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Best DLSS Settings for Balancing Image Quality and Frame Rate

Start with DLSS Quality, then lower the input resolution only as far as needed to meet your frame-rate target. Compare modes in the same scene and inspect detail and motion.
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Start with DLSS Quality for the clearest upscaled image, then try Balanced if you need more performance. Move to Performance or Ultra Performance only when the added speed is worth the softer or less stable fine detail. There is no mode that is best for every game: compare options in the same scene, at the same output resolution, and watch both still detail and motion.

What each DLSS mode is for

DLSS Super Resolution reconstructs a higher-resolution image from a lower-resolution input. NVIDIA describes it as using AI to output higher-resolution frames from a lower-resolution input: NVIDIA DLSS technology. The lower the input resolution, the more work the reconstruction has to do; the practical trade-off is between performance and image detail, and the result varies by game, GPU, output resolution, and model preset.

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Setting When to try it NVIDIA input-resolution example
Quality Begin here when image clarity is the priority or your frame rate is already near target. 67% of output resolution, per NVIDIA app guidance; an example, not an FPS guarantee. NVIDIA app guidance
Balanced Try it when Quality does not meet your frame-rate target. Check the particular game’s image rather than assuming it is the best compromise. Not stated in the cited NVIDIA app guidance. NVIDIA app guidance
Performance Use when you need a larger performance gain, particularly at high output resolutions, and accept more reconstruction. 50% of output resolution, per NVIDIA app guidance; an example, not an FPS guarantee. NVIDIA app guidance
Ultra Performance Reserve for performance-first use, especially at high output resolutions; inspect fine detail and motion carefully. 33% of output resolution, per NVIDIA app guidance; an example, not an FPS guarantee. NVIDIA app guidance
DLAA Choose when image quality is the priority and you have performance headroom. Native-resolution anti-aliasing, rather than a performance-oriented upscaling mode. NVIDIA DLSS technology

Input-resolution percentages are NVIDIA’s published configuration examples, not independent benchmark results. They do not predict a specific frame-rate gain. A Fortnite setup guide gives a useful game-specific starting point—Performance at 4K, Balanced at 2560×1440, and Quality at 1920×1080—but that recommendation is for Fortnite and is not a universal rule: NVIDIA’s Fortnite setup guide.

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How to choose and compare modes

  1. Set the target first. Use the same game, output resolution, graphics settings, and scene for each comparison. Note the frame rate you are trying to reach; a mode is useful only if it moves performance toward that target without unacceptable image defects.
  2. Start with Quality. Look at fine textures, thin objects, and edges both while stationary and while moving. If performance is sufficient, there is little reason to lower the input resolution solely to select a more aggressive mode.
  3. Try Balanced when needed. Repeat the same scene and compare it directly with Quality. The balance depends on the game’s implementation and scene, so neither its name nor a resolution guideline guarantees the best result.
  4. Escalate to Performance, then Ultra Performance only as necessary. Check whether each step provides enough added performance to justify any lost detail, shimmering, ghosting, or instability in motion.
  5. Keep the setting that meets your target with acceptable motion and detail. Recheck after changing game resolution, GPU, driver, or DLSS model, since those changes can alter the trade-off.

For a more precise adjustment, NVIDIA app overrides in supported games can expose presets or custom input-resolution scaling. NVIDIA describes custom values between 33% and 100%; use one when the standard modes leave a gap, then validate the result in the game rather than assuming an intermediate percentage will look or perform predictably. Availability depends on game and app support. NVIDIA app guidance

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Tune Super Resolution separately from other DLSS features

DLSS is a group of features, not one control. Super Resolution is the upscaling choice addressed by Quality, Balanced, Performance, and Ultra Performance. Frame Generation creates additional frames, while Ray Reconstruction targets ray-traced image reconstruction. DLAA is native-resolution anti-aliasing. Change Super Resolution first when you are balancing image quality against rendering performance; assess Frame Generation separately for responsiveness and check whether the game supports NVIDIA Reflex. NVIDIA DLSS technology NVIDIA app guidance

Account for your GPU and active model

NVIDIA’s DLSS 4.5 guidance describes Recommended model behavior as Preset M for Performance, Preset L for Ultra Performance, and Preset K for the remaining modes. It also says RTX 20- and 30-series GPUs lack native FP8 support, so Models M and L may have a heavier performance impact on those generations. These details are version-sensitive: driver, NVIDIA app, and game support can affect available overrides and active models. When checking a result, use the DLSS statistics overlay in the NVIDIA app to see which model is active. NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 guidance

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Compatibility note

DLSS requires compatible GeForce RTX hardware and game support; NVIDIA’s technology page describes the feature suite and supported technologies: NVIDIA DLSS technology. If your current hardware does not support DLSS, an RTX graphics card is one possible upgrade path. If you already have compatible hardware, you do not need to buy anything to adjust these settings.

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