For avid gamers, the evolution of graphics technology has been nothing short of transformative, with Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) standing out as a pivotal advancement. Since its introduction in 2018 with the GeForce RTX 20-series graphics cards, DLSS has matured significantly, evolving into its fourth iteration. Today, it is almost a standard expectation for modern PC games, particularly those with high graphical demands, to support this technology. Alongside Nvidia’s offering, AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Intel’s Xe Super Sampling (XeSS) have also emerged, providing comparable supersampling solutions.
DLSS initially garnered attention for its ability to upscale lower-resolution images, allowing gamers to enjoy high-quality visuals without sacrificing performance. However, its capabilities have expanded far beyond that. Titles like Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty illustrate how DLSS enhances gameplay by delivering significantly improved frame rates at a reduced performance cost. This allows players to experience higher resolutions and enable advanced graphical effects, such as high-quality shadows and reflections, without a noticeable dip in performance.
How does DLSS work now?
The latest iteration, DLSS 4, debuted alongside Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards in 2025. While some features are exclusive to specific GPU models—such as Frame Generation for the 40-series and Multi-Frame Generation for the 50-series—most DLSS functionalities are compatible with Nvidia cards released in the past five years. The most significant enhancement in DLSS 4 is the introduction of a new transformer model, designed to improve image quality while minimizing blurring and graphical distortion.
Frame Generation, introduced with the RTX 40-series, further elevates performance by generating an additional frame for every frame rendered by the PC. This process, reliant on real-time inferences made by the GPU, effectively creates “AI-generated” frames that enhance the overall fluidity of gameplay. The subsequent launch of the 50-series brought Multi-Frame Generation, which can produce up to three additional frames for each real frame, offering players options to select the desired level of frame enhancement.
While Multi-Frame Generation can sometimes lead to a less responsive gaming experience, Nvidia Reflex technology mitigates this issue by optimizing CPU and GPU performance to ensure frames are rendered as quickly as possible. Additionally, Reflex can adjust frames in response to player input, enhancing the overall responsiveness of gameplay.
DLSS also plays a crucial role in ray tracing, a demanding rendering technique that simulates real-time light interactions within game environments. Although ray tracing can be enabled without DLSS, the latter significantly reduces the performance impact, making it feasible for gamers to enjoy visually stunning graphics without compromising on frame rates. The introduction of Ray Reconstruction in DLSS 3.5 further enhances ray-traced visuals by generating additional pixels, improving the overall quality at a lower performance cost.
What difference does DLSS make in games?
The impact of DLSS on gaming performance is profound. With its array of features functioning optimally, DLSS can significantly enhance both the visual fidelity and smoothness of gameplay in supported titles. This has led to DLSS and similar technologies becoming essential for modern PC gaming, especially for those aiming to play the latest titles at resolutions exceeding 1080p and frame rates above 60 FPS.
Notably, Cyberpunk 2077 has consistently been at the forefront of adopting and implementing new DLSS features effectively. Players often find that even high-end systems struggle to maintain 60 FPS at maximum settings. However, with DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Generation activated, performance can improve dramatically, yielding frame rates that are four to five times higher with minimal downsides. While some users may prefer to limit Multi-Frame Generation to 2X or 3X to avoid distortion, Cyberpunk 2077 manages to integrate this technology seamlessly.
In other titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and F1 23, DLSS continues to provide substantial performance boosts without compromising graphical quality. Even the conservative Quality mode can yield an additional 20-30 FPS, while adjusting settings to Balanced or Performance modes can lead to even smoother gameplay experiences.
With over 500 games and applications currently supporting Nvidia’s DLSS technology, along with similar offerings from AMD and Intel, the landscape of PC gaming is evolving rapidly. For those yet to explore these advancements, embracing DLSS could redefine your gaming experience, ushering in a new era of performance and visual excellence.
