We’ve previously looked at DLSS or deep learning super sampling when the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series launched. DLSS has the potential to really revolutionize gaming performance, offering a way to utilize AI or machine learning to upscale and super sample game graphics. Just to quickly recap, DLSS takes an internal render resolution and increases the pixel count to a target resolution, without the artifacts associated with traditional upscaling. DLSS also takes care of anti-aliasing along the way.
Looking at major titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and the award-winning Death Stranding, DLSS allows users to enjoy high frame rates even without major hardware upgrades. For example, DLSS makes it possible for a game to render internally at 1080p but appear as 2160p. That helps relieve most of the processing load, allowing for more frames per second but not demanding more hardware. That’s the theory, at least, as there’s more to it.
Looking at the games we just mentioned and a few more titles, it’s becoming clear DLSS implementation requires more finesse. Which is why games now have DLSS settings or profiles to choose from. Not always, for example Shadow of the Tomb Raider simply has a DLSS on/off toggle. But we think that going forward many titles will expect users to manually select a DLSS priority. So what does that mean? Let’s look at what are becoming typical terms for in-game menus.