What Is DLSS? NVIDIA's AI Tech for Better Gaming Performance Explained

DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is NVIDIA's proprietary technology that uses artificial intelligence to boost gaming performance on GeForce RTX graphics cards. Essentially, DLSS lets your game run at a lower internal resolution and then "upscales" the visuals to your target (such as 4K) using neural networks, resulting in higher frame rates with image quality close to native resolution.

👉 New to RTX graphics? For a primer on how RTX and ray tracing work, check out our in-depth guide: RTX and Ray Tracing: How Next-Gen Gaming Graphics Work.

DLSS Explained in Simple Terms

Normally, games render graphics directly at your chosen resolution-the higher the resolution, the lower your FPS. DLSS tackles this problem with a three-step process:

1. The game renders at a lower internal resolution.
2. NVIDIA's neural network reconstructs missing details and sharpens the image.
3. The result: higher FPS with visuals nearly indistinguishable from native 4K.

How DLSS Works on RTX Graphics Cards

DLSS is exclusive to RTX GPUs because it relies on dedicated Tensor Cores for AI processing. Each new version improves both image quality and efficiency:

How to Enable DLSS in Games

You can turn on DLSS in two main ways:

Via In-Game Settings

1. Launch your game.
2. Go to the Graphics / Video / Display Settings.
3. Find the "DLSS" or "NVIDIA DLSS" option.
4. Choose a mode:
   • Performance - maximizes FPS, lower quality
   • Balanced - optimal balance of quality and speed
   • Quality - almost native visuals, slightly lower FPS

Via GeForce Experience

1. Install GeForce Experience.
2. Enable "Game Optimization"-the app will automatically activate DLSS where available.

Which Games Support DLSS?

The list of DLSS-supported games is growing rapidly. By 2025, hundreds of titles include this technology:

DLSS and RTX: The Perfect Pair

DLSS shines brightest when paired with ray tracing (RTX). While RTX boosts realism with advanced lighting, shadows, and reflections, it can reduce FPS. DLSS offsets this performance drop, keeping gameplay smooth and responsive.

DLSS vs FSR: Which Is Better?

• DLSS - Only works on RTX cards and uses AI cores for superior image quality.
• FSR (AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution) - Universal, supports even older GPUs, but image quality is typically lower.
• XeSS (Intel) - Similar to FSR, but optimized for Intel Arc GPUs.

Conclusion

DLSS is the key to smooth gameplay on NVIDIA RTX graphics cards. This technology lets you enjoy ray-traced visuals and high resolutions without sacrificing high frame rates. If you own an NVIDIA RTX GPU, be sure to enable DLSS in your games-the boost in performance and image quality is immediately noticeable.

Frequently Asked Questions About DLSS

❓ What is DLSS in games?
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an NVIDIA technology that increases FPS by rendering the game at a lower resolution and upscaling the image using AI.

❓ Can DLSS work without RTX?
No. DLSS requires Tensor Cores, which are only present on NVIDIA GeForce RTX (20, 30, 40 series) graphics cards.

❓ How do I enable DLSS?
Open your game's graphics menu, select "DLSS," and pick a mode (Performance, Balanced, or Quality). You can also use GeForce Experience for automatic optimization.

❓ Which is better-DLSS or FSR?
DLSS delivers sharper visuals but is exclusive to RTX cards. FSR is available on most GPUs, including AMD and older NVIDIA models, but usually offers slightly lower quality.

❓ Which games support DLSS?
Many titles offer DLSS support: Cyberpunk 2077, Control, Minecraft RTX, Alan Wake 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, and hundreds more.

❓ Does DLSS reduce image quality?
In Performance mode, you may notice some loss of detail. In Balanced and Quality modes, visuals are nearly indistinguishable from native resolution.