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DLSS is a set of NVIDIA features for GeForce RTX graphics cards, not a single setting. Its Super Resolution feature renders a game at a lower internal resolution and reconstructs an image for a higher output resolution; Frame Generation inserts additional generated frames to increase the displayed frame rate. What you gain—and which features you can use—depends on the game, GPU, and settings.
Does DLSS lower resolution?
With DLSS Super Resolution, the game renders its input image at a lower resolution than the selected output target. NVIDIA’s reconstruction uses that image along with motion data, multiple image samples, and information from previous frames to produce the higher-resolution output. Your display can still receive the target resolution; the game simply has not conventionally rendered every output pixel at that resolution. NVIDIA Developer describes the reconstruction approach.
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For example, selecting a 4K output does not necessarily mean the GPU conventionally rendered each frame at 4K. With Super Resolution enabled, the input may be lower-resolution and then reconstructed for 4K output. The exact internal resolution depends on the game and selected mode; there is no single internal resolution that applies to every DLSS setting.
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How can DLSS increase frame rates?
Super Resolution reduces conventional rendering work
Rendering fewer pixels conventionally can reduce GPU workload. That can leave the GPU able to deliver more conventionally rendered frames per second while still producing the chosen output resolution through reconstruction. The size of any gain is not fixed: it varies with the game, GPU, settings, base performance, and implementation.
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Frame Generation adds displayed frames
Frame Generation creates additional frames between traditionally rendered frames. This can increase the displayed frame rate, but generated frames are not equivalent to frames the game engine independently simulated and rendered. Multi Frame Generation can generate multiple frames, while Dynamic Multi Frame Generation adjusts generation dynamically; availability and behavior depend on GPU and game support. NVIDIA outlines these feature distinctions on its DLSS technology page.
Displayed FPS alone does not describe the whole experience. When comparing settings, consider conventionally rendered FPS as well as generated/displayed FPS, image clarity and stability, artifacts, latency, and frame pacing. Neither Super Resolution nor Frame Generation guarantees a particular performance gain, image quality, latency, or feel in a specific game.
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What are the other DLSS features?
| Feature | What it does | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Super Resolution | Reconstructs a higher-resolution output from lower-resolution input. | Changes the relationship between internal render resolution and output resolution. |
| Frame Generation and Multi Frame Generation | Generates additional frames between traditionally rendered frames; Multi Frame Generation can generate multiple frames. | Raises displayed frame count rather than conventionally rendering every displayed frame. |
| Dynamic Multi Frame Generation | Dynamically adjusts frame generation. | Availability depends on the supported game and GPU. |
| Ray Reconstruction | Uses AI reconstruction for ray-traced or path-traced scenes, replacing traditional hand-tuned denoisers. | Targets reconstruction and denoising of ray-traced imagery; it is not another name for upscaling or frame generation. |
| DLAA | Applies AI anti-aliasing at native resolution. | Unlike Super Resolution, it does not upscale lower-resolution input. |
NVIDIA’s DLSS overview and feature descriptions explain these different roles. A game may offer some DLSS features but not others.
What does NVIDIA’s “up to 8X” claim mean?
NVIDIA stated 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 stated combined feature configuration—not independent benchmarks or a result promised for every game, GPU, or player. NVIDIA GeForce News explains the claim.
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How do you check whether your game and GPU support a DLSS feature?
Compatibility is feature-specific. NVIDIA’s current feature matrix lists Super Resolution for GeForce RTX 20, 30, 40, and 50 series, while Frame Generation and Multi Frame Generation have narrower support. That does not mean every game supports every feature on every listed card.
- Check the game’s graphics or video settings for the specific option you want, such as Super Resolution, Frame Generation, or Ray Reconstruction.
- Compare your GPU generation with the relevant feature in NVIDIA’s DLSS feature matrix.
- Check the game’s supported display resolution and the feature-specific requirements. NVIDIA notes that DLSS availability depends on the game, GPU, and selected display resolution in its DLSS questions and answers.
- Compare the available settings in your own game, paying attention to image quality, conventional and displayed FPS, latency, and frame pacing rather than assuming one mode is best for every setup.
Which DLSS setting should you use?
There is no universal mode recommendation supported across games and hardware. If you want to reduce conventional rendering workload while retaining a higher output target, Super Resolution is the relevant feature. If you want a higher displayed frame count, Frame Generation is the relevant feature where supported. DLAA instead prioritizes anti-aliasing at native resolution, and Ray Reconstruction is aimed at ray-traced or path-traced imagery.
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Choose based on the specific game’s image and performance trade-offs, your GPU’s feature support, and how the result feels. If your GPU does not support the DLSS feature you want, an RTX card is one possible hardware category to consider; whether an upgrade makes sense depends on your game, resolution, budget, and performance goal.
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