4 Ways to Boost PS8 Performance

If you own a PS4 or even a PS4 Pro, you might be wondering how to get the best out of your system.While you can't upgrade your PS4 like you would a gaming PC, there are ways to ensure your PS4 is running at its best.

Let's take a look at how to make your PS4 run faster.

1. Make sure there is enough free disk space

One of the most common reasons for poor PS4 performance is running out of disk space.The size of modern games, combined with screenshots of your saved videos, can easily fill up the available space without realizing it.

To see what's taking up space on your PS4, head to Settings > Storage > System Storage and you'll see a bar graph by category.Games are likely to be the most space-intensive, so select "Applications" to display the list of installed ones.

Next, click "Options" and select "Sort By" > "Size" so you can tackle the low-hanging fruit first.Select "Delete" from the options menu and tick all the games you want to delete.After confirmation, it will take a moment to delete the selected data.

Deleting a PS4 game's data will not delete that game's save data, as this information is saved separately.However, if you want to play the game again, you'll need to reinstall it from the PlayStation Store or disc.Either way, you'll need to re-download the latest update to play online.If you have a slow internet connection, think carefully about which games to remove.

When you're done deleting, go back to the main "Storage" menu and see how much space you've gained.You're also free to delete other types of data, like old videos from the Capture Gallery -- though they probably won't be big enough to make a big difference.

Ideally, you should keep at least 50GB free.But to keep your PS4 running well, it's best to have 100GB free if you can control it.

2. Physically clean your PlayStation 4

If your PS4 has been in use for a while, it's likely that dust and other dirt has accumulated inside.If left unchecked, performance can suffer—debris can build up more heat in the system, and system fans have to work harder, reducing overall efficiency.

You should clean your PS4 to remove any dust from inside it.Hope this helps your system run cooler and run games more smoothly.

While you're thinking about this, also make sure your PS4 is in a healthy position.Don't place it in a closed space where it can generate heat, and make sure you don't place the console against other surfaces or objects that could block the vents.

3. Rebuild the PS4 system database

If you've ever wondered why your PS4 is so slow, especially in menus, then this option is for you.In case you didn't know, the PS4's Safe Mode interface has a utility called "Rebuild Database."This process is not as intensive as hard drive defragmentation.Instead, it tells the system where relevant data for games and services is, making access more efficient.

While this probably won't improve your gaming performance, it will reduce the home screen lag that's common when using the PS4 for extended periods of time.Doing this will also make your PS4 check for updates for games you haven't played in a while (restart when the process is complete).

To rebuild the PS4 system database, turn off the PS4 completely by holding down the PS button on the controller, then select Power > Shut Down PS4 from the quick menu. After the light on the PS4 turns off, press and hold the physical power button on the front of the console for a few seconds.After the second beep, the PS4 will boot into Safe Mode.

Connect the handle to the system with a USB cable, then click the PS button on the handle to use it.Select Rebuild Database, confirm the action, and wait for completion.

This usually doesn't take too long.When complete, the system will reboot.This process won't delete any data, but it will make the system forget about the games you've played recently.As a result, recent games won't appear on the home screen until you launch them again.

4. Enable Boost Mode (PS4 Pro)

If you have a PS4 Pro, there is a setting called "Boost Mode" that you should definitely enable for a smoother PS4 experience.This improves the frame rate (aka FPS) and graphical fidelity of games on the system, even if they weren't specifically designed to take advantage of the PS4 Pro's superior hardware.

For example, it might increase a game's frame rate from 30FPS to 60FPS, speed up load times, or reduce graphics pop-ups.The effect varies by game, not all games support it, but many will run better with it enabled.

To enable enhanced mode, go to Settings > System on the home screen.In this menu, you should see a "Boost Mode" option.Just enable this feature and you're ready to go.

5. Install the latest game update

If you're experiencing poor performance with a PlayStation game, it's a good idea to install the game's existing update.Typically, developers release patches to fix things like slower frame rates, faster loading times, and the like.

For games you play regularly, your PS4 should do this automatically; it will also check for updates when launching games you haven't played in a while.If your system isn't always online, though, you can manually update by pressing the "Options" button on your controller while selecting a game on the home screen, then selecting "Check for Updates."

If you've had issues playing the game in the past, try this to see if the developer has fixed the issue you're having.

6. Upgrade to an SSD or faster HDD

The PS4's existing 5400RPM hard drive isn't particularly fast, so loading games can take a while.Therefore, you can consider upgrading the PS4 internal hard drive to a 7200RPM hard drive, a hybrid hard drive, or even a solid-state drive.

While this will provide some benefits in load times, it won't make a huge difference otherwise.Games will load faster, but it won't improve graphics performance or other aspects of gameplay.

This is especially true of the original PS4 and PS4 Slim.Both models use a SATA II interface for their drives, which doesn't offer as much throughput as the newer SATA III interface on the PS4 Pro.So, while there are some benefits to using an SSD on an older PS4, it won't make much of a difference.

SSDs are also more expensive, so in most cases you're better off spending your money on a larger drive that can hold more games.

7. Check individual game settings

While most console games don't offer as wide a range of graphics settings as PC games, some of them let you change options that affect how the game works (or at least how it looks).

For example, some games allow you to change the FOV (field of view), so you can see more of the game world without changing your character's perspective.You can also choose to disable VSync and other graphics tools.

While not every game has these options, tweaking them can sometimes make the game feel more comfortable, or improve game performance slightly.

8. Improve PS4 network performance

Here, we're primarily concerned with graphics performance and PS4 speed.But if you're having trouble playing online games on your PlayStation 4, you may need to fix network issues on your PS4.

Going through these fixes will help if you get disconnected while playing an online game or experience a stable online game.

Get the best performance possible on your PS4

Remember, the PS4 launched in 2013 (PS4 Pro in 2016), so it's pretty dated by now.Over time, games will become more demanding and aging hardware will struggle to keep up.

While you can't physically upgrade your PS4, keep these tips in mind to keep your PS4 in great shape.