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PS4 update brings boost mode, external storage support and more

Written by James Delahunty @ 08 Mar 2017 7:28 User comments (6)

PS4 update brings boost mode, external storage support and more Sony is releasing the PS4 4.50 update which will bring some nice new features to PS4 consoles.
It was no secret that Sony was bringing support for USB 3.0 external hard disk drives to the console (min capacity of 256GB, max capacity of 8TB). With the update, users can set their external drive as storage for games and apps and can easily transfer data from the internal hard drive to the external drive.

The update also brings Boost Mode to the PS4 Pro which can improve the performance of legacy titles that have not been have not been patched to take advantage of the PS4 Pro's faster CPU and its faster and double-sized GPU. This can provide a noticeable frame rate boost to some games with variable frame rates, and can provide frame rate stability for games that are programmed to run at 30 Hz or 60 Hz.

Boost Mode can also result in shorter load times, but it is not guaranteed to work on all games. You can enable it in Settings, under System.

Other improvements include GIF support, custom wallpaper, voice chat for Remote Play, improvements to resolution under PS VR and more.



Below is a video detailing the update.

Tags: PS4 PS4.5 PS4 Pro
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6 user comments

110.3.2017 12:51

All crap that DOES NOT make the PS4 more "enticing"

Fluff......that's what everything is in this world of tech. We've stagnated so long and so badly, there's nothing to invent, so every body reinvents the wheel.......sometimes unnecessarily at the very core.


***OH.....and "thanks" Sony for fixing your own gaming system's shortcoming that should NEVER HAVE EXISTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. No pats on the back for Sony for "doing the right thing" and making good on your promise that the PS4 can play Sony's legacy games.

Talk about "tootin' your own horn" B.S.!

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 12 Mar 2017 @ 10:57

211.3.2017 07:35

I agree, this "enticing" feature for external storage should have been implemented from the start. The "enticing" feature for boost mode is a load of shit, if Sony never restricted the power of the console in the first place. I honestly don't get why they don't take on more backlash. Like Sony's complete ignorance on leaving out the SPDIF port on the PS4 slim - and not enabling HDMI output to connect to a receiver without a damn 3rd party box - what kind of backwards thinking is that?

Nintendo went backwards too and nobody seems to care it's not all that more impressive than a VITA, less so given you can't copy/paste/move save files over. Why not have games save on the cartridge?

What is there to gain from such restrictions on any device? Nintendo fear piracy so badly they plan to make a read-only system next. I can't even dwell on the stupid Sony decisions of late. I could pick on MS, but at least their device works as advertised but it's not like they haven't been caught making ignorant choices too.

312.3.2017 11:11

Originally posted by Mysttic:
I agree, this "enticing" feature for external storage should have been implemented from the start. The "enticing" feature for boost mode is a load of shit, if Sony never restricted the power of the console in the first place. I honestly don't get why they don't take on more backlash. Like Sony's complete ignorance on leaving out the SPDIF port on the PS4 slim - and not enabling HDMI output to connect to a receiver without a damn 3rd party box - what kind of backwards thinking is that?

Nintendo went backwards too and nobody seems to care it's not all that more impressive than a VITA, less so given you can't copy/paste/move save files over. Why not have games save on the cartridge?

What is there to gain from such restrictions on any device? Nintendo fear piracy so badly they plan to make a read-only system next. I can't even dwell on the stupid Sony decisions of late. I could pick on MS, but at least their device works as advertised but it's not like they haven't been caught making ignorant choices too.


I think most of the people who actually cared about features, freedom, etc gave up on Sony about the time they threatened to sue a guy for trying to install Linux on a system that was sold as supporting Linux. Anyone who would care that Sony was disabling features for no good reason is either gaming on PC/Xbone or is too ashamed to admit they were suckered by Sony again.

414.3.2017 00:47

The only thing I thought was pretty ridiculous not to have at launch was a media player, which they didn't add until almost a year later. It's still a bit silly it won't play CDs, but only weirdos like me still buy those, I guess. :-)

514.3.2017 12:11

Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
The only thing I thought was pretty ridiculous not to have at launch was a media player, which they didn't add until almost a year later. It's still a bit silly it won't play CDs, but only weirdos like me still buy those, I guess. :-)
I think that CDs are still pretty common in Japan...where Sony headquarters are.

623.3.2017 21:43

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Kenwood Excelon DDX6902S:This seem system includes a great orientation for personal computers and absolutely great amplification. The subwoofer has 130 watts of potency and also the loudspeakers have 35 watts of potency.

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