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DLSS 4.5 looks best overall in the available 1440p comparisons, with FSR 4 second and XeSS 2 third in ComputerBase’s six-game WQHD ranking. TechSpot also found DLSS 4.5 generally sharper and more stable than FSR 4 in its 1440p tests. But the title needs a correction: those comparisons tested DLSS 4.5, not DLSS 5. The evidence does not establish a three-way DLSS 5, FSR 4 and XeSS comparison or a DLSS 5 victory.
For a fair reading of the results, compare the same game at the same output resolution and, where possible, the same internal render resolution. Upscaler labels such as “Balanced” and “Quality” are not consistent across vendors.
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| Name | Best for | Key spec | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLSS 4.5 (not DLSS 5) | Overall image quality in the cited WQHD comparison | Ranked first overall by ComputerBase across six games; generally sharper and more stable than FSR 4 in TechSpot’s tests | Nov 2026 |
| FSR 4 | A softer image or scenes where it looks steadier to you | Ranked second in ComputerBase’s comparison; sometimes avoids distracting grain or pixelation found in DLSS 4.5 | Nov 2026 |
| XeSS 2 | A third option when a game supports it on your system | Ranked third in ComputerBase’s six-game WQHD comparison | Nov 2026 |
The ranking describes the tested versions and sample, not every game or every GPU. The cited evidence does not include a directly comparable DLSS 5 result.
Was DLSS 5 actually tested against FSR 4 and XeSS at 1440p?
No. The direct WQHD comparison tested DLSS 4.5, FSR 4 (also called FSR Upscaling AI) and XeSS 2. DLSS 5 should not be substituted for DLSS 4.5 in the result: NVIDIA’s announcement presents DLSS 5 as a newer visual-fidelity direction, while describing DLSS 4.5 upscaling separately. The announcement does not provide a controlled 1440p comparison against FSR 4 and XeSS 2.
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That distinction matters because version labels identify different implementations, and the result for one is not evidence for another. When a game offers a DLSS option, check which version or features it actually implements rather than assuming that “DLSS” in a setting means the version used in a review. The accurate short answer is therefore: DLSS 4.5 led the available 1440p comparisons; DLSS 5 itself was not part of those tests. See NVIDIA’s DLSS 5 announcement for its framing of the newer technology.
For shoppers, this also means that a benchmark showing DLSS 4.5 ahead should not be treated as proof that a future or separately implemented DLSS 5 mode will produce the same image. A game can expose different model versions through a patch, driver update or feature toggle. Record the game version, GPU driver and exact upscaler option when you try to reproduce a result.
What did the 1440p comparisons find?
ComputerBase ranked DLSS 4.5 first overall, FSR 4 second and XeSS 2 third after comparing them across six games at WQHD. That is a bounded reviewer judgment across those games, not a guarantee that DLSS wins every scene or that every viewer will prefer its image. TechSpot’s separate 1440p Balanced testing focused on DLSS 4.5 versus FSR 4 and also found DLSS 4.5 generally sharper and more temporally stable.
TechSpot’s recurring DLSS 4.5 advantages included retaining fine detail in foliage and fences and showing less ghosting in many examples. FSR 4 nevertheless had scenes where it appeared smoother or steadier. In one 1440p Balanced scene in Mafia: The Old Country, the review found FSR 4 more stable. FSR’s softer output could also avoid grain or pixelation that appeared in DLSS 4.5. These exceptions are why a single overall winner should not be read as a universal verdict.
The comparisons also do not establish a universal performance winner. TechSpot reported that DLSS 4.5 generally costs more performance than FSR 4, but the exact results varied by game and hardware. In its 1440p Cyberpunk 2077 setup, FSR 4 produced an uplift similar to DLSS 4; in Mafia: The Old Country, FSR 4 ran slightly better on an RX 9070 XT than DLSS 4 did on an RTX 5070 Ti. These are results from that review’s specific GPU and game configurations, not a general FPS prediction.
Read the detailed comparisons for their scene examples and test conditions: ComputerBase’s six-game WQHD test and TechSpot’s DLSS 4.5 versus FSR 4 analysis.
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Why can the best-looking option change from scene to scene?
Upscalers reconstruct an output image from a lower-resolution render, and their differences are easiest to notice in fine or moving detail. Foliage, fences and other thin elements can expose whether detail is retained, shimmers, flickers or disappears. Movement can reveal ghosting or instability that a static screenshot does not show. At the same time, sharpening can make detail look crisp to one viewer and grainy or overemphasized to another.
Ghosting occurs when a previous frame’s information lingers behind a moving object or after an object becomes visible. Shimmer and flicker are temporal instabilities: a wire, leaf or distant edge changes appearance as the camera moves even though the object itself has not changed. Disocclusion is another stress case, when a moving object reveals background pixels that the algorithm has not seen recently. These are reasons to inspect panning shots and character movement instead of relying on a paused frame.
That helps explain the apparent trade-off in the reviews: DLSS 4.5 often kept fine detail clearer and reduced ghosting, while FSR 4 sometimes looked calmer or less distracting. Neither property is a win in all circumstances. A scene with dense foliage may favor a different reconstruction than a scene where a softer image suppresses visible grain. The game’s implementation, the scene, the selected mode and the underlying render resolution all affect what you see.
Sharpening controls can further complicate a comparison. If a game applies different sharpening defaults to each vendor mode, one option may look artificially crisper or softer even when the underlying reconstruction is close. Disable extra sharpening where the game allows it, or set the same post-process sharpening value before judging. Keep film grain, chromatic aberration and motion blur consistent as well; those effects can hide or exaggerate upscaler artifacts.
For your own preference, compare a repeatable scene with the same output resolution and internal render resolution. Watch movement as well as standing still, and check difficult details such as foliage, fences and edges. If one mode looks sharper but introduces distracting grain, while another looks softer but steadier, that is a real visual trade-off rather than proof that one result is objectively best for everyone.
How do you compare Quality, Balanced and Performance fairly?
Match the internal render resolution instead of assuming that identically named presets are equivalent. ComputerBase used DLSS 4.5 Balanced and FSR 4 Balanced alongside XeSS 2 Quality to align the input render resolution in its WQHD comparison. The different preset names did not mean XeSS was rendering from a higher resolution in that test.
Preset names are not a shared standard. Intel’s developer guide for XeSS-SR 1.3 and later lists scale factors of 1.7× for Quality, 2.0× for Balanced and 2.3× for Performance. It recommends Performance at 1440p and above. Those figures describe the documented XeSS-SR version; game integration can affect the options and behavior a player actually sees. Do not assume every game uses those exact factors without checking its implementation.
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At 2560×1440 output, a 1.7× scale factor means the algorithm starts from a lower internal image than native 1440p, while 2.0× and 2.3× reduce the input further. The exact pixel dimensions and rounding can differ by engine, so use the game’s render-resolution readout or an overlay when one is available. If no readout exists, identical preset names are only a rough guide.
A practical comparison looks like this:
- Confirm the output resolution. Set each option to 1440p (WQHD) output and make sure dynamic resolution is disabled unless you are deliberately testing it.
- Find the game’s render-scale information if available. Compare modes that use a similar internal input resolution, not merely the same preset word.
- Use the same scene and camera conditions. Include movement, since shimmer and ghosting are temporal artifacts. A built-in benchmark is useful only if it repeats the same path and timing.
- Keep frame-rate conditions consistent. Use the same frame cap, ray-tracing settings and frame-generation setting. Frame generation changes motion presentation and should not be confused with the upscaler itself.
- Judge both detail and stability. Inspect foliage, fences and thin edges as well as overall sharpness. Look at distant geometry, reflections and particles too, because those can reveal temporal errors.
- Check performance separately. Record average and low frame rates only after image quality is assessed at matched input resolution.
- Keep the exact game mode and implementation in mind. A result in one title or preset is not a universal ranking.
ComputerBase recorded its WQHD comparison video at 60 FPS, using 60 Mbps AV1 recording. Those are capture details, not image-quality scores. The test’s matched input resolution is the more important point for interpreting its ranking. Video compression can also soften fine detail, so use direct screenshots or lossless captures when you repeat the test at home.
How do DLSS, FSR and XeSS differ in compatibility?
Availability depends on the game’s implementation as well as the graphics hardware and, for XeSS, the relevant API path. A technology’s broader design does not guarantee that a specific title exposes it on a particular PC. Check the individual game’s graphics settings and documentation for the options supported by that title.
Intel documents XeSS-SR with both an Intel-optimized implementation and a cross-vendor implementation. Its developer guide says the cross-vendor HLSL path runs on GPUs supporting Shader Model 6.4, with hardware acceleration for DP4a or equivalent recommended; the guide also lists requirements by DirectX and Vulkan backend. This is developer-facing guidance, not a promise that every XeSS feature is available on every graphics card. The game integration and API still matter. Intel’s XeSS-SR developer guide details those paths and requirements.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11In practical terms, a menu option can disappear when you switch APIs, use an unsupported GPU or run an older build. A cross-vendor path also does not mean identical quality or speed on every vendor’s hardware. Verify that the title is using XeSS-SR rather than a different XeSS component, and note whether the game offers XeSS 2 features or only an earlier implementation.
In TechSpot’s comparison, DLSS 4 testing used a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and FSR 4 testing used a Radeon RX 9070 XT. That hardware context is important: those tests were not a same-card, same-implementation comparison across all three technologies. The article supports a qualified image-quality comparison of the tested setups, not a recommendation to buy either card or a claim that one ecosystem is the better value. Current prices, stock and partner-card differences must be checked independently.
What are the biggest testing pitfalls?
The first pitfall is comparing different internal resolutions. A higher-resolution input can look cleaner even if the reconstruction method is less effective, which is why ComputerBase deliberately paired DLSS and FSR Balanced with XeSS Quality. The second is comparing different game versions or patches; an upscaler integration can change without the menu label changing.
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Another mistake is judging only a still screenshot. Temporal artifacts may appear after several seconds of motion, and a compressed online video can hide them. Conversely, staring at a single zoomed crop can exaggerate a small sharpening halo that is barely visible at normal viewing distance. Use a normal 1440p display distance and then zoom in only to identify the cause of an artifact.
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Finally, do not mix up image quality with frame rate. DLSS 4.5’s overall image lead does not mean it is faster, and FSR 4’s slightly better result in one game does not make it universally cheaper to run. Compare quality at matched input resolution, then measure performance on the specific GPU and settings you own.
Which one should you choose at 1440p?
If your priority is the strongest overall image-quality result in the cited comparisons, start with DLSS 4.5 where the game and your system support it. Its lead is supported by ComputerBase’s six-game WQHD ranking and TechSpot’s findings on sharpness, detail retention and stability. That conclusion applies to DLSS 4.5—not DLSS 5—and does not mean it wins every scene.
Try FSR 4 if DLSS 4.5 looks overly sharp, grainy or unstable in a particular game, or if the FSR image simply looks more pleasing to you. Review evidence includes scenes where FSR 4 was steadier, including one Mafia: The Old Country example, so a quick side-by-side check can matter more than the broad ranking. Choose XeSS 2 when it is available and suits your system, but the cited six-game test placed it third overall; that does not establish that it will look worst in every title.
For the fairest decision, compare the options inside the game you play, at 1440p output and as close as possible to the same input render resolution. If your question is specifically whether DLSS 5 beats FSR 4 and XeSS at 1440p, the available evidence cannot answer it: the direct comparison tested DLSS 4.5.
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A simple decision checklist
- Have an RTX card and want maximum detail? Begin with DLSS 4.5, then inspect motion and foliage for artifacts.
- Prefer a calmer, softer presentation? Compare FSR 4 at the same input resolution; it may avoid distracting grain in your game.
- Using Intel hardware or a title with XeSS support? Test XeSS 2, confirming the API and implementation exposed by the game.
- Need more performance? Move from Quality to Balanced or Performance only after checking how much detail you are giving up at 1440p.
- Considering a GPU purchase? Do not use this image-quality ranking alone. The tested RTX 5070 Ti and RX 9070 XT provide context, not a current value verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a 1440p monitor mean the game renders internally at 1440p with an upscaler?
No. 1440p describes the output resolution in this comparison; an upscaler reconstructs that output from a lower internal render resolution. The input resolution depends on the selected mode and game implementation.
Can I use XeSS if I do not have an Intel graphics card?
XeSS-SR has a cross-vendor implementation as well as an Intel-optimized one, but that does not guarantee support for every GPU or feature. The specific game’s integration, device requirements and graphics API determine whether the option is available.
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Does DLSS 4.5’s overall win mean it will run faster than FSR 4?
No. Image-quality ranking and performance are separate questions. TechSpot found that DLSS 4.5 generally cost more performance in its tested setups, while particular game results varied by title and GPU.
Why might a screenshot make two upscalers look more similar than they do in play?
A still image cannot show temporal behavior such as shimmer, flicker or ghosting during movement. Those artifacts were among the comparison axes, so moving scenes are useful when judging how stable an image looks.
Are DLSS, FSR and XeSS Quality modes equivalent?
No. Preset names are vendor-specific. ComputerBase matched internal render resolution with DLSS and FSR Balanced versus XeSS Quality, and Intel’s XeSS-SR 1.3-plus guide lists different scale factors for Quality, Balanced and Performance.
Should I enable frame generation when comparing upscalers?
Keep frame generation the same, preferably off for an image-quality comparison. Frame generation changes displayed motion and latency; it does not make two different upscaler reconstructions directly equivalent.
Is XeSS 2 guaranteed to be available on every DirectX or Vulkan game?
No. Intel documents separate API and device requirements, and the game must integrate the relevant XeSS-SR path. Check the title’s settings and documentation rather than assuming broad support.
Does the six-game ranking prove DLSS wins every 1440p game?
No. It is a reviewer ranking across six WQHD games. Scene content, engine integration, preset, hardware and personal sensitivity to sharpness or artifacts can change the result.
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Not on image quality alone. Those cards were the platforms used for TechSpot’s DLSS and FSR testing, but the comparison was not a current price, stock or value review.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: DLSS 4.5 is the best-supported overall choice at 1440p in the cited tests, ahead of FSR 4 and XeSS 2. FSR 4 can look steadier or more pleasing in specific scenes, while XeSS remains dependent on game and API support. The evidence does not directly test DLSS 5, so do not treat the DLSS 4.5 result as a DLSS 5 victory.
