From Engadget · Igor Bonifacic · · 1m 30s
What is NVIDIA DLSS and how it works
NVIDIA's AI upscaling tech boosts gaming performance without sacrificing quality.
In brief
NVIDIA's AI upscaling tech boosts gaming performance without sacrificing quality. NVIDIA DLSS uses machine learning to render games at lower resolutions then upscale for smoother gameplay while maintaining visual quality. Originally reported by Engadget.
What is DLSS
NVIDIA's upscaling software increases game performance using machine learning algorithms.
How DLSS works
DLSS renders games at lower resolutions then upscaling to your monitor's native resolution using machine learning.
DLSS modes
Quality mode starts at 66.7 percent of target resolution for best image quality.
Balanced mode
Balanced mode starts at 58 percent of target resolution for middle ground quality and frame rate.
Performance mode
Performance mode starts at 50 percent of target resolution for higher frame rates.
Ultra performance mode
Ultra performance mode starts at 33.3 percent of target resolution for 8k monitors.
DLSS 2 and 4
DLSS 2 launched in 2020 with over 1000 games supporting it by early 2025.
DLSS 4 features
DLSS 4 offers better image quality and reduced ghosting with transformer-based machine learning.
DLAA
Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing reduces shimmer and flickering in games.
Frame generation
Frame generation creates interpolated frames to boost frame rates for high refresh rate monitors.
DLSS 5
DLSS 5 adds ai filters for photoreal lighting without improving frame rates.
DLSS 5 availability
DLSS 5 is available in only NBA 2K27 as of October 2026.
The short version
NVIDIA DLSS uses machine learning to render games at lower resolutions then upscale for smoother gameplay while maintaining visual quality.
