DLSS 4.5 on RTX 20/30 Series: Breaking Down Performance Gains and Losses
Summary:
- Performance Drop: Users report a nearly 20% decrease in FPS on RTX 30/20 series when using DLSS 4.5.
- Image Quality Boost: Despite the drop in performance, DLSS 4.5 offers significant improvements in visual fidelity.
- Usage Recommendations: Enabling DLSS 4.5 may still be beneficial for older graphics cards under specific conditions.
The release of NVIDIA’s DLSS 4.5 has sparked discussions among gamers and tech enthusiasts, particularly for those still using older RTX 20 and 30 series graphics cards. While this latest evolution of Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) promises enhanced image quality, early tests reveal a notable performance drop for users of these legacy models.
NVIDIA’s Bold Claims
NVIDIA introduced DLSS 4.5, energizing the gaming community with its advanced super-resolution technology and the incorporation of 6x multiple frame generation (MFG). This update aims to exceed the gaming experience by enhancing frame rates and visual clarity. However, the reality for those with older RTX models has been mixed.
Benchmark Testing: The Reality Check
Following the launch, benchmark tests were conducted, notably using the popular game Cyberpunk 2077 on an RTX 3080 Ti graphics card. The findings were revealing: compared to DLSS 4.0, the newer DLSS 4.5 required significantly more computational power, resulting in a staggering 24% drop in frame rates under high settings—tumbling from 42 FPS down to just 32 FPS at RT Ultra settings.
At 1440p resolution, the performance decline was less severe yet still notable, with a 14% reduction from 72 FPS to 61 FPS. Even when ray tracing was disabled, users reported a 20% drop, showcasing the substantial impact of this new technology on older GPUs.
Compatibility Challenges
The root of the performance issues stems from DLSS 4.5’s requirements. NVIDIA has clarified that the update demands five times the computational capability from Tensor Cores compared to its predecessor. This is particularly challenging for RTX 20 and 30 series graphics cards, which do not support FP8 operations—a necessity for optimal performance with DLSS 4.5.
According to NVIDIA’s Jacob Freeman, users running RTX 50 series hardware only experience a minimal 2-3% performance reduction with the new DLSS version. In stark contrast, older models have increasingly faltered since the rollout of DLSS 4.0, highlighting a growing gap in performance between generations.
DLSS 4.5’s Aesthetic Benefits
While the performance impact may deter some, the visual enhancements brought by DLSS 4.5 cannot be overlooked. The second-generation Transformer model utilized in this technology focuses primarily on improving image quality without necessarily prioritizing frame rate. Feedback indicates that users willing to sacrifice some FPS will reap the rewards in terms of visual detail, particularly in graphically demanding games.
Moreover, it’s been noted that the latest implementation of DLSS 4.5 utilizes 40-53% more VRAM on newer RTX 40/50 series cards, while for RTX 20 and 30 series users, this percentage soars to 87-103%. Consequently, gamers working with 8GB GPUs may face intensified performance bottlenecks.
Recommended Scenarios for DLSS 4.5 Utilization
Despite the challenges, there are specific scenarios where enabling DLSS 4.5 could be advantageous, particularly in games where considerable performance improvement remains feasible. For users experiencing smooth gameplay (100-200 FPS) with RTX 20/30/40 series cards in less demanding titles, foregoing some frames for higher image quality could enhance the overall gaming experience.
Conclusion
The introduction of DLSS 4.5 serves as both a blessing and a challenge for users of older NVIDIA graphics cards. While it significantly pushes the boundaries of visual quality, the resulting performance dip warrants careful consideration. As the technology landscape continues to evolve, so too will the strategies employed by gamers seeking to balance graphical fidelity with frame rates.
In summary, DLSS 4.5 provides impressive gains in image detail, but users should approach it with caution, especially if they rely on older RTX models for gaming.
