The gaming industry has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years, with the demand for high-performance graphics and realistic visuals increasing exponentially. To cater to this demand, NVIDIA, a pioneer in the field of graphics processing, introduced its proprietary technology called Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). This innovative technology has taken the gaming world by storm, offering unparalleled visual quality and performance. But what GPUs use DLSS?
The Rise of AI-Powered Graphics
In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been increasingly used in various domains, including the gaming industry. NVIDIA’s DLSS is a prime example of AI-powered graphics technology that has revolutionized the way we experience gaming. By leveraging the power of deep learning, DLSS enables graphics cards to render high-quality visuals while reducing the computational load.
DLSS uses a deep neural network to learn the patterns of high-quality images and then applies this knowledge to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time. This results in a significant improvement in graphics quality, with crisper textures, reduced aliasing, and improved overall visual fidelity.
Which GPUs Support DLSS?
NVIDIA’s DLSS is exclusively available on select GeForce RTX graphics cards, which are powered by the Turing and Ampere architectures. The following GPUs support DLSS:
- GeForce RTX 2060
- GeForce RTX 2070
- GeForce RTX 2080
- GeForce RTX 3080
- GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
- GeForce RTX 3090
These GPUs are equipped with dedicated Tensor Cores, which are responsible for handling the complex AI-based calculations required for DLSS. The Tensor Cores work in tandem with the traditional CUDA cores to deliver exceptional performance and efficiency.
How DLSS Works
DLSS is a complex technology that involves several stages to produce high-quality visuals. Here’s a simplified overview of the process:
Training the Network
The first step in the DLSS process is to train a deep neural network using a large dataset of high-quality images. This network learns to recognize patterns and features in these images, which enables it to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time.
Image Upscaling
When a game or application uses DLSS, the GPU renders the scene at a lower resolution than the target resolution. The resulting image is then passed through the trained neural network, which uses its knowledge to upscale the image to the target resolution.
Image Reconstruction
The final step involves reconstructing the upscaled image, which involves combining the output from the neural network with the original low-resolution image. This results in a visually stunning image with improved texture quality, reduced aliasing, and enhanced overall visual fidelity.
Benefits of DLSS
DLSS offers several benefits that make it an attractive technology for gamers and developers:
Improved Performance
DLSS significantly reduces the computational load on the GPU, resulting in improved performance and frame rates. This enables gamers to play games at higher resolutions and detail settings, without sacrificing performance.
Enhanced Visuals
DLSS produces visuals that are comparable to native 4K resolution, with improved texture quality, reduced aliasing, and enhanced overall visual fidelity.
Increased Efficiency
DLSS is a highly efficient technology that reduces the power consumption of the GPU, making it an attractive option for laptops and other power-constrained devices.
Games That Support DLSS
Several games and applications have already adopted DLSS, with many more in development. Some popular titles that support DLSS include:
- Fortnite
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
- Control
- Wolfenstein: Youngblood
- Death Stranding
These games have been optimized to take advantage of DLSS, offering improved performance and visuals.
Conclusion
NVIDIA’s DLSS is a revolutionary technology that has raised the bar for graphics performance and quality. By leveraging the power of AI, DLSS enables graphics cards to produce stunning visuals while reducing the computational load. With its exclusive availability on select GeForce RTX graphics cards, DLSS has become a key differentiator for NVIDIA’s high-end GPUs. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it’s likely that DLSS will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of graphics technology.
What is DLSS?
DLSS stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling, a technology developed by NVIDIA that leverages the power of artificial intelligence to improve the performance of graphics rendering in real-time applications. By using deep learning algorithms to analyze and enhance images, DLSS enables faster frame rates and higher resolutions without sacrificing visual fidelity.
In traditional graphics rendering, the GPU has to render each frame individually, which can be computationally intensive. DLSS changes this by using a neural network to predict and fill in missing details, allowing the GPU to focus on rendering the most important parts of the image. This results in improved performance, reduced latency, and enhanced overall gaming experience.
How does DLSS improve graphics rendering?
DLSS improves graphics rendering in several ways. Firstly, it allows for faster rendering of high-resolution images, making it possible to achieve higher frame rates and smoother gameplay. This is particularly important for fast-paced games that require quick reflexes and rapid frame rates. Secondly, DLSS enables the rendering of complex graphics details that would otherwise be too computationally intensive for traditional GPU rendering.
Additionally, DLSS can also improve image quality by reducing artifacts and noise, making for a more immersive and engaging gaming experience. By leveraging the power of AI, DLSS can intelligently upscale and sharpen images, resulting in crisper textures and more detailed environments. Overall, DLSS revolutionizes graphics rendering by providing a faster, more efficient, and more visually stunning experience.
What kind of GPUs support DLSS?
DLSS is exclusive to NVIDIA’s RTX series of GPUs, starting from the GeForce RTX 20 series and later. This includes the GeForce RTX 2060, RTX 2070, RTX 2070 Super, RTX 2080, RTX 2080 Super, and higher. These GPUs are specifically designed to handle the complex AI-based rendering required for DLSS, making them the only GPUs capable of supporting this technology.
To take advantage of DLSS, you’ll need to have a compatible NVIDIA GPU installed in your system, as well as a DLSS-enabled game or application. The RTX series of GPUs is designed to provide superior performance and features compared to traditional GPUs, making them the ideal choice for gamers and content creators who want to experience the latest graphics innovations.
Can I use DLSS on any game or application?
No, not all games or applications can take advantage of DLSS. To use DLSS, the game or application must be specifically optimized and enabled for DLSS by the developers. This requires a deep understanding of the DLSS technology and API, as well as significant development and testing resources.
Currently, a growing list of popular games and applications support DLSS, including popular titles such as Fortnite, Minecraft, and Cyberpunk 2077. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more developers incorporating DLSS into their games and applications, providing an even wider range of options for users who want to take advantage of this innovative technology.
Is DLSS only for gaming?
While DLSS is primarily marketed as a gaming technology, it’s not limited to gaming applications alone. DLSS can be used in any real-time application that requires fast and efficient graphics rendering, such as medical imaging, video editing, and virtual reality.
In fact, DLSS has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries that rely on graphics rendering, from medical research to film production. By providing faster and more efficient rendering capabilities, DLSS can help professionals in various fields to work more efficiently, reduce costs, and achieve better results.
Does DLSS require a special graphics driver?
Yes, DLSS requires a special graphics driver that is specifically optimized for DLSS. NVIDIA provides a dedicated DLSS driver that is designed to work seamlessly with DLSS-enabled GPUs and applications. This driver is typically available as a separate download from NVIDIA’s website, and it’s recommended to install it to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.
By installing the DLSS driver, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the technology’s capabilities, including faster frame rates, improved image quality, and reduced latency. Additionally, the driver will also enable access to other RTX features, such as ray tracing, AI-enhanced graphics, and variable rate shading.
Can I use DLSS on older GPUs?
No, DLSS is exclusive to NVIDIA’s RTX series of GPUs, and it’s not compatible with older or non-RTX GPUs. This is because DLSS requires specific hardware components and architecture that are only available on RTX GPUs.
If you’re using an older GPU, you won’t be able to take advantage of DLSS, and you’ll need to consider upgrading to an RTX GPU to experience the benefits of this innovative technology. However, it’s worth noting that NVIDIA continues to develop and improve its graphics technologies, so it’s possible that future GPUs may include similar or even more advanced features.