DLSS 4: Nvidia's Game-Changing AI Upscaling Technology Revolutionizes Gaming Performance

DLSS, XeSS, and FSR will make 8K gaming arrive sooner than we think

Nvidia hasn't been shy to talk gaming at 4K with its RTX 40 and RTX 50 series. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 was the most powerful GPU you could buy and the RTX 5090 has since taken that mantle. These graphics cards are great for enjoying all the latest games at 4K with ultra settings configured, though some titles would prove to be too much of a challenge for high frame rates. That's where Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) comes into play. There are various levels to this technology, but it works wonders for high-fidelity gaming and we could see 8K arrive sooner than we think. DLSS is the future of gaming Source: Nvidia Since DLSS debuted in 2018, the technology has improved alongside Nvidia's Tensor Cores, which handle much of the AI workload. AMD decided to do things differently with FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) by relying on software instead of AI and machine learning. The result was an easy victory for Team Green. FSR has lagged behind Nvidia's frame generation efforts for years and only now is the company working to migrate FSR to machine learning. Intel already worked in AI forXe Super Sampling(XeSS) and looks to follow in Nvidia's footsteps, which is brilliant for the brand's more affordable GPUs. The GeForce RTX 5090 is the current Nvidia flagship and most powerful GPU. We've yet to get our hands on the card, but reviews have already been published with a consensus on the stellar performance. It's working well with all the latest AI tech to improve the overall performance without having to jack up power draw with beefier specifications. That is something we'll likely see Nvidia do with future generations, but it's all about AI and machine learning for the RTX 50. Now, all this performance comes at a price, a rather steep one at that. Nvidia is charging $1,999 for the luxury. Related Nvidia's GeForce RTX 50 series promises RTX 4090 performance for $549 It's like an RTX 4090 only much more powerful and with considerably more RAM. Posts 7 At that price, one would expect the single computer component to work as intended at higher resolutions. 4K is already possible with not only the RTX 4090 and AMD's RX 7900 series, but you'll need the RTX 4090 and its sheer raw performance to enjoy smooth gameplay with all the visual settings cranked up higher. Even this $1,999 GPU can struggle with the most demanding games. That's where DLSS comes into play by bolstering what's possible with limited hardware. Most RTX 30, 40, and now 50 series cards will receive a sizeable boost to frame rates with DLSS enabled. Nvidia was all about AI at CES 2025 and its RTX 50 series focuses on the machine learning and AI backend to aid the CUDA cores in processing as many frames as possible. The more frames that can be generated by the GPU outside of the normal pipeline, the smoother the gameplay should be even with ray tracing and other demanding features enabled. DLSS is the future of gaming because of this, whether you agree or disagree with its prominence in the gaming world. And the technology has greatly improved over the years, as is shown in the below comparison between no DLSS, DLSS 2, DLSS 3.5, and DLSS 4. Source: Nvidia I was among the many who weren't too impressed by the first few generations of DLSS but have come to appreciate what Nvidia has achieved, especially compared to what AMD has available with FSR 3. DLSS 4 is set to take everything up a notch with enhanced frame generation and newer cores on the architecture side. Related Mini-LED vs. OLED Monitors: Is OLED the future of gaming? PC gamers are always looking for the best products, and it seems OLED may be taking the crown. Posts 8K will require frame generation Many of us haven't even migrated to 4K monitors for gaming, let alone 8K, but it's on the horizon and becoming far more acceptable concerning current GPU technologies. Nvidia switched to a new transformer-based AI upscaling method, which should help deal with the pesky visual anomalies that can ruin the immersive gaming experience. The company is banking big on AI so you can expect to see fine-tuning and further driver updates to make the upscaling and frame generation even better as this GPU generation matures. And you're going to require these technologies when moving to 8K. 4K alone requires DLSS and other features to be enabled, especially when working with ray and path tracing. 8K is demanding enough as a baseline, let alone with everything in-game cranked to ultra settings and advanced realistic lighting effects in play. 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM also helps the RTX 5090 in the 8K department. If you thought 4K textures and other stuff the GPU needs to store on the card are heavy, wait until you see what the next leap up in resolutions requires. Related Is 4K really worth it for gaming in 2024? 4K seems like the last word in modern PC gaming. But are you losing out on more than you're gaining? Posts The RTX 50 series is impressive. That much we've seen from reviews, but it's the DLSS and new Multi Frame Generation technologies that are the driving force of Nvidia's graphics advancements. 8K gaming is coming and we'll see those with range-topping PC builds achieve decent frame rates playing games at this resolution, but it can only really be done with Nvidia hardware for now. AMD should be prepping something special with FSR 4 and I've got high hopes for the future of Intel Arc, so we can place bets that 8K gaming will arrive sooner now that it's technically possible with solid results.

I saw Nvidia's new DLSS 4 in action on the RTX 5090 and it's a true game changer - here's why

The super resolution performance mode has seen a significant boost in terms of image quality and clarity After its long-awaited reveal at CES 2025, Nvidia's RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards have now officially launched, which has opened the gateway to improved performance across numerous games with both more raw power and better Frame Generation over the last RTX 4000 series generation - but from what I've seen first hand after sitting down with Team Green at its office in Reading, its biggest enhancements stem from its work on DLSS 4. DLSS 4 is now available on all RTX GPUs with support for titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2, and Hogwarts Legacy - but a new feature, DLSS Override, allows users to utilize DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation (the latter of which is exclusive to RTX 5000 series GPUs) in games that don't have native support yet. While that's great to hear, you might be wondering why DLSS 4 is receiving so much praise from other users (and myself). I didn't personally review the RTX 5090 for TechRadar, but having now seen DLSS 4 in action running on the GPU thanks to Nvidia's press invite, I can tell you that DLSS 4's new transformer model is a genuine game changer. With the previous CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) model for older DLSS versions, ghosting and smearing were a big issue and part of the reason many worried about upscaling becoming the quick fix for game developers (which I do still believe is true to a degree) - but with this new transformer model, the likes of DLSS 4's performance mode is visually on par if not better than DLSS 3's quality mode (despite having a lower internal resolution). It's evident in the gif above showing Alan Wake 2 (and in Nvidia's video below), along with my first tests in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PC despite its current crashing and stability issues (based on current Steam reviews), as results were consistent - for once, I could actually use DLSS performance mode without feeling disgusted by slightly - but noticeably - blurry image quality with flickering and ghosting in every sequence. This is all possible thanks to the new transformer AI model, which significantly enhances image clarity and stability, especially in motion, with Insomniac's title taking advantage of Nvidia's 'ray reconstruction' feature in this case. I continuously flicked back and forth between the quality and performance modes, assuming my eyes were playing tricks on me, but believe me, the latter is truly that good. The same applies to scenarios where Frame Generation for RTX 4000 series GPUs or Multi Frame Generation for RTX 5000 series GPUs is in use - as I said, input lag and ghosting were the two biggest constraints of DLSS 3's frame-gen, and this has now been addressed with DLSS 4 along with Reflex 2 (which I saw significantly reduced input lag in competitive games like Marvel Rivals), which Nvidia confirmed will first be available to RTX 5000 series GPUs before coming to older graphics cards. While the demos showcased to me were with the new generation's flagship GPU (which is unsurprisingly a powerhouse), this makes the 'Overdrive' path tracing preset in Cyberpunk 2077 on RTX 4000 or maybe even 3000 series GPUs possible - those with access to frame-gen will certainly yield even better frame rates, but the transformer super-resolution model set to performance mode will make it playable on GPUs that don't have access to frame gen, without compromising image quality like the CNN model did. Now, considering my stance on concerns about game developers taking their hands off the wheel in terms of game optimization on PC, DLSS 4 has genuinely lightened my worries - at least by a bit. While I'm still absolutely adamant that PC ports should launch without the drastic performance issues found in games like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, DLSS 4's performance mode (which has always been great at providing better performance in previous iterations of DLSS) now maintains fantastic image quality with the new transformer model. In unfortunate cases where games are still poorly optimized, I have a strong feeling that DLSS 4 will work wonders with patching things up where necessary - and with DLSS Override, this can effectively be done with minimal effort on the developer's part, although manual implementation will still be ideal. It's especially the case for those who own an RTX 4000 series or 5000 series GPU with access to frame generation (and there's still a chance frame-gen could come to RTX 3000 GPUs), as the enhancements made to the original Frame Generation model reduce VRAM consumption to boost performance across the board. I've already acknowledged that AI upscaling is most likely the future of gaming - as much as that makes me nervous about game development, Nvidia has done a great job here at potentially helping future cases of bad PC ports, while also catering to older GPUs. In my eyes, that's worth heaps of praise - keep doing good stuff like this, okay Nvidia?

DLSS 4 vs DLSS 3 vs FSR 3 Performance Review : Which AI Upscaling Tech Reigns Supreme?

Gaming has always been about immersion -- those breathtaking visuals, fluid movements, and the feeling of stepping into another world. But let's be honest, achieving that level of perfection often comes with compromises, whether it's sacrificing performance for visuals or shelling out for the latest hardware. If you've ever squinted at blurry textures, cursed at ghosting during fast-paced action, or wondered if your GPU could handle the next big release, you're not alone. These frustrations are all too familiar to gamers, and they're exactly what NVIDIA's DLSS technology has been striving to solve. With the arrival of DLSS 4, the stakes have been raised yet again, promising a gaming experience that's sharper, smoother, and more accessible than ever. But how does DLSS 4 stack up against its predecessor, DLSS 3, or its competitors like AMD's FSR 3 and Intel's XeSS? And more importantly, what does it mean for you as a gamer? Whether you're exploring the neon-lit streets of Cyberpunk 2077 or battling through the dense foliage of Star Wars Outlaws, NVIDIA's latest innovation claims to deliver visuals that not only rival but often surpass native 4K rendering -- all while being kinder to your hardware. In this review, IGN break down the advancements, compare the competition, and explore how DLSS 4 could redefine what's possible in gaming. DLSS 4 introduces a paradigm shift by replacing traditional convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with Vision Transformer models. This change enables a more comprehensive frame-wide analysis and precise pixel-level processing, allowing DLSS 4 to handle twice as much data per frame compared to DLSS 3. The result is a significant improvement in temporal stability, reduced ghosting, and sharper image reconstruction. Key advancements include: These improvements ensure that even complex visual elements, such as dynamic lighting and subpixel details, are rendered with exceptional accuracy, offering a more immersive gaming experience. DLSS 4 consistently outperforms its competitors by delivering visuals that often exceed native 4K rendering in both clarity and stability. Using advanced AI-driven upscaling, DLSS 4 achieves sharper images and smoother performance compared to AMD's FSR 3 and Intel's XeSS, while maintaining a balance between quality and efficiency. Performance highlights include: In contrast, FSR 3 struggles with softer images and noticeable ghosting, while XeSS often suffers from oversharpening and flickering. DLSS 4 addresses these shortcomings, delivering a polished and balanced gaming experience. DLSS 4's capabilities are particularly evident in demanding gaming scenarios, where it provides noticeable enhancements across several high-profile titles. These improvements demonstrate its ability to handle diverse rendering challenges effectively. These game-specific insights highlight DLSS 4's ability to elevate visual fidelity and performance, even in the most graphically intensive scenarios. DLSS 4 is compatible with all NVIDIA RTX GPUs starting from the 20 series, making sure accessibility for a broad range of users. On the latest RTX 5090, DLSS 4 delivers up to a 37% performance improvement over the RTX 4090, showcasing its potential for next-generation gaming. In addition to its performance gains, DLSS 4 optimizes GPU power efficiency, reducing energy consumption while maintaining exceptional image quality. This balance between power and efficiency makes DLSS 4 a practical choice for gamers seeking high-quality visuals without compromising hardware longevity or energy usage. When compared to AMD's FSR 3 and Intel's XeSS, DLSS 4 emerges as the clear leader in AI-driven upscaling. Each technology has its strengths and weaknesses, but DLSS 4 consistently delivers superior results. These comparisons underscore DLSS 4's ability to deliver consistent, high-fidelity results across a variety of gaming scenarios, solidifying its position as the leading AI-powered upscaling solution. DLSS 4 sets a new benchmark for AI-driven rendering, paving the way for future advancements in gaming graphics. Its ability to deliver native 4K-quality visuals with reduced hardware demands highlights the growing importance of AI in modern gaming. As developers continue to adopt and optimize for DLSS 4, future driver updates are expected to unlock even greater potential, making sure that this technology remains at the forefront of gaming innovation. By addressing the limitations of previous technologies and outperforming competitors like FSR 3 and XeSS, DLSS 4 reaffirms NVIDIA's leadership in the field of upscaling technology. For gamers and developers alike, DLSS 4 offers a glimpse into the future of immersive, high-quality gaming experiences.

The new Nvidia App update adds the biggest upgrade to its DLSS tech in five years

I hope you're ready to hear the leaked price of an RTX 5090 PC, because I wasn't Summary Nvidia has released DLSS 4, offering significant improvements to AI models and performance for gamers around the world. The update introduces real-time 'transformers' for better image quality, stability, and performance on RTX 40 and 50 Series GPUs. DLSS 4 provides day zero support for over 75 games, including popular titles like God of War Ragnarök and A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead. After Nvidia showed off the new RTX 50 series, the world has been abuzz with talk about DLSS. Some people have been discussing how the new frame-generation technology can help give the world of graphics technology a boost in the frames department, while others are a little more critical . Now, the company has released DLSS 4 to the app, which the company claims is the biggest upgrade since DLSS 2.0's release in 2020. Related What is RTX Remix? Modding older games with upscaled textures, ray-tracing, and more Nvidia's RTX Remix is here, and you can use it to mod older games with upscaled textures and other cool enhancements. Here's all you need to know! Posts The Nvidia App introduces DLSS 4 for gamers worldwide As announced on the Nvidia blog, the company has now introduced DLSS 4 for general use. If you're not sure how big a jump in AI frame tech this is, Nvidia certainly doesn't mince words: DLSS 4 also introduces the biggest upgrade to its AI models since the release of DLSS 2.0 in 2020. DLSS Super Resolution, DLSS Ray Reconstruction, and DLAA are now powered by the graphics industry's first real-time application of 'transformers', the same advanced architecture powering frontier AI models like ChatGPT, Flux, and Gemini. DLSS transformer models improve image quality with improved temporal stability, less ghosting, and higher detail in motion. Similarly, the DLSS Frame Generation AI model is upgraded, boosting performance and reducing VRAM use on GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs and GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs. The update also introduced DLSS 4 day zero support for over 75 games and apps, and there are some pretty good stand-out titles in the list. I'm personally excited for Dynasty Warriors: Origins support, as I've been clocking in the hours on that game during the past week. You can check out every supported game on Nvidia's list, or you can just check out which games gained support with the latest patch here: DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation: Day 0 Support For Over 75 Games & Apps A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead God of War Ragnarök Redfall Akimbot Gray Zone Warfare Remnant II Aunt Fatima Ground Branch Satisfactory Backrooms: Escape Together Senua's Saga: Hellblade II SCUM Bears In Space HITMAN World of Assassination SILENT HILL 2 Bellwright ICARUS Skye: The Misty Isle Crown Simulator - Royal Life Simulation Immortals of Aveum Slender: The Arrival D5 Render Jusant Squad Deceit 2 JX3 Online RTX Version S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Deep Rock Galactic Kristala Starship Troopers: Extermination Deliver Us Mars Layers of Fear Star Wars Jedi: Survivor DESORDRE: A Puzzle Game Adventure Liminalcore Still Wakes The Deep Desynced: Autonomous Colony Simulator Lords of the Fallen Supermoves Diablo IV Marvel Rivals Tankhead DIRECT CONTACT Microsoft Flight Simulator Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Dragon Age: The Veilguard Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 The Axis Unseen Dungeonborne Mortal Online 2 The Black Pool DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS NARAKA: BLADEPOINT THE FINALS Enlisted Need For Speed Unbound The First Berserker: Khazan Demo Eternal Strands Once Human The First Descendant FINAL FANTASY XVI Outpost: Infinity Siege The Thaumaturge Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Pax Dei Torque Drift 2 Fort Solis PAYDAY 3 TRIBES 3: Rivals Frostpunk 2 Postal 4: No Regerts Witchfire Ghostrunner 2 QANGA World of Jade Dynasty Ready or Not read more