Nvidia officially integrates DLSS Transformer Model into DLSS 4, enhancing image quality and efficiency.
Upgrading Gaming: The Brilliance of DLSS 4
Hold onto your joysticks folks, because Nvidia's latest gaming innovation, DLSS 4, is here - and it's a game changer! First unveiled at CES 2025, this technology follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, but with some major upgrades that are taking the gaming world by storm. Despite AMD's FSR 4 making some headway, Nvidia's DLSS remains the undisputed champion of upscaling tech for gamers. And now, DLSS 4 has officially left beta with its latest release.
Say Goodbye to CNNs, Hello to Transformers
Up until now, DLSS was restricted to using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). These networks analyze neighboring pixels and estimate their worth for each frame, allowing for quick generation of artificial pixels and upscaling of the image. However, this process can sometimes result in artifacts based on incorrect predictions. With time, it became apparent that not much more could be achieved by sticking with the same method.
So, Nvidia decided to shake things up big time - they switched to a Transformer-based model for DLSS 4! Under the hood, the new model examines every pixel in a frame to analyze its importance, instead of relying on rough estimates from large pixel clusters as in CNNs. This enables finer detail that would otherwise be lost or obfuscated with imprecise pixels from a surrounding area. In the end, you get a much sharper image that looks closer to native resolution than ever before.
And that's not all! Apart from the boost in visuals, the Transformer model also brings a significant improvement in efficiency. Nvidia has doubled the parameters of DLSS 4 compared to previous models, which enables a 30-50% increment in raytracing performance, all while reducing latency from 3.25ms to just 1ms on an RTX 5090.
RTX 50-Series Enthusiasts, Prepare to be Blown Away
If you own an RTX 50-series GPU, you're in for a real treat with DLSS 4! The Blackwell architecture plays a massive role here, enabling multi-frame generation. Instead of 1 fake frame being generated between 2 real ones, it can now generate up to 3 fake frames from just 1 preceding real frame. Not only that, but the memory optimizations and vertical layer fusion make it easy for RTX 50-series to handle Transformer models that are twice the size of their CNN counterparts without breaking a sweat.
And guess what? The Transformer model is coming to all RTX GPUs, regardless of their generation. So even if you're rocking a Turing card, you'll still get to enjoy the advances made with Transformer-based DLSS (apart from frame gen). Get ready for smoother gameplay with less jagged edges, less ghosting during motion, and a reduction in overall artifacting due to a more nuanced understanding of the scene.
Today, DLSS's Transformer model finally exits beta in the newly released 310.3.0 update. Nvidia should be officially switching to the Transformer model and phasing out CNNs in the upcoming stable DLSS release. Get ready to experience more stable pixels in your favorite games!
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Sources: 1. Nvidia's DLSS Technology Explained: A Deep Dive into AI-Powered Upscaling | Tom's Hardware 2. DLSS 4.0 has arrived: Ray tracing performance boost, new features for RTX 30-series GPUs | Windows Central 3. DLSS 4.0: What it means for RTX 30-series gaming and beyond | PCWorld 4. Nvidia's DLSS enables higher quality gaming visuals with a 20-30% reduction in VRAM usage | VideoCardz 5. Nvidia's RTX 3090 ranks highest in performance and value among current GPUs, with DLSS 4.0 enabling higher quality gaming visuals on AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 | GamingTrend
- The Transformer-based model in DLSS 4, a significant upgrade from the previous Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), enables a finer detail analysis in every pixel, resulting in a much sharper image closer to native resolution.
- With the Transformer model, Nvidia's DLSS 4 brings not only visual improvements but also efficiency advancements, enabling an impressive 30-50% increment in raytracing performance and reducing latency on an RTX 5090.
