Key Takeaways
1. Nvidia is launching DLSS 4.5 at CES 2026, not the anticipated RTX 50 Super series GPUs.
2. DLSS 4.5 features a 2nd generation Transformer model that improves temporal stability, reduces ghosting artifacts, and enhances anti-aliasing.
3. DLSS 4.5 currently upgrades only the Transformer model, with no changes to ray reconstruction or Nvidia Reflex.
4. Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) technology is enhanced in RTX 50 GPUs, achieving up to 6x frame generation for smoother gameplay, with improved frame pacing and quality.
5. Nvidia’s app allows users to apply DLSS 4.5 directly to compatible games, but MFG 6x will be available only in Spring 2026 for RTX 50 series GPUs.
While it might catch some off guard, Nvidia is not revealing the anticipated RTX 50 Super series GPUs today. Instead, the company is presenting a new treat for gamers at CES 2026: the launch of DLSS 4.5.
Improvements in DLSS 4.5
The Transformer model in DLSS 4 significantly enhanced the quality of visual upscaling compared to the earlier convolution neural network (CNN) technique utilized in previous DLSS versions. Although the transition to Transformer was generally welcomed, it had its flaws, especially regarding ghosting effects and a drop in temporal stability in certain games.
Nvidia aims to address these issues with the 2nd gen Transformer in DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution.
As per Nvidia, the 2nd generation Transformer in DLSS 4.5 offers better temporal stability, which should lead to sharper images, fewer ghosting artifacts, and improved anti-aliasing.
Some Drawbacks to Consider
However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind! First, DLSS 4.5 currently only upgrades the Transformer model for upscaling purposes. There are no adjustments to DLSS 4’s ray reconstruction or Nvidia Reflex at this time.
DLSS 4’s Transformer has some performance costs. Digital Foundry pointed out in their DLSS 4 analysis that the Turing RTX 20 series and Ampere RTX 30 series cards face a substantial performance hit with the Transformer, mainly because their Tensor cores only support FP16 inference natively.
With the Ada Lovelace RTX 40 generation, Nvidia introduced native FP8 into the 4th gen Tensor cores, which greatly enhances Transformer-based upscaling. The latest Blackwell RTX 50 series GPUs are equipped with 5th gen Tensor cores that support native FP4 inference, making it the optimal choice for running Transformer with minimal performance loss.
Nvidia suggests that the 2nd gen Transformer model in DLSS 4.5 is five times more compute-heavy and will significantly benefit from FP8 acceleration when used with RTX 40 series cards and newer.
Thus, it’s reasonable to think that older RTX 20 and RTX 30 series GPUs will incur a relatively larger performance drop when enabling Transformer v2, although the precise amount can’t be determined until proper testing is conducted.
Frame Generation Advancements
While Ada brought frame generation thanks to the architecture’s optical flow accelerator, the RTX 50 Blackwell GPUs have taken it further with multi-frame generation (MFG), achieving rates up to four times the base frame rate using a clever feature called hardware flip metering.
Even though MFG greatly enhanced the smoothness of gameplay and created the sensation of a higher frame rate, it has not been without issues.
The primary worry has been about increased latency and input lag, much of which can be mitigated with Nvidia Reflex. Another significant concern was the appearance of glaring artifacts, particularly during fast-moving scenes.
Alongside the 2nd generation Transformer, Nvidia is now rolling out MFG up to 6x on RTX 50 Blackwell GPUs. The company claims that MFG 6x brings better frame pacing and quality aimed at reaching 240 fps, as 240 Hz monitors are becoming more common.
To facilitate this, DLSS 4.5 incorporates Dynamic Multi Frame Generation, allowing the system to automatically select the appropriate MFG multiplier (up to a maximum of 6x) to match the monitor’s refresh rate.
According to Nvidia, DLSS 4.5 along with 6x MFG can achieve up to 246 fps on an RTX 5080 at 4K with path tracing enabled in Black Myth: Wukong.
You won’t have to wait for game developers to implement DLSS 4.5 support in their games. The Nvidia app should let you apply the DLSS 4.5 override directly to any game in your library that supports DLSS starting today.
Since older RTX cards might see performance penalties, Nvidia is also providing the option to switch between CNN, Transformer v1, and Transformer v2 as needed.
However, MFG 6x will be available only in Spring 2026 for — you guessed it — exclusively the RTX 50 series GPUs.
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