Nvidia has announced the upcoming availability of its Smooth Motion technology for all RTX 4000 graphics cards, a feature that was previously exclusive to the RTX 5000 series. This development is particularly exciting for gamers who own RTX 4000 GPUs, as it promises to enhance frame rates across a wide array of PC games.
Currently, this feature is still in beta, accessible through Nvidia’s latest driver update. Reports from users on platforms like X and Guru3D forums confirm that the beta version indeed includes Smooth Motion, which has been briefly tested and validated by tech site VideoCardz.
Smooth Motion operates similarly to frame generation (FG), effectively inserting additional frames to elevate the frames per second (FPS) count, resulting in a smoother gaming experience. However, it functions at the driver level, allowing it to potentially support any DirectX 11 or DirectX 12 game without requiring specific coding from developers. This is a significant advantage over traditional frame generation methods, which rely on game developers to implement the technology.
Analysis: smooth operator – but be patient
The introduction of Smooth Motion is noteworthy as it enables older PC games, which are unlikely to receive updates for frame generation, to benefit from enhanced performance. However, it is important to note that while it provides a similar experience, the results may not match the image quality or frame rate improvements offered by dedicated frame generation technologies.
For gamers whose titles lack support for DLSS or FG, Smooth Motion presents a valuable alternative. This feature can be compared to AMD’s Fluid Motion Frames, which predates Nvidia’s offering and has seen recent enhancements.
As for the future, there is hope that Nvidia will extend this technology to earlier RTX GPU models. However, caution is advised for those eager to experiment with the beta driver, as some users have reported issues such as crashes and system lock-ups. Enabling Smooth Motion requires the use of the Nvidia Profile Inspector tool, which may pose additional risks during this testing phase.
For now, RTX 4000 graphics card owners can look forward to the official release of Smooth Motion, which is anticipated to arrive soon. Early feedback from adventurous gamers who have tested the beta version suggests promising results, hinting at a bright future for this technology in enhancing gaming experiences.