Is Sony’s New PS5 Power Saver Mode a Glimpse Into the Future?
Sony recently introduced a new “Power Saver” mode for select first-party PS5 titles, and it’s stirring up a lot of conversation. On the surface, it’s a fantastic green initiative designed to slash the console’s energy consumption. Digital Foundry’s recent tests show it can cut power usage by nearly 50%. But many in the gaming community believe there’s a secondary motive at play: this mode might be our very first look at how games will run on a rumored PlayStation handheld.
So, is this just an eco-friendly feature, or is Sony testing the waters for its next-gen portable console? Let’s break down what we know.
What Exactly is Power Saver Mode?
This new feature is an option that developers can add to their games to make them run using significantly less electricity. The goal is to reduce the PS5’s power draw by custom-tuning each game to operate within a lower power profile. This involves throttling the CPU, GPU, and memory bandwidth. The result? Your PS5 uses about half the energy it normally would, which is great for your electricity bill and the environment.
Digital Foundry put the mode to the test with two major titles, Demon’s Souls and Days Gone Remastered, revealing two different approaches to achieving these power savings.
The Test Results: Two Games, Two Different Strategies
Developers have some flexibility in how they implement power saving, and the first two games to support it showcase this perfectly.
Demon’s Souls: Locking it Down
In the case of Demon’s Souls, the approach is straightforward. When Power Saver mode is active, the game locks into a single setting: 1440p resolution at 30 frames per second (fps). This is a departure from its usual 4K/30fps cinematic mode or 1440p/60fps performance mode. The power consumption drops impressively from around 200 watts to just 100 watts. However, it’s not a perfectly smooth ride. Unlike the standard modes, the 30fps target in power-saving mode can experience some occasional frame drops during intense moments.
Days Gone Remastered: A More Dynamic Approach
Days Gone Remastered demonstrates a more flexible method. Instead of locking the settings, it dynamically adjusts them to save power. When running in its 60fps performance mode, the resolution can be reduced, and visual details like foliage density and ambient occlusion are scaled back. While it targets 60fps, it can hover in the low 40s and 50s during demanding scenes. Power consumption sees a similar 50% reduction, dropping from about 235 watts to 115 watts.
The Handheld Connection: Is This Our First PS6 Portable Preview?
This is where things get really interesting. The throttled performance profile of the PS5 in Power Saver mode puts it in a similar ballpark, spec-wise, to what a potential PlayStation handheld might feature. It’s a compelling theory that Sony is using this mode as a real-world testbed for optimizing games for lower-power mobile hardware.
Adding fuel to the fire, Sony’s developer documentation reportedly encourages the use of Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to smooth out the performance fluctuations seen in this mode. This strongly suggests that a future handheld device could feature a VRR display to make games feel smoother, even if they can’t maintain a locked frame rate. For example, Digital Foundry noted that Days Gone in power-saving mode is considered “VRR friendly,” which would help mitigate the dips below 60fps.
Conclusion: A Green Initiative or a Handheld Teaser?
So, what’s the final verdict? The PS5’s Power Saver mode is most likely both. It’s a genuine and effective effort by Sony to reduce the console’s carbon footprint, which is a commendable goal. At the same time, it serves as an invaluable tool for developers-and Sony-to understand how to scale down demanding PS5 games for a less powerful form factor.
While the performance trade-offs might not be appealing for everyone playing on a big screen today, the power-saving techniques being perfected could be essential for making a future PlayStation handheld a success. We’re getting a greener console experience now and, just maybe, a sneak peek at the future of PlayStation on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the PS5 Power Saver mode?
It’s a new feature for select PS5 games that reduces the console’s power consumption by about 50%. It does this by running the game with throttled CPU, GPU, and memory performance.
2. How much power does it actually save?
Tests by Digital Foundry show significant savings. In Demon’s Souls, power draw dropped from around 200W to 100W. In Days Gone Remastered, it went from about 235W down to 115W.
3. How does it affect game performance?
It varies by game. Demon’s Souls locks to 1440p resolution and 30fps, with some occasional frame drops. Days Gone Remastered dynamically lowers its resolution and visual settings, causing its 60fps target to sometimes dip into the 40s and 50s.
4. Is this mode a preview for a PlayStation handheld?
Many believe so. The reduced performance profile is similar to what a handheld console might use. Sony is also encouraging developers to use Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) with this mode, which hints that a future portable may have a VRR screen to smooth out performance.
5. Which games support Power Saver mode?
Currently, it’s available for select first-party titles, with Demon’s Souls and Days Gone Remastered being the first to be tested and analyzed. More compatible titles are expected to be announced.
6. Is the performance stable in Power Saver mode?
Not entirely. Tests have shown that both Demon’s Souls and Days Gone Remastered can experience frame rate drops during demanding gameplay moments that aren’t present in their standard performance modes.