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For the sharpest image, use DLAA at your display’s native resolution if your GPU already delivers a comfortable frame rate. If you need more performance, start with DLSS Super Resolution: Quality, then try Balanced or Performance only if needed. Check the result in motion as well as in still scenes: the best choice depends on the game’s implementation, your GPU, and your performance target.
Which DLSS mode should you use?
DLSS features do different jobs, so the best setting depends on what you want to improve. NVIDIA describes Super Resolution as reconstructing higher-resolution frames from a lower-resolution render in its driver guide.
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| Feature | What it does | When to try it |
|---|---|---|
| DLAA | Applies AI anti-aliasing at native output resolution. | When image quality is the priority and your frame rate is already adequate. |
| Super Resolution | Renders the game at a lower resolution and reconstructs the selected output resolution. | When GPU performance is the constraint. Start with Quality; use a more performance-oriented mode only if necessary. |
| Frame Generation or Multi Frame Generation | Creates additional displayed frames; it is separate from the Super Resolution mode. | When supported and you want a higher displayed frame rate. Pair Frame Generation with Reflex when available for responsiveness. |
| Ray Reconstruction | Replaces traditional denoising in supported ray-traced scenes. | For a supported ray-tracing workflow, not as a general upscaling switch. |
| Reflex | Synchronizes CPU and GPU work to reduce system latency. | When responsiveness matters, particularly in competitive play, if the game offers the setting. |
NVIDIA explains these distinctions in its DLSS overview and developer overview.
How to tune DLSS for your game
- Confirm that the specific game supports the DLSS feature you want. Support varies by title and implementation; having an RTX GPU does not guarantee that every DLSS control is available.
- Set the output resolution and graphics settings you actually intend to use. If performance is already sufficient, compare DLAA with the game’s native anti-aliasing option.
- If you need more frame rate, select Super Resolution Quality first. Try Balanced or Performance only if Quality does not meet your target.
- Check detailed scenes both while standing still and while moving. Look at foliage, thin geometry, fine detail, and lighting for instability, ghosting, or lost detail.
- Treat Frame Generation and Ray Reconstruction as separate, optional controls. Enable Reflex if it is available and responsiveness is important.
- Do not combine NVIDIA’s native DLSS Frame Generation with Smooth Motion. NVIDIA warns that using them together can reduce performance and cause visual artifacts, as described in its driver guide.
DLAA or DLSS Quality: which looks better?
DLAA is the quality-first option when the GPU can maintain an acceptable frame rate at native resolution: it applies anti-aliasing without using a lower-resolution input render. Super Resolution Quality is the sensible first step when you need additional performance. It reconstructs the output from a lower-resolution render, so compare its image with DLAA in the game rather than assuming either will look identical across titles.
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Does DLSS Performance look worse?
Performance mode is intended to offer more performance than Quality by rendering from a lower-resolution input, but the visible trade-off depends on the game, scene, and implementation. Fine detail and movement can reveal artifacts or loss of stability that a still screenshot misses. If those changes distract you, move back to Balanced or Quality and adjust other graphics settings to meet your frame-rate target.
Older NVIDIA developer guidance described default input-resolution targets for Quality, Balanced, Performance, and Ultra Performance, while noting developers could adjust them. Those historical ratios are not guaranteed values for every current game or universal DLSS 4.5 settings; see the developer guidance.
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How to judge performance, image quality, and responsiveness
- Input detail: Super Resolution modes reconstruct from a lower-resolution render; DLAA operates at native output resolution.
- Image stability: Inspect fine detail and movement, not just a static frame.
- Responsiveness: A higher displayed frame rate from generated frames is not equivalent to the same native rendered-frame rate. Consider how the game feels and use Reflex when available.
- Compatibility: Check support for the exact game, feature, and GPU generation.
Compatibility and NVIDIA App model overrides
DLSS options and libraries depend on a game and its update level. NVIDIA’s developer overview lists Multi Frame Generation for GeForce RTX 50 Series and RTX PRO Blackwell GPUs; do not assume that all RTX cards expose the same features.
The NVIDIA App can apply DLSS overrides globally or per game. NVIDIA’s DLSS 4.5 FAQ, updated January 14, 2026, says the Recommended setting selects Model M for Performance, Model L for Ultra Performance, and Model K for other modes. The FAQ also says Models M and L may have a larger performance impact on RTX 20 and 30 Series GPUs, which lack native FP8 support. Although M and L can be used in other modes, NVIDIA expects their strongest quality/performance benefit in Performance and Ultra Performance. If those models reduce performance on an RTX 20 or 30 Series card, Model K may be preferable. Check the NVIDIA App overlay to verify which preset is active, and consult the FAQ for current mappings and behavior.
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