NVIDIA DLDSR: What is it, When to use it and How to Enable it
The latest NVIDIA Game Driver (511.23), released this January 14th, complements the much anticipated port of God of War to the PC. Optimization for the latest Sony port is not the only major stuff this driver brought to the table though, as it also introduced freestyle filters, DLSS and Reflex updates and of course the all new AI powered Dynamic Super Resolution technology, DLDSR.
What is NVIDIA DLDSR
DLDSR is short for Deep Learning Dynamic Super Resolution. This is essentially the NVIDIA DSR with AI support that intelligently uses spare GPU cycles to improve image quality in games.
Now like DSR, DLDSR is a driver-based feature so it runs separately from the game you want to use – similar to popular post-processing injectors. That means it could work with most games and shouldn’t require any game side integration. With those in mind, DLDSR can also be combined with other in-game settings.
Last but not the least, DLDSR is exclusive to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs due to its capabilities to run the Deep Learning network required. With this in mind, it is the first RTX based feature to support a wide range of games out of the box.
When to Use DLDSR
You’d want to try DLDSR out if you have games that do not tax GPUs much. That means classics, eSport titles or even older AAA games such as Prey, Starcraft 2 and Diablo III to name a few. It’s safe to say that well optimized games and those with more powerful RTX hardware could also benefit from this feature. You may even cap or limit your frame rate to improve GPU utilization.
You may check this out yourself using overlays such as NVIDIA’s very own FrameView, GeForce Experience Performance Overlay or RivaTuner based applications. I’d suggest the GeForce Experience Performance Overlay for its simplicity and ease of use. Fire up your desired game, preferably something older or well optimized. Below is a screenshot from Control – an example using the overlay but with a high GPU utilization.
Now if your game is barely hitting 80% GPU utilization even at graphically intense scenes, that remaining 20% could be used to improve visual fidelity. A good example here is the comparison between Prey’s native, DSR and DLDSR settings. Notice that the textures, particularly on the boxes are better than native – along with better defined edges and shimmer. This downsampling method also improves performance over 4x DSR which is its equivalent when it comes to image quality.
DLDSR is especially beneficial for gamers on 1080p or 1440p monitors with excess GPU headroom as they can improve visuals with less noticeable performance impact.
How DLDSR Works
In order to understand how DLDSR works, we first need to understand how DSR works. Basically, DSR renders a game at higher resolution then scales the result back down to the resolution of your monitor with larger sample points and use of gaussian filters. DLDSR on the other hand does the same thing but with the aid of Artificial Intelligence or technically speaking, the Tensor cores parked on RTX GPUs. It does this by using the Tensor core-accelerated AI network trained to recognize lines and edges to discriminate between aliasing and texture detail.
Due to the enhanced accuracy of this AI-based approach, DLDSR is able to improve image quality while requiring less pixels to be rendered compared to standard super sampling. For example, DLDSR set to 2.25x factor provides visually similar benefits to image quality (i.e. improved clarity and temporal stability) as DSR provides when set to 4x.
DLDSR does not replace DLSS if that’s what on your mind – it actually works the opposite way. Again, like DSR, DLDSR renders at a higher resolution and scales to a lower resolution to gain image quality, whilst DLSS renders at a lower resolution and scales up to gain performance while maintaining image quality. Additionally, DLDSR is a spatial technique that works on a frame-by-frame basis whereas DLSS takes information from multiple frames to reconstruct a higher fidelity image. More information about DLSS could be found on our guide here.
How to enable DLDSR:
Enabling DLDSR is a simple matter. You just have to visit the venerable NVIDIA Control Panel and look for the DSR Factors settings under the Manage 3D Settings menu. Once enabled, remember the resolutions pertaining to the DLDSR settings you chose so you wont confuse it with the in-game resolutions for the titles where you want it disabled.
- Launch NVIDIA Control Panel
- Navigate to “Manage 3D Settings”
- Scroll down to “DSR Factors”
- Select either or both of the DL-based DSR factors (1.78x, 2.25x)
- Click “OK” and then “apply”
- New DLDSR resolutions will now be added to the system and available to select within the NVIDIA Control Panel, Windows Display settings, and in-game resolution settings
DLDSR and DSR factors are based on the maximum resolution of the connected display, thus different factor resolutions will be available when your system is connected to a 1080p, 1440p or a 4K monitor. To see the benefit of DLDSR vs. DSR, measure the performance of DLDSR at 2.25x vs. DSR at 4x. You will notice that image quality is comparable between these two settings, but DLDSR runs substantially faster. You may once again use the NVIDIA GeForce Performance Overlay to check this out.
Final Thoughts
DLDSR is a nice addition to the growing GeForce Experience and RTX feature set. NVIDIA intended this technology to let gamers enjoy older titles – in conjunction with the new freestyle filters but the benefits shouldn’t end there. It is actually a viable visual fidelity and performance oriented option for those rocking an RTX graphics card while also looking for something more efficient over DSR or where DLSS compatibility is practically nonexistent.
That said, the NVIDIA DLDSR serves as a proper middle ground between the two settings. Heck, I even find it better compared to NVIDIA Image Scaling and DLAA – two other forms of scaling technology from NVIDIA, making DLDSR the fifth on the list and my personal favorite thus far.
AI-Powered DSR, Enabling & Remastering Games – Nvidia’s DLDSR
In the last few years, Nvidia has successfully infused AI computing with PC gaming to make the experience as realistic as possible. Recently, they released their latest GeForce Game Ready driver to aid peak graphic definition in games like God of War, Rainbow Six Extraction and Hitman III.
On top of that, Nvidia also introduced an updated control panel feature, the DLDSR technology.
It’s an enhancement of Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR). The DSR technology renders games at a more detailed resolution and smartly demagnifies the result back to the resolution of your monitor. As a result, you’re able to achieve 4K, 3840×2160 quality graphics on any screen.
With the extensive rate of ongoing advancement in the gaming world, keeping yourself up to date with new technologies can be a difficult task.
Hence, here’s a guide into the basics of Nvidia’s DLDSR and how to enable it on your computer.
What is Nvidia’s AI-powered DLDSR?
Nvidia’s AI-Powered DLDSR | Source: Nvidia
Nvidia’s DLDSR, known as Deep Learning Dynamic Super Resolution, combines the benefits of AI with the previous DSR technology to improve the quality of a game without losing large chunks of frame rate.
Nvidia’s DSR uses the method of downsampling to improve image quality by increasing detail, steamrolling edges, and decreasing shimmering. For example, in a 1080p resolution display, a 4x DSR would upscale the game resolution to 4K and downsample it back to 1080p.
On the other hand, a 2.25x DLDSR can carry out the same task with higher efficiency. So, Nvidia’s DLDSR only requires half the power DSR does.
Compared to a loss of 40 FPS in DSR, DLDSR loses only a couple of frames per second by maintaining performance close to the initial level.
However, it only runs on consoles with GeForce RTX graphic cards due to the presence of Tensor Cores in them.
Note: In simple terms, Tensor Cores are mini processing units that speed up complicated AI operations.
How to enable Nvidia’s DLDSR on your PC?
To enable Nvidia’s DLDSR, you need to switch on the DL scaling feature under the 3D settings section in the Nvidia control panel.
You can enable the DLDSR technology in your PC through the following ways:
I. Update Your Nvidia Drivers
Update Your Nvidia Drivers | Source: Nvidia
First, you need to update your drivers from the Nvidia website. The DLDSR feature was first made available for driver version 511.23 on January 14. Hence, make sure to install the appropriate driver.
But, you can also choose to wait for it to get added to Nvidia’s newer drivers.
II. Open Nvidia Control Panel
Open Nvidia Control Panel
Once your driver is up to date, you are required to open the Nvidia control panel. You can do so by right-clicking on the desktop screen or the Nvidia icon in the tray.
Note: The Nvidia Control Panel is strictly available only for PCs with a Windows operating system.
III. Enable DL Scaling
Enable DL Scaling
After you’re in the Nvidia control panel, select the ‘Manage 3D settings’ tab on the left-hand side column. Then under the global settings tab, search and click on the DSR-Factors parameter.
A DL scaling window will pop up. Tick on the box next to the 2.25x DL option, apply the settings, and you’re good to go.
How to play remastered versions of games using Nvidia’s DLDSR?
Play Remastered Versions of Games Using Nvidia’s DLDSR
By combining Nividia’s DLDSR and SSRTGI, a modern depth-based Freestyle filter, gamers can play the remastered version of various games.
Nvidia has linked up with Pascal Gilcher and released three upgraded and dense Freestyle filters to take the gaming experience up a notch.
Note: Pascal Gilcher is the inventor of ReShade, a post-processing graphic shuffler that gives gamers the power to adjust the color and lighting settings in various games.
Listed below are the three latest Freestyle filters and their uses:
I. SSRTGI
The Screen Space Ray Traced Global Illumination technology amplifies lighting and shadows in your game to promote realism.
It’s also known as the Ray Tracing ReShade filter.
II. SSAO
Screen Space Ambient Occlusion filter highlights the display of shadows in a poorly lit atmosphere, mainly around the convergence of 3D objects.
Originally, Vladimir Kajalin developed it in 2007. Crysis was the first game to adopt this computer graphics technique.
III. Dynamic DOF
Nvidia’s Dynamic Depth of Field filter applies a certain kind of blur depending on the closeness of items in a scene of your game. Even better, it provides the visuals with a pictorial touch.
You can notice its essence in the background while reloading a gun in several games.
Nvidia claims that DLDSR will outperform DSR in terms of efficiency. However, you can use this guide to enable the software and see it yourself.
About Nvidia
NVIDIA Corporation is an American multinational technology company incorporated in Delaware, based in Santa Clara, California. They design graphics processing units (GPUs) for the gaming and professional markets, as well as system on chip units (SoCs) for the mobile computing and automotive market.
Best known for the “GeForce” lines of GPUs, they are a direct competitor to AMD’s “Radeon” series. NVIDIA has also expanded its offerings with its handheld game consoles Shield Portable, Shield Tablet, and Shield Android TV and its cloud gaming service GeForce Now.
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Gaming has always been my nirvana! To relax and get my thoughts to zen mode — just like how it should be! My favorite- Assassin’s Creed franchise, hands down!
Ps. bless the makers of San Andreas for letting me swim after Vice City. 😉
What is NVIDIA’s DLDSR? (And How to Enable It)
While the Graphics Card shortage is speculated to be nearing its end, the future remains uncertain.
And even with NVIDIA’s 40xx series and AMD’s 6×50 cards just over the horizon, there’s a good chance these cards will be both expensive, and difficult to obtain.
With that in mind, many users have been looking for ways to squeeze as much performance as possible out of their current GPUs.
For owners of NVIDIA cards, DLDSR is one such feature that allows for improved performance at no extra cost. So what is it, and how do you enable it?
DLDSR vs DLSS
Deep Learning Dynamic Super Resolution (abbreviated as DLDSR) is similar to DLSS in the sense that it uses excess GPU power to improve both image quality and framerate. While there is a distinct difference between the two—DLDSR being a downscaling technique, and DLSS being an upscaling technique—they both make use of NVIDIA’s powerful AI, and by extension, the onboard tensor cores.
And while these are both powerful tools in their own right, tensor cores are only present in NVIDIA’s RTX series of cards—meaning that at the time of writing, DLDSR is limited to their 20 and 30 series of cards (though this will soon include the upcoming 40 series).
To understand how DLDSR works, it’s useful to also understand Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR), as well as Dynamic Super Sampling (DLSS).
What is DSR?
Of these three technologies, DSR is the oldest of the bunch, having been introduced seven years ago, along with the advent of NVIDIA’s 970 and 980 graphics cards. While the terms “upscaling” and “downscaling” might cause confusion, the process and results are rather simple.
DSR essentially takes advantage of any available GPU headroom, allowing frames to be rendered at a higher resolution. These higher resolution images are then made smaller to fit the screen. In spite of this process, the improved picture quality resulting from the higher initial rendering resolution is noticeable.
This is similar to the way that Super Sample Anti-Aliasing (SSAA) works—though SSAA is something that must be implemented by game developers, rather than running off of the GPU itself.
What is DLDSR?
DLDSR serves as a direct upgrade to DSR itself, making use of NVIDIA’s neural network to provide the same end product as DSR while making the process more efficient, making it less taxing on the GPU overall. This is achieved through use of the onboard neural network of RTX cards.
DSR archives its end result by forcing the GPU itself to put in extra work, and in this process, much of this extra work ends up being thrown away. This is where the neural network and tensor cores of RTX cards step in. Rather than straight up rendering images at a higher resolution, the AI of RTX cards is able to understand what the image should look like at a higher resolution, and modifies the image accordingly before being displayed.
drivers are up to date—DLDSR was only recently added, and keeping them up to date minimizes the risk of anything going wrong.
- First, launch the NVIDIA control panel. You can do this by right-clicking an empty space on your desktop area.
- Next, navigate to 3d settings.
- Under 3d settings, there should be a dropdown labeled “DSR – Factors.” Click on it.
- Select the DL-Based DSR factor of your choice.
- Click “OK,” and then “Apply.”
This will add new resolutions to the NVIDIA control panel, Windows Display settings, and in-game resolution settings.
When Should You Use DLDSR?
While DLDSR (and by extension DSR) offers substantial benefits—both in terms of image quality and performance—it’s not something that you can or should be using at all times.
This is because, as previously mentioned, DLDSR makes use of GPU headroom, or extra GPU power that’s not actively being utilized. Because of this, if your GPU usage is at or close to 100% (think 90-100%) on certain games, it’s best to leave it off.
Conversely, if GPU usage is at or below
80%, DLDSR just might help you get that extra bit of performance left on the table.
Robert Brandon
Robert has been building and selling computers as a hobby for a little over 3 years now. When he’s not busy immersing himself in his studies, he spends his time reading, writing, and duking it out with others in a wide variety of multiplayer games.
What is Nvidia’s DLDSR and how to enable it
In a game-ready driver, Nvidia has released plenty of other features than just updates for upcoming games. Alongside support for the PC God of War and Rainbow Six Extraction, they released DLDSR (Deep Learning Dynamic Super Resolution). The software is an AI way to improve the quality of your game without the loss of a great deal of framerate. This is a near double improvement of their previous DSR solution. The feature is limited to RTX cards only due to their Tensor cores but will work in most games.
For instance, previously for a 1080p resolution display, DSR 4x would upscale the game to a 4k resolution and downsample it to 1080p to enhance the detail, edges, and shimmering of the image. With the new AI solution, there is a promise of it requiring only half that power. So the same 4k resolution in FSR now only requires 2.25x in DLDSR, which will greatly improve performance. With DSR what may have lost nearly 40 FPS will only lose a couple according to the Prey screenshot below.
More recently, Nvidia announced it’s RTX 4000 series graphics cards. With a new DLSS 3 feature combining the features together with Ada cards you can possibly achieve quite the performance increase. But first they will have to release some more reasonably price cards.