Full of new technologies:
DLSS4: what’s new?
With the announcement of its new range of graphics cards, the GeForce RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070, it was also an opportunity for the greens to announce the arrival of DLSS 4, the fourth generation of Deep Learning Super Sampling combined with Multi Frame Generation (MFG). As a reminder, the Blackwell architecture features new 5th-generation Tensor Cores and 4th-generation Ray Tracing Cores. It is these hardware innovations from Blackwell and DLSS that will enable MFG, which would have been technically impossible on the previous generation ADA Lovelace.
According to NVIDIA, Multi Frame Generation can deliver up to 8 times better performance in games like Cyberpunk 2077, compared with raw image rendering. Up to 15 of the 16 pixels per frame are generated by AI. The 240 FPS mark can thus be reached in 4K ray tracing, and path tracing can also be used in compatible games.
So, what does this new generation bring to the table? The main difference lies in Frame Generation. Where with the RTX 4000 series, DLSS 3 was able to insert an additional frame between two native frames, DLSS 4 will be able to insert up to three, hence the addition of the term Multi FG. You’ll have the choice of generating a single image (x2) for the RTX 40 and RTX 50 series, two images (x3) for the RTX 50 series or three images (x4) for the RTX 50 series.
It’s the AI that will generate up to three images, resulting in increased FPS, smoother gameplay and reduced memory consumption thanks to RTX Neural Shaders that can be used to compress textures. This new AI model is 40% faster, uses 30% less VRAM and only needs to run once per rendered image to generate multiple frames. The only downside is that these AI-generated images will add latency to the creation process, but NVIDIA will be introducing Reflex 2, which we’ll come back to later in this article.
One thing is certain: NVIDIA is reaping the benefits of having jumped on the AI bandwagon very quickly, and is now benefiting from its many years of research in the face of the competition. It’s important to realize that it’s no longer possible to increase raw performance by 25-30% with each generation of graphics cards – it’s the same problem faced by processors, for example. This is why NVIDIA has chosen to integrate AI into its cards in order to offer upscaling.
Multi Frame Generation is only compatible with this new generation of RTX 5000s, but the other accompanying technologies will have a positive impact on previous generations. RTX 4000s will also benefit from improved Frame Generation, with a gain of 5 to 10% according to NVIDIA, and lower memory consumption.
As soon as the RTX 5000s arrive, i.e. at the end of January, on the 30th to be precise, 75 games and applications will be compatible with DLSS 4 at launch, including Alan Wake 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Star Wars Outlaws.
The new “Transformer”:
DLSS 4 features an updated architecture for DLSS Ray Reconstruction, DLSS Super Resolution and DLAA. Previously, DLSS used convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to generate new pixels, which now becomes the new Transformer. This should offer greater stability, less ghosting, more detail on moving objects and smoother edges.
This could translate into the possibility of using a Performance mode for DLSS, which would no longer be visually average, but could approach the Balanced/Quality mode on the previous-generation CNN model. Of course, this will have to be tested and compared in terms of image quality between the RTX 4000 and RTX 5000. It will also be relevant to compare the different DLSS modes in terms of image quality.
The new Transformer will offer improved image quality in Ray Reconstruction, as seen, for example, in the image on the left, in Alan Wake 2 with the chain-link fence. The image on the right shows the improved detail between the CNN model and this new generation Tranformer model.
Reflex 2 technology:
As we said earlier, Multi Frame Generation will enable you to increase the number of FPS, but will add latency due to the creation process. NVIDIA will therefore be offering its version 2 for Reflex, which we have already had the opportunity to present to you here. These few milliseconds will make a real difference, especially in competitive games.
NVIDIA Reflex 2 will combine Reflex Low Latency mode with Frame Warp technology, and will be compatible with all RTX models. The idea, of course, is to reduce latency, i.e. the time that elapses between the moment you click your mouse button and its manifestation on the screen, by displaying a predictive image that is as close as possible to reality. Reflex 2 will be available in the coming weeks.
Override DLSS or the replacement for DLSS:
NVIDIA’s latest application, NVIDIA App, will enable games that have not yet been updated to the latest DLSS models and features to activate support via DLSS override. The version of the app we’ll be testing is a press version, and the DLSS replacement options are available in the Graphics > Program Settings screen under Driver Settings.
We’ll of course be testing Override DLSS during our test of this ROG Astral LC RTX 5090 to see how easy it is to manipulate. We’ve taken a first look at these new technologies, even if we haven’t gone into detail about everything the new RTX 5090 has to offer: it features three 9th-generation encoders and a new 6th-generation decoder. The three encoders should logically accelerate rendering speed.