Some PS5 games stutter exactly every eight seconds when VRR is activated and there is no frame rate limit. Investigating the cause is difficult.
Both the PlayStation 5 and the PS5 Pro are currently struggling with an unusual problem: if the VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) feature is activated in the absence of a frame rate limit, the game can stutter quite noticeably.
This is reported by Digital Foundry in their latest YouTube video, citing their own extensive testing. According to the video, a short stutter occurs in a variety of games after 20 to 30 minutes of gameplay. Curiously, this phenomenon can be observed in an exact eight-second rhythm:
The crux of the matter is that, based on the symptoms described, it is extremely difficult to determine the cause of the stuttering problems of the PlayStation 5 (Pro).
For example, there is no common denominator in the affected games. In Digital Foundry’s list, both old and new games can be found, regardless of whether the titles were launched by Sony as the publisher. Among others, Digital Foundry lists the following games as conspicuous:
- Diablo 4
- Elden Ring
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
- Metaphor: Refantazio
- The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2
According to Digital Foundry, a specific TV model can also be ruled out as a cause.
The original submissions from DF viewers focused on possible problems with LG televisions, but according to the experts, the VRR stuttering also occurs with Sony models.
- The same applies to the underlying engine: While Dragon’s Dogma 2 runs without problems according to Digital Foundry, Resident Evil 4, which is also based on the RE Engine, can be found on the list of affected games.
- An incorrect port to the Sony console is also currently ruled out based on Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The Warhorse RPG does show the problems on the PlayStation 5 (Pro), but on the Xbox Series X/S, the use of VRR at an unlimited frame rate does not cause any problems.
