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For a PS5 game designed to run at 60 frames per second, a display that accepts a 60 Hz signal is enough. A 120 Hz television or monitor is optional: it matters only when a game and the PS5 output mode can use a higher refresh rate. Choose between a TV and monitor according to seating distance, screen size, resolution, available HDMI inputs and whether features such as VRR or ALLM are useful to you.
Start with the frame-rate requirement
“60 FPS” describes how many complete frames the game produces each second. “60 Hz” describes how many refresh cycles the display can perform each second. For a stable 60 FPS target, the practical baseline is a display that supports 60 Hz at the resolution you intend to use.
A 120 Hz panel does not make every PS5 game render at 120 FPS. The game must include a 120-frame-per-second mode, and the console, display input, cable and settings must all support that mode. If you mainly play titles that target 60 FPS, paying extra for 120 Hz is a choice about future flexibility and compatible modes, not a requirement for the frame rate you selected.
- 60 Hz: sufficient for a game targeting 60 FPS.
- 120 Hz: optional headroom for games and modes that output above 60 FPS.
- VRR: an optional synchronization feature for compatible PS5 output and displays.
- ALLM: an optional television feature that can switch to a low-latency game mode when supported.
Sony documents PS5 output at up to 4K/120 Hz when the display and game support it. PlayStation’s monitor guidance likewise describes PS5 output up to 120 Hz on compatible games and displays. Those are capability limits, not a promise that every title uses the mode.
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- The 180Hz refresh rate minimizes lag for gameplay with ultra-smooth action. Plus, the 1ms response time helps capture your moves in real-time, allowing you to react fast for gaming precision
- AMD FreeSync reduces choppiness, screen lag and image tearing, ensuring that your fast-paced, complex in-game action is stable with minimal stutter
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Choose a TV or monitor from your room and seating position
The best form factor is determined first by where you play. A TV normally suits a sofa or shared room where several people view the screen. A monitor usually suits a desk, shorter viewing distance and a single player. Neither is a universal winner for PS5 60 FPS gaming; compare the complete signal path and your physical setup instead of choosing by category alone.
| Decision factor | TV tends to fit when… | Monitor tends to fit when… |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing distance | You sit several feet away or share the screen. | You sit close at a desk. |
| Screen size | You want a larger image for couch gaming. | You prefer a compact screen that fits a desk. |
| Resolution choice | You want 4K at a larger size and have the budget and viewing distance to appreciate it. | You are considering 1080p or 1440p at a desk, or a smaller 4K panel. |
| Refresh-rate extras | You want a TV with optional 120 Hz, VRR or ALLM. | You want a monitor with a specified refresh rate and console-compatible HDMI input. |
| Inputs and routing | You may connect a sound system, streaming devices and the PS5. | You may use one direct HDMI connection and switch between a PC and PS5. |
These are use-case distinctions, not performance rankings. Official compatibility pages establish what PS5 can output, but they do not establish a universal latency, response-time, image-quality or panel-type winner between TVs and monitors. Check the exact model specification before buying.
Pick the resolution that matches your distance, size and budget
PS5 supports several output resolutions. The meaningful choice for a 60 FPS player is whether the extra detail of 4K is worthwhile in your room, whether 1440p is a better desk-sized compromise, or whether 1080p is the sensible lower-cost option.
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1080p can be a practical choice for a smaller monitor, a tight budget or a setup where you sit far enough away that higher resolution is less noticeable. It does not prevent a compatible game from targeting 60 FPS. Confirm that the display accepts the PS5’s 1080p signal at 60 Hz.
1440p
1440p, also called QHD, is a documented PS5 output option on compatible displays. Sony specifies that the display must support 1440p at 60 Hz at minimum for that output. A 1440p monitor can therefore be a useful middle ground for desk gaming: more detail than 1080p without requiring a 4K panel.
Do not assume every monitor marketed as “1440p” will behave identically with PS5. Check the manufacturer’s console compatibility information, supported HDMI timings and whether the desired refresh-rate mode is available through HDMI rather than only through DisplayPort.
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- Up to 180Hz: The 180Hz refresh rate speeds up the frames per second to deliver an ultra-smooth 2D motion scene. With a rapid refresh rate of up to 180Hz, Acer Gaming Monitors shorten the time it takes for frame rendering, lower input lag and provide gamers an excellent in-game experience.
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4K
4K is appropriate when you want maximum detail, use a larger screen or sit at a distance where the added resolution is useful. It is not a prerequisite for 60 FPS. A 4K display can run a 60 FPS game at 4K/60 when the game and PS5 mode support that output, while other titles may use a different resolution internally or offer a performance mode.
For 4K/120 Hz, verify the exact HDMI input, cable and display mode. A screen can advertise 120 Hz while only one HDMI port supports the required bandwidth, or while 120 Hz is available at a lower resolution. Read the model’s input table instead of relying on the product name.
| Resolution | When it makes sense | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | Smaller screen, close budget control or a setup where 1080p is visually adequate. | 1080p at 60 Hz through the HDMI input you will use. |
| 1440p | Desk gaming and a balance between detail and cost. | 1440p/60 Hz support at minimum; optional higher-refresh support over HDMI. |
| 4K | Larger screen, greater detail or a viewing distance that benefits from it. | 4K/60 support, and the specific port, cable and mode for 4K/120 if desired. |
Do you need a 120 Hz TV for PS5?
No. You need 120 Hz only if you want to use a game or mode that outputs above 60 FPS, or you value the additional headroom for future compatible titles. For a 60 FPS target, 60 Hz is the required baseline.
When a game offers a 120 FPS mode, the result still depends on the game’s implementation, the PS5 setting, the display’s supported timing and the HDMI connection. A 120 Hz label by itself cannot guarantee that a particular PS5 game will run at 120 FPS.
If you buy 120 Hz for flexibility, treat it as a system feature to verify rather than a visual guarantee. Confirm that the port connected to the PS5 accepts the resolution and refresh rate you want, and that the display does not reserve its high-refresh mode for another input.
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Variable refresh rate (VRR)
VRR dynamically synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the PS5’s graphical output when the console, game, HDMI connection and display are compatible. Sony’s description is specific to HDMI 2.1 VRR-compatible TVs and PC monitors. The effect can vary by display and game, so VRR is an optional refinement rather than a requirement for a steady 60 FPS target.
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- DisplayWidget Center enables easy OSD access and monitor settings adjustments with a mouse.
- USB Type-C hub supports video transmission in DisplayPort signal; can serve as a USB hub, meaning that you can connect your device to your wired peripherals with clutter-free set-up
VRR is most relevant when a game’s frame delivery fluctuates or when you want to use a supported high-refresh mode. It cannot create frames the game does not render, and it cannot make an incompatible HDMI input behave as a VRR input. Check the display manual for its supported VRR range, input restrictions and console settings.
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
ALLM is an option Sony describes for compatible TVs. It can allow the television to select its game-oriented low-latency mode automatically, but the exact feature name and behavior are manufacturer-specific. Some TVs expose an “Auto Low Latency Mode” setting; others describe the behavior under a game mode or HDMI device-control menu.
Because the naming and behavior differ, verify the television’s specifications and on-screen settings. Do not reject a display solely because the phrase “ALLM” is absent from a retailer listing; look for the manufacturer’s description of automatic game-mode switching and confirm it applies to the HDMI port used by the PS5.
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For a 60 FPS setup, the most important specification is not a single marketing term. It is the complete combination of resolution, refresh rate, HDMI input capability and the mode you will actually use.
- Resolution at the intended refresh rate: check whether 4K, 1440p or 1080p is supported at 60 Hz, and whether a higher rate is limited to another resolution.
- HDMI input number and version: identify the physical port that supports your desired signal. A display may have multiple HDMI sockets with different capabilities.
- VRR and ALLM compatibility: confirm whether the feature works with PS5, not merely with a PC or another source.
- Menu and firmware support: look for current firmware notes and settings that enable enhanced HDMI modes.
- Physical fit: measure the stand, desk or wall space and account for the distance at which you will sit.
Response-time numbers, contrast claims and panel labels can be useful when comparing specific models, but the compatibility material available for this question does not provide independent rankings. Treat those figures as model-specific evidence, not as a reason to declare every monitor faster than every TV or one panel type universally best.
Use this buying workflow
- Define the target. Write down whether your priority is 60 FPS only, optional 120 FPS modes, or VRR. If 60 FPS is the only target, mark 60 Hz as the baseline requirement.
- Measure the play position. Note whether you sit at a desk or on a sofa, how far the screen will be, and what size fits comfortably. Choose size around that distance rather than assuming a larger panel is always better.
- Choose a resolution. Select 1080p, 1440p or 4K according to the screen size, distance and budget. If choosing 1440p, require documented PS5 support at 1440p/60 Hz.
- Read the input table. Find the HDMI socket that supports the resolution and refresh rate you want. If you want 4K/120 or VRR, confirm those features on that exact port.
- Check the connection route. Plan a direct PS5-to-display connection first. If you use an audio receiver, switch or capture device, verify that it passes the same signal and features.
- Decide on extras. Add 120 Hz, VRR or ALLM only when the compatible games and hardware justify the cost. Do not pay for a feature you cannot use through the selected input.
- Confirm firmware and settings. Check the manufacturer’s support page for required firmware and any setting such as enhanced HDMI, high-bandwidth mode or game mode.
Set up the PS5 and verify the signal
After connecting the console, use the PS5’s video-output controls to confirm what the display is accepting. Menu wording can change with system software, but the relevant controls are under Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output.
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- Advanced Synchronization Technologies: FreeSync Premium, G-Sync compatible and AdaptiveSync technology delivers a seamless, tear-free gaming experience by enabling VRR (variable refresh rate) by default
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- Connect the PS5 directly to the display’s HDMI input that supports your chosen resolution and refresh rate.
- On the PS5, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output and review the detected resolution and available options.
- If you are testing 1440p, use the PS5’s 1440p output test. Sony requires 1440p/60 Hz support at minimum for that output.
- If you own a 120 Hz display, check the 120 Hz Output setting and test it with a game that explicitly offers a 120 FPS mode.
- If using VRR, enable it on the display first, then enable the PS5 VRR option where available. Confirm the display’s manual lists PS5 or compatible HDMI 2.1 operation.
- For a compatible TV, review the ALLM or automatic game-mode setting and confirm that it applies to the connected HDMI input.
- Launch the game and select its performance or high-frame-rate mode only if that mode is supported by the title. A console-wide 120 Hz setting cannot add a 120 FPS mode to a 60 FPS-only game.
Troubleshoot 4K/120, 1440p or VRR problems
The PS5 shows only 60 Hz
- Check that the game actually offers a higher-refresh mode; the display cannot force one.
- Move the cable to the HDMI input documented for 120 Hz or VRR.
- Review the display’s enhanced or high-bandwidth HDMI setting.
- Connect the PS5 directly to the display, bypassing a receiver, soundbar, switch or capture device that may limit the signal.
- Install current firmware for the display and confirm the PS5 is updated.
4K/120 is unavailable or the picture drops out
Start with the HDMI cable supplied with the PS5, as Sony recommends. If the desired signal still fails, Sony identifies an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable as a general option for high-bandwidth connections. Use an appropriately rated cable only after checking the port, direct connection and settings; replacing a cable should not be the first assumption when the real limitation is an incompatible HDMI input.
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- Verify the cable is fully seated at both ends.
- Try the display’s documented 4K/120-capable HDMI port.
- Remove intermediary devices temporarily.
- Check firmware and enable the display’s enhanced HDMI mode if required.
- Return to the PS5 Video Output menu and test a lower mode, then increase resolution or refresh rate one step at a time.
1440p output does not appear
Confirm that the monitor or TV explicitly supports 1440p at 60 Hz. Some displays accept 1440p from a PC but do not expose the same timing to a PS5. Check the HDMI input specification and run the PS5 1440p output test after connecting directly.
VRR behaves differently between games
Sony notes that VRR effects vary depending on the display and game. Check the game’s supported modes, the display’s VRR range and the HDMI input used. If disabling VRR resolves flicker or an unstable picture, leave it off for that title and use the game’s ordinary 60 Hz mode.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common buying mistakes
Buying 120 Hz solely because the game is “60 FPS”
A 120 Hz panel is not required to show 60 FPS. Buy it for compatible high-frame-rate games, VRR headroom or future flexibility, not because the number automatically improves a 60 FPS title.
Assuming every HDMI port is equivalent
Inputs can differ within the same display. The port beside the one you used for a set-top box may be the only one that supports the desired 4K/120 or VRR mode. Read the port table and label the correct socket before mounting the screen.
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A monitor may list a high refresh rate achieved through DisplayPort while offering a lower limit through HDMI. PS5 uses HDMI, so evaluate the HDMI specification and console compatibility, not the headline refresh rate alone.
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- 27” QHD IPS DISPLAY: Enjoy stunning detail and vibrant color with a 2560x1440 Quad HD resolution on a 27-inch IPS panel, offering wide viewing angles and precise image quality.
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- ENHANCED GAMING FEATURES: Includes Shadow Control, Game Mode presets, and a user-friendly graphical OSD menu for fast and intuitive performance tuning.
Assuming a bigger screen is automatically better
Screen size must match viewing distance. A very large display at a short desk distance can be uncomfortable, while a small screen across a room may make detail difficult to appreciate. Measure first and choose resolution and size together.
Replacing the cable before checking the signal path
The included PS5 cable is the correct starting point. Check the input, direct connection, firmware and settings before buying another cable. Upgrade to an appropriately rated Ultra High Speed HDMI cable only when the desired mode requires it or the existing cable is demonstrably the problem.
Practical choices for different players
Desk player focused on 60 FPS
Choose a monitor that supports your preferred 1080p or 1440p resolution at 60 Hz through HDMI. Prioritize a comfortable size for your desk and a clearly documented PS5 input. VRR and 120 Hz can be added if compatible games matter to you, but neither is necessary for a 60 FPS target.
Couch player who wants the option of 120 FPS modes
Choose a TV with a documented 120 Hz mode on the HDMI port you will use. Confirm the model’s 4K/120 support, firmware requirements, VRR compatibility and any ALLM behavior. Keep expectations tied to individual games: the TV enables the mode, but the game determines whether it outputs above 60 FPS.
Budget-conscious player
Spend first on a correctly supported 60 Hz display at a suitable size and resolution. A 1440p display is worth considering when its PS5 compatibility is explicit; otherwise, a well-supported 1080p or 4K/60 option may be safer than an inexpensive panel with ambiguous HDMI timings.
Player sharing a screen with other devices
Count the HDMI inputs you need and identify which one supports the PS5 mode. If you plan to add a receiver, soundbar or switch, verify that the entire chain passes the resolution, refresh rate and VRR features you selected.
Final purchase checklist
- Does the display support 60 Hz at the resolution you will use?
- If choosing 1440p, does it explicitly support PS5 1440p/60 Hz output?
- If choosing 120 Hz, does the exact HDMI input support the desired resolution at 120 Hz?
- Does the game you care about include a 120 FPS or other high-refresh mode?
- Is VRR supported on the PS5-compatible HDMI input, and do you need it?
- Does the TV document ALLM or automatic game-mode behavior?
- Will the screen size suit your desk or seating distance?
- Can your receiver, switch or other intermediary pass the same signal?
- Have you identified the correct cable and checked firmware and enhanced HDMI settings?
For 60 FPS PS5 gaming, buy the display that reliably supports your chosen resolution at 60 Hz and fits your room. Move to 120 Hz, VRR or ALLM when a specific game, setup or future-use requirement justifies those features, and verify every part of the HDMI path before assuming a higher specification will work.
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