Upscaling 1080p to 1440p and downscaling 1440p to 1080p. Is it the same thing?

[Desolate Eden]

Tried asking in off-topic, but couldn't get any answers.

Context:

I'm asking because PS5 currently doesn't support 1440p, still waiting on the firmware update coming later this year. My monitor is 1440p so im by default brought down to 1080p while on the ps5.

Will there be a difference in clarity playing a 1080p locked game on a downscaled 1080p resolution from 1440p compared to when the firmware update comes out and my ps5 will be able to support my native 1440p resolution but the game is still 1080p?

talking about bloodborne in particular here, wanting to understand if its better to wait for the 1440p update before playing it or to play it now, or will it make no difference? seeing as the game doesnt go above 1080p regardless.

Sorry, i reallise this is kinda convoluted and might be hard to understand lol

[Hugh J nuss]

Playing 1080p on a 1440 monitor works fine, its just blurrier

[Desolate Eden]

Is 1080p upscaled to 1440p less clear than downscaling 1440p to 1080? Or is it the same?

[xSOSxHawkens]

1080p source output at 1080p to a native 1440p will look ok but less than perfect. Think 7/10

1080p source output at 1440p to a native 1440p will either look the same as above or better. How close to full native it gets comes down to the quality of the upscaling tech (fsr/dlss/PS5 equivalency). Think between 7-9 out of 10.

Full native 1440p source with full 1440p output to 1440p screen is 10/10 in this case.

[Agent]

It really should have been a thing from launch, but it's the typical Sony attitude.

[Der tüddelige Fußgänger]

i would personally always downscale, rather than upscale, because downscaling is going to get rid of aliasing, as downscaling from a higher res is the best form of anti-aliasing available, tho also the most resource intensive.

[🦜Cloud Boy🦜]

Upscaling 1080p to 1440p means that the base output resolution is 1080p, then the image is upscaled to 1440p to match the TV's resolution. A 1080p image is stretched to 1440p, So the picture quality will be worse.

Downscaling 1440p to 1080p means that the base output resolution is 1440p, then the image is downscaled to 1080p to match the TV's resolution. Here, a 1440p image has been shrunken to 1080p, So the picture quality will be better.

[Desolate Eden]

Originally posted by 🦆Cloud Boy🦆:

Upscaling 1080p to 1440p means that the base output resolution is 1080p, then the image is upscaled to 1440p to match the TV's resolution. You are stretching a 1080p image to 1440p, So the picture quality will be worse.

Downscaling 1440p to 1080p means that the base output resolution is 1440p, then the image is downscaled to 1080p to match the TV's resolution. Here you concise a 1440p image to 1080p, So the picture quality will be better.

Thanks, my question was mostly regarding whether I will notice improved visuals on a 1440p monitor running at 1440p native resolution playing a game that runs at 1080p, as opposed to playing the same game at a 1080p native resolution.

I think xSOSxHawkens answered it already though, appreciate the help anyway