The Best Monitor Settings for PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X (2026 Edition)
Key Takeaway
- Enable the 120Hz Container: Even if a game runs at 60fps, putting it in a 120Hz container cuts input lag by reducing the scanout time of the frame.
- The magic of 40fps modes: 40fps divides perfectly into a 120Hz refresh rate (displaying each frame 3 times). It feels significantly smoother than 30fps without sacrificing 4K resolution.
- Always use HGiG for HDR: Turn off your monitor's dynamic tone mapping. HGiG ensures the console handles the HDR mapping, preventing washed-out highlights.
- Force VRR on unsupported games: Both consoles allow you to force Variable Refresh Rate on games that don't natively support it, eliminating screen tearing.
Gone are the days of simply plugging your console into a TV and pressing play. The PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X are essentially highly optimized gaming PCs, and modern gaming monitors are packed with complex features. If you don't configure your console and monitor to talk to each other correctly, you are leaving performance, visual quality, and competitive advantage on the table. Here is the definitive guide to optimizing your monitor for the current console generation.
1. The 120Hz Container (Crucial for Input Lag)
Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X allow you to output a 120Hz signal, even if the game you are playing is locked at 60fps. Why would you do this? Because of scanout time.
A 60Hz signal takes 16.6 milliseconds to draw a frame from the top of the screen to the bottom. A 120Hz signal draws that same frame in just 8.3 milliseconds. By putting a 60fps game inside a 120Hz "container," the console sends the frame to the monitor twice as fast. This physically reduces your input lag by several milliseconds, making your controller inputs feel noticeably snappier.
How to enable: On PS5, go to Screen and Video > Video Output > 120 Hz Output and set it to "Automatic." On Xbox, go to TV & display options and set the Refresh rate to "120 Hz."
2. The Magic of 40fps Fidelity Modes
Many modern console games offer a "Fidelity" mode (4K at 30fps) and a "Performance" mode (lower resolution at 60fps). But if you have a 120Hz monitor, you unlock a secret third option: the 40fps mode.
Why 40fps? Because 40 divides perfectly into 120 (120 / 40 = 3). The monitor simply displays each frame exactly 3 times. This provides perfectly even frame pacing without any judder. A 40fps mode gives you the stunning 4K visuals of Fidelity mode, but with a 33% reduction in frame time compared to 30fps. It feels drastically smoother and is the best way to play single-player cinematic games.
3. HDR and HGiG (Stop Double Mapping)
If your monitor supports HDR, you need to configure it correctly, or your games will look washed out. The biggest mistake is leaving your monitor's "Dynamic Tone Mapping" enabled.
When you calibrate HDR on your console, the console learns the peak brightness of your monitor. It then maps the game's lighting to fit that brightness. If your monitor also tries to map the lighting (Dynamic Tone Mapping), you get "double mapping," which crushes shadow detail and blows out highlights.
The Fix: Go into your monitor's OSD (On-Screen Display) and find the HDR settings. Look for an option called HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) and enable it. HGiG turns off the monitor's internal mapping and lets the console do all the work, resulting in perfect, creator-intended HDR.
4. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
As discussed in our HDMI 2.1 Guide, VRR is essential. It allows the monitor to adjust its refresh rate on the fly to match the console's frame rate, eliminating screen tearing when a game drops below 60fps or 120fps.
On the PS5, you can actually force VRR on games that don't officially support it. Go to Screen and Video > VRR, set it to "Automatic," and toggle on "Apply to Unsupported Games." This can smooth out performance in older PS4 titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an HDMI 2.1 monitor for PS5 or Xbox Series X?
To get 4K at 120Hz, yes, you need HDMI 2.1. However, you can get 1080p at 120Hz or 1440p at 120Hz using an older HDMI 2.0 monitor.
Why is my PS5 saying my monitor doesn't support 1440p?
Sony added 1440p support late in the PS5's lifecycle. Ensure your console software is updated, and run the "Test 1440p Output" tool in the Video Output settings.
Should I use ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)?
Yes. ALLM simply tells your TV or monitor to automatically switch to its lowest-latency "Game Mode" when you turn on the console. It saves you from having to grab the remote.
Does VRR increase input lag?
No, VRR actually reduces input lag compared to traditional V-Sync because it doesn't force the GPU to wait for the monitor's next refresh cycle.
Why does my screen go black when starting a game?
This is the "HDMI Bonk." It happens when the console switches from the 60Hz dashboard to a 120Hz game, or switches into HDR mode. It is normal unless your TV supports HDMI 2.1b QMS.
How can I test if 120Hz is actually working?
You can use the built-in web browser on your Xbox (or the hidden browser workaround on PS5) to run our Refresh Rate Test below.
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