iprofit-internet.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
healthandfitnesslives.com
androidnews-jp.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
britsmile.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
rajasthancarservices.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
hemendekor.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com