Key Takeaways
1. DLSS 4.5 introduces a 2nd generation Transformer model, enhancing image quality through improved temporal stability and sharper details compared to its predecessor.
2. The Nvidia app now supports DLSS 4.5 in over 400 titles, with new presets (Preset L and Preset M) optimized for different performance levels.
3. DLSS 4.5 can result in significant performance drops, with frame rates decreasing by up to 44.5% in some games when using the new Preset M.
4. Users with RTX 20 and RTX 30 series GPUs may experience diminished benefits from DLSS 4.5 due to hardware limitations, making the original DLSS 4 a viable option.
5. Future updates will include multi-frame generation (MFG) for RTX 50 cards, enhancing frame output dynamically to match monitor refresh rates.
Nvidia first unveiled DLSS with its RTX 20 Turing series of GPUs. DLSS 1 wasn’t well-known for its image quality because it functioned mainly as a spatial image upscaler and had limited support from games. However, last year marked a significant advancement with the arrival of DLSS 4, which utilized a Transformer model alongside RTX 50 Blackwell GPUs, greatly enhancing upscaled visual fidelity.
The DLSS 4.5 Update
This year, Nvidia is rolling out a minor update, DLSS 4.5, which aims to fine-tune DLSS 4 even further. Nvidia claims that the 2nd generation Transformer in DLSS 4.5 provides improved temporal stability, better resolution, and crisper details.
With the Nvidia app now officially offering DLSS 4.5 upscaling in over 400 titles, we take a detailed look at image quality comparisons between the new 2nd generation Transformer model and its predecessor, along with anti-aliasing techniques like TAA and DLAA.
Getting Started with DLSS 4.5
To start using DLSS 4.5, make sure to update the Nvidia app to version 11.0.6.379 or later (it should automatically update on launch if it hasn’t done so already). While it’s not strictly necessary, having the latest Game Ready Driver version 591.74 or newer installed will enhance your experience.
Developers will take time to natively integrate DLSS 4.5 into their games. In the meantime, you can manually adjust the DLSS version through the Nvidia app.
DLSS works by rendering at a lower native resolution, which is usually shown as a percentage of the target resolution. For example, the internal render resolutions for a target of 4K would be:
You also have the option of using DLAA, Nvidia’s AI-based anti-aliasing solution that operates directly at the native resolution.
New Presets for DLSS 4.5
Nvidia uses preset settings to choose the appropriate DLSS version for each game based on its rendered resolution, with the new Preset L and Preset M created specifically for DLSS 4.5.
Preset M is the best option for DLSS Performance and higher modes, including DLAA, while Preset L is optimized for DLSS Ultra Performance. Preset K is the older Transformer from DLSS 4.
The simplest way to set your DLSS preferences is to choose DLSS Override to Recommended. This will automatically activate Preset M for Performance, L for Ultra Performance, and K for all other modes.
You also have the option to select your desired model preset from the Super Resolution dropdown in the Custom tab.
Another method is to choose the Super Resolution Mode to set an input resolution, which will then select the appropriate preset accordingly.
Once you have chosen your override mode for the game, open the Nvidia overlay (Alt+Z), navigate to Statistics, and choose DLSS in the Statistics view section.
This will display the model override preset when you press Alt+R while playing a game.
And that’s all there is to it. Now, let’s dive into some pixel examination.
Our testing setup consists of an Intel Core i9-14900K processor with 32 GB of DDR5-6400 RAM (32-39-39-80) and a Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 5090 Arcticstorm AiO GPU, all running on a Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master motherboard.
Testing Results with Popular Titles
For this comparison, we evaluated four popular AAA games: Battlefield 6, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Black Myth: Wukong. We compared image quality at 4K native TAA, 4K native DLAA, DLSS 4 Performance, and DLSS 4.5 Performance (Preset M).
All games were set to maxed-out 4K Ultra settings. Frame generation and ray reconstruction (RR) were disabled where applicable. Notably, RR still utilizes the original Transformer model, so enabling it in-game effectively reverts you back to DLSS 4.
In Battlefield 6, DLSS 4.5 Preset M shows noticeable visual enhancements compared to the previous Performance mode.
We observed a general increase in image sharpness, with many previously missing details—particularly in distant objects like mountains and terrain features—now appearing well-reconstructed. However, no significant improvements were seen in direct first-person view.
That said, these quality upgrades come at the cost of a 7% decrease in average frame rate when compared to the original Transformer model.
Doom: The Dark Ages takes advantage of the idTech8 engine’s built-in ray tracing, adding depth and gameplay value. The game also supports path tracing with ray reconstruction (RR), but we turned those off for our comparison.
Immediately, we can see that DLSS 4.5 Preset M provides a noticeably better image than even the native resolution, with details in the dried tree, the statue, and the rocky mound it sits on looking much clearer and sharper.
However, this improvement comes with a steep 44.5% performance hit, dropping the average frame rate from 175 fps using DLSS 4 Performance to just 97 fps with DLSS 4.5 Preset M.
Enabling path tracing (PT) with Preset M but without RR significantly enhances lighting quality but further halves the frame rate.
Despite being over five years old, Cyberpunk 2077’s neon-lit streets are still a great display for Nvidia’s latest tech.
With DLSS 4.5 Preset M and path tracing on, we noticed a considerable enhancement in scene quality. Reflections, in particular, appear much more realistic with Preset M compared to the pixelated look of the earlier Transformer.
Distant objects also show a marked improvement in sharpness and cleaner anti-aliasing with Preset M in comparison to TAA, while the average frame rate impact is minimal at around 3%.
Preset L offers nearly identical image quality to Preset M and a convincingly better picture compared to the older Ultra Performance mode without affecting frame rates.
That’s quite impressive, considering Preset L has to upscale from significantly fewer native pixels than Preset M.
Black Myth: Wukong, known for its dense foliage and path tracing effects, pushes Unreal Engine 5 to its limits, making it ideal for any upscaling help.
At Full RT Cinematic settings, Preset M effectively restores detail at long distances and reduces shimmer effects that were present with the old Transformer.
However, the overall image can appear a bit oversharpened, with noticeably sharper shadows compared to native TSR 100.
On average, the frame rate drop with Preset M is about 5% compared to DLSS 4 Performance mode.
Likewise, Preset L performs well in upscaling from 720p native, reconstructing the image with much clearer quality than the previous Transformer while virtually eliminating performance loss.
DLSS 4’s transition to a Transformer model from the DLSS 3.x convolutional neural network (CNN) already marked a significant enhancement in upscaled image quality. Nvidia’s new DLSS 4.5 with its 2nd generation Transformer promises even further fidelity improvements, and it mostly delivers.
Across the games tested, the primary visual impact of DLSS 4.5 is seen in increased sharpness and, at times, enhanced temporal stability, especially in long-distance views and complex lighting situations.
However, these differences are mostly noticeable when running DLSS Performance or Ultra Performance, as the 2nd generation Transformer is specifically optimized for these scenarios.
While Nvidia generally recommends Preset M, Preset L is surprisingly effective given the low native resolution it starts from. This can be especially advantageous for users with RTX 4060 or RTX 5060 GPUs (both laptop and desktop) that have limited VRAM.
Later in the year, Nvidia is set to introduce multi-frame generation (MFG) up to 6x, generating up to five frames for every rendered frame, but this feature will be exclusive to RTX 50 cards. MFG 6x will operate dynamically, producing just as many frames as needed to match the monitor’s refresh rate.
Conclusion
Now for the downside. The enhancements of DLSS 4.5 come at a cost. Even with high-end RTX 40 and RTX 50 series GPUs, you will notice a performance overhead, especially with Preset M. This can be quite significant in some games, necessitating the use of frame generation for smoother visuals.
The RTX 20 and RTX 30 series cards face even more challenges as their Tensor cores lack FP8 acceleration, which the 2nd generation Transformer relies on. While DLSS 4.5 is still functional on these cards, the performance penalty may easily outweigh the slight visual quality increase.
Ultimately, the advantages of upgrading to DLSS 4.5 are heavily reliant on the specific game, your target resolution and graphic settings, and the RTX GPU you’re utilizing.
Sometimes, sticking with the original DLSS 4 might still be the wiser option.
