DLSS can make a game render fewer pixels, reconstruct a higher-resolution image, or display extra AI-generated frames—but those are different features. Super Resolution can reduce the GPU work of rendering; Frame Generation can increase the displayed frame rate. Neither guarantees a particular performance gain or image quality, and support depends on the game and GPU.
Does DLSS lower resolution?
With DLSS Super Resolution, the game uses a lower-resolution internal image as input and reconstructs an image for the selected output resolution. The GPU therefore does not conventionally render every pixel at the output resolution. The display can still receive the target resolution; DLSS changes how the image is produced, not necessarily the resolution shown in the game’s output settings.
Super Resolution combines lower-resolution image data with information such as motion data and samples from previous frames to reconstruct the output. The result can look clear, but reconstruction may affect detail, stability, or introduce artifacts depending on the game and settings. NVIDIA describes the feature and its rendering approach in its DLSS developer overview.
Does DLSS increase FPS?
It can, in two distinct ways. Super Resolution can reduce the work involved in rendering each frame by starting with fewer pixels. Frame Generation inserts additional generated frames between traditionally rendered frames, raising the number of frames displayed. A generated frame is not a frame that the game engine independently simulated and conventionally rendered.
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The resulting frame rate, image quality, latency, and frame pacing depend on the game, GPU, settings, starting performance, and implementation. A higher displayed frame count from Frame Generation should not be read as the game doing the same amount of simulation and rendering at that rate.
NVIDIA reported in 2025 that “For games and apps, DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, Ray Reconstruction, and Super Resolution multiplies frame rates by up to 8X over brute-force rendering, and boosts frame rates by up to 1.7X when upgrading from Frame Generation to Multi Frame Generation.” These are NVIDIA’s vendor-reported maximum comparisons for the combined feature configuration, not independent benchmarks or a forecast for every game and GPU. The statement appears in NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 announcement.
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What the different DLSS features do
DLSS is a suite of neural rendering features for GeForce RTX graphics cards, not a single setting. NVIDIA’s DLSS technology overview describes features with different purposes:
| Feature | What it changes | How to think about it |
|---|---|---|
| Super Resolution | Reconstructs a higher-resolution output from lower-resolution input. | Upscaling and reconstruction; can reduce conventional rendering workload. |
| Frame Generation | Generates additional frames between traditionally rendered frames. | Can raise displayed frame rate; generated frames are not separately traditionally rendered. |
| Multi Frame Generation | Generates multiple additional frames; availability depends on GPU and game support. | A frame-generation variant, not a higher-resolution rendering mode. |
| Dynamic Multi Frame Generation | Adjusts the use of generated frames dynamically where supported. | A frame-generation variant; exact availability depends on support. |
| Ray Reconstruction | Reconstructs pixels between sampled rays in ray-traced or path-traced scenes, replacing traditional hand-tuned denoisers. | Targets ray-traced image reconstruction and denoising, rather than upscaling or frame generation. |
| DLAA | Applies AI anti-aliasing at native resolution. | Image smoothing at native resolution, distinct from upscaling lower-resolution input. |
How to choose among DLSS options in a game
There is no universally best mode: the useful choice depends on the game, GPU, output resolution, and whether the priority is image quality, conventional rendering performance, or a higher displayed frame rate. Compare the available settings on these points:
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- Internal resolution and output: Super Resolution reconstructs from lower-resolution input; DLAA operates at native resolution.
- Image quality: Check clarity, temporal stability, and visible artifacts in the scenes you play.
- Frame-rate meaning: Distinguish conventionally rendered FPS from displayed FPS when Frame Generation is enabled.
- Latency and frame pacing: Consider how responsive and consistent the game feels, not just the displayed FPS figure.
- Compatibility: Confirm that both the game and GPU support the particular feature, not merely DLSS in general.
Which GPUs and games support DLSS?
Support differs by feature and hardware generation. NVIDIA’s feature matrix lists Super Resolution for GeForce RTX 20-, 30-, 40-, and 50-series GPUs, while Frame Generation and Multi Frame Generation have narrower support. The exact feature must also be implemented in the particular game. Check the game’s graphics settings and NVIDIA’s current feature matrix before assuming a specific combination will work. NVIDIA also notes that DLSS availability is game-specific and depends on the GPU and selected display resolution in its DLSS questions and answers.
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