Which GPUs are Compatible with DLSS?
Hey there! Today, I want to talk to you about DLSS and the GPUs that support it. DLSS stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling, a fancy term that essentially means improved graphics for your games. Now, you might be wondering which GPUs work with DLSS. Well, let me break it down for you.
DLSS is a nifty feature available on certain graphics cards. If you have one of these GPUs, you’re in luck! DLSS can give your games a serious boost in performance and visual quality. So, which GPUs are we talking about here? Let me spill the beans.
NVIDIA, the tech wizards behind DLSS, supports a bunch of their latest GPUs with this fantastic feature. You’ll find DLSS compatibility in NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX series. These include the RTX 2060, RTX 2070, RTX 2080, RTX 2080 Ti, and the mighty RTX 30 series, like the RTX 3060, RTX 3070, RTX 3080, and RTX 3090.
DLSS isn’t just for the high-end GPUs, though. NVIDIA has also made it available on their more affordable options. So, if you have an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 16 series or a GeForce GTX 1660 Super, you can still enjoy the benefits of DLSS.
Pretty cool, right? DLSS brings a whole new level of immersion to your gaming experience, making everything look snappier, sharper, and overall more stunning. It’s like getting an upgrade for your eyes!
Now that you know which GPUs support DLSS, you can choose the right one for your gaming setup. So go ahead, dive into the world of DLSS and let your games look better than ever before. Happy gaming, my friend!
It’s common knowledge that video games are getting more and more visually advanced each year. As a result, they require powerful hardware upgrades. Sometimes, the processing power needed is beyond what the current hardware can handle. That’s why GPU manufacturers like NVIDIA have come up with better solutions.
In 2019, NVIDIA introduced the first version of Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), which is an AI graphics processing layer that game developers can incorporate into their products. However, to take advantage of DLSS, you need a GPU that is compatible with this innovative technology.
Not surprisingly, the graphics cards that support DLSS are the RTX cards made by NVIDIA. We’ll delve into the details on that later. We’ll also discuss what DLSS can do for the overall gaming experience and which games already support it.
DLSS: A Summary
If you’re into action-packed first-person games, you probably prefer a high frame rate. A low frame rate can lead to choppy video and noticeable streaming delays.
In general, having a high-resolution image and excellent frame rate is the gold standard. However, achieving both can put a heavy load on your graphics card and processor. This is where Deep Learning Super Sampling comes in. The developers at NVIDIA recognized the problem and came up with a clever solution.
DLSS essentially instructs your graphics card to enhance a lower quality image to your preferred resolution using AI deep learning technology. NVIDIA DLSS is capable of doing all this without overburdening your graphics card and processor.
Even when running games at the highest graphics settings, DLSS can optimize the frame rate and image quality. In short, DLSS is designed to provide maximum gaming performance without compromising on visual quality.
The Best Gaming Desktops
The DLSS technology is particularly appealing to users who prefer playing games at 4K with a frame rate of 60FPS. In the past, gamers with these requirements would need to invest in the most expensive GPU to meet such demands.
However, now even a budget GPU that supports DLSS can downscale the resolution to 1440p and create the missing pixels using AI. For many gamers, it’s a win-win situation.
Finding GPUs That Support DLSS
If you’re interested in trying out DLSS but aren’t sure which GPU is compatible, don’t worry – it’s not a secret. DLSS upscaling is exclusively available on NVIDIA RTX graphics cards.
Of course, these cards come in various qualities and prices, but the key identifier is the inclusion of “RTX” in the GPU’s name.
Now, you might be wondering, what exactly does “RTX” stand for?
I want to tell you about Ray Tracing Texel eXtreme, or RTX for short. It’s an advanced rendering technique that brings lifelike lighting and other amazing effects to video games. Until recently, ray tracing was only seen in movies, but NVIDIA changed the game with their RTX technology. So, how does it work? Well, it uses an algorithm to calculate how light interacts with objects and how our eyes perceive it. This creates more realistic shadows and reflections in games.
Now, it’s important to note that DLSS and ray tracing are two different features offered by NVIDIA. However, all “RTX” GPUs support DLSS for now.
The RTX graphics cards include popular models like the 2060, 3060, 3080, and 3090, among others. There are also newer Quadro RTX cards with Tensor cores, such as the RTX 3000 series and above.
It’s worth mentioning that the list of graphics cards that support DLSS is constantly expanding and they come in different price ranges to suit your budget.
Three GPUs with DLSS Capabilities
Imagine playing your favorite game with amazing resolution and smooth frame rates, all without needing a super powerful computer. Sounds great, right? Well, let me introduce you to three GPUs with DLSS capabilities.
GeForce RTX 3060
If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a graphics card, the GeForce RTX 3060 is a great option. It starts at around $300-400 and offers impressive features like the GA106 architecture, 12 billion transistors, 3584 GPU cores, a base clock speed of 1320 MHz, and 12 GB of VRAM.
Let me tell you about this amazing GPU that supports DLSS and comes at a great price. It’s the GeForce RTX 3080, a mid-range option that offers an abundance of features that even the pickiest gamers will love.
The performance of this GPU is truly phenomenal. It can handle 4K resolution at a smooth 60 FPS and even more. That’s impressive, isn’t it?
But I must admit, there is one downside to this EVGA card. It tends to be a bit noisy. But hey, with all the incredible features it offers, it’s a small price to pay, right?
The price of the highest-performing DLSS GPU was quite high, but now it’s more affordable at around $800. One downside of the GeForce RTX 3080 is that it requires more than 320W of power to run, so you’ll need a higher-grade power supply.
GeForce RTX 3090 Ti
This is the absolute fastest DLSS graphics card you can find, and it comes with a hefty price tag of $1,900. It has 10752 GPU cores, a boost clock of 1,860 MHz, impressive DLSS adoption rates, and works seamlessly with both 4K and 8K gaming.
Just so you know, this is the graphics card that creators usually go for, and it has pretty high power requirements, DLSS aside.
Understanding DLSS Modes
NVIDIA’s fancy technology has really changed the way images are scaled up and down to achieve the desired effect. But here’s the thing – you can actually adjust the DLSS settings and find the best performance settings for your computer.
You’ve got four DLSS modes to choose from, each focusing on frame rates and other technical stuff. It’s all about finding the right balance between Quality, Balanced, Performance, and Ultra Performance modes.
DLSS Quality Mode
This mode gives you a little boost in frame rate, which is usually enough. If you’ve got a fancy 4K gaming monitor, a powerful gaming PC, and you want a slightly better resolution without losing out on details, the Quality mode is the way to go.
DLSS Balanced Mode
In simple terms, this is the “regular” DLSS setting and probably the most popular one among gamers. You get better frame rates compared to the Quality mode, but there might be a slight chance of the image looking a bit blurry. Balanced mode is the preferred choice for 4K users because they play with more pixels.
DLSS Performance Mode
Now we’re talking about DLSS modes that really crank up the frame rates. This mode is perfect for 1440p gamers who don’t want to upgrade their entire system just yet.
DLSS Ultra Performance Mode
If you want to see a big boost in frame rate, then the Ultra Performance mode is for you. This mode is designed for people who use 8K resolution or lower target resolutions. It can upscale nine times and gives you amazing performance.
Just keep in mind that this mode is only available in DLSS version 2.1 and above. The other three modes are available in DLSS version 2.0.
Is DLSS Worth It?
For many gamers, the answer is a definite yes. If your current GPU can’t reach 60 FPS, it makes sense to invest in a GPU that supports DLSS rendering.
But when it comes to NVIDIA and DLSS technology, it’s important to look at how it has evolved. DLSS has only gotten better over time.
When it first came out, DLSS seemed like a feature for a select group of people who didn’t want to spend a lot of money on expensive GPUs.
However, DLSS has made it possible for both low-end and high-end hardware to run games that would have been unplayable otherwise. But even though it’s groundbreaking, it’s not perfect.
Some Drawbacks of DLSS
While we wait for DLSS 3.0 and potentially new GPUs that support it, we need to look at the available options and understand why DLSS graphics cards might not be the best choice for everyone. One issue is that DLSS might not help with ray tracing on older gaming systems.
Also, if you’re using a GPU with the first version of DLSS, you can only turn it on or off. There are no other modes available. NVIDIA is working to address these concerns and improve the product.
How Does DLSS Work in Video Games?
Having a DLSS-supported GPU doesn’t mean you can use it with every game. The availability of DLSS within a game depends on the developers. For now, you can only turn on DLSS manually in games that support it.
The good news is that the list of games that support DLSS is growing rapidly. But it’s still important to check before searching for the DLSS settings. There are many games with seamlessly integrated DLSS rendering. Here are 10 popular options:
- Hitman 3
- Outriders
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- Control
- Battlefield V
- Fortnite
- Rust
- Resident Evil Village
- Rise of the Tomb Raider
NVIDIA DLSS vs. AMD FSR
AMD is one of NVIDIA’s biggest competitors, and they have their own version of high-performance gaming at lower resolutions.
AMD’s Fidelity Super Resolution or FSR is available on a wider range of GPUs. However, NVIDIA’s DLSS is considered the more advanced solution in terms of performance.
Both companies are constantly improving their technologies to boost frame rates and image quality, so it’s an exciting competition to watch.
Getting the Most Out of Your DLSS Graphics Card
If your GPU has “RTX” in its name, try out the DLSS technology in your favorite game. But first, check if the developer has included DLSS functionality. Luckily, many developers have.
With the newer versions of DLSS GPUs, you can choose the mode that suits you best and get high frame rates without compromising your overall gaming experience.
Remember that DLSS GPUs come in different price ranges, and you don’t have to spend a fortune to take advantage of the DLSS feature. It’s a great way to bridge the gap between medium- and high-end hardware. But every gamer has their own preferences, and DLSS offers many great solutions.
Which DLSS GPU would you choose? Let us know in the comments below.