DLSS 4 is Nvidia's upscaling technology that makes games run faster by rendering at lower resolution and using AI to sharpen the image

DLSS 4 (Deep Learning Super Sampling 4) is Nvidia's latest upscaling system. It renders your game at a lower resolution than your monitor displays, then uses artificial intelligence to enlarge and sharpen the image back to full size. The result is higher frame rates with minimal visible loss in image quality. DLSS 4 works only on Nvidia graphics cards — specifically RTX 50-series cards and some RTX 40-series models.

Enabling DLSS 4 happens inside each game's graphics settings menu. The exact location and naming vary by game, but the process is the same: find the upscaling or DLSS option, turn it on, and choose your quality level. Some games ship with DLSS 4 support built in; others receive it through updates after launch.

Key Takeaways

  • DLSS 4 only works on RTX 50-series cards and select RTX 40-series cards — check Nvidia's official list to confirm your GPU supports it.
  • You must enable DLSS 4 inside each game's graphics settings; it does not turn on automatically.
  • DLSS 4 offers three quality modes (Performance, Balanced, Quality) that trade frame rate for image sharpness — Performance gives the biggest speed boost.
  • Not every game supports DLSS 4 yet; you can check Nvidia's supported games list to see whether your titles have it.

Check Your Graphics Card First

DLSS 4 requires an Nvidia RTX 50-series card (RTX 5090, 5080, 5070, 5070 Ti) or certain RTX 40-series cards (RTX 4090, 4080, 4080 Super, 4070 Ti Super, and a few others). If you own an older Nvidia card or use an AMD or Intel GPU, DLSS 4 will not be available to you.

To find out which card you have, right-click your desktop, select Nvidia Control Panel, and look for your GPU name under "System Information." Alternatively, open Windows Settings, go to System > Display > Advanced Display Settings, and scroll down to find your graphics card listed under "Display Information."

Nvidia maintains an official list of DLSS 4-compatible cards on its website. Cross-reference your card against that list to confirm support before looking for DLSS 4 in your games.

Update Your Graphics Driver

DLSS 4 requires a recent Nvidia driver. Outdated drivers will not recognize DLSS 4 even if your card supports it, so updating is essential before you try to enable it in any game.

Open Nvidia GeForce Experience (the Nvidia app that came with your graphics card), click the Drivers tab, and select "Check for Updates." If an update is available, download and install it, then restart your computer. Alternatively, visit Nvidia's driver download page, select your GPU model and operating system, and download the latest driver directly.

After the driver installs and your computer restarts, your system is ready to use DLSS 4 in supported games.

Enable DLSS 4 Inside Your Game

Once your driver is current, launch a game that supports DLSS 4. Open the game's graphics or video settings menu — this is usually found in the main menu or pause menu, often labeled "Settings," "Options," or "Graphics."

Look for an option labeled "DLSS," "Upscaling," "Super Resolution," or "Frame Generation." The exact name depends on the game. When you find it, select it and turn it on. The game will then show you available quality modes.

DLSS 4 typically offers three modes: Performance (lowest resolution, highest frame rate), Balanced (middle ground), and Quality (highest resolution, lowest frame rate boost). Start with Balanced or Quality if you want to see the difference; switch to Performance if you need more speed. Some games also include an Ultra Performance mode for even faster rendering.

Understand the Three Quality Modes

Performance mode renders at the lowest resolution and gives you the biggest frame rate increase — often 50 to 100 percent faster. Image quality drops noticeably, but the AI upscaling keeps text and fine details readable. Use this mode if you prioritize smooth gameplay over visual fidelity, or if you are playing at high resolution (like 4K) and want playable frame rates.

Balanced mode splits the difference. It renders at a medium resolution and boosts frame rates by 30 to 50 percent while keeping image quality close to native rendering. This is the default choice for most players because it feels like a fair trade.

Quality mode renders at a higher resolution and provides a smaller frame rate boost — typically 15 to 30 percent — but the image looks nearly identical to rendering at full resolution. Choose this if your monitor refresh rate is already high enough and you want the sharpest possible image.

You can change modes at any time by returning to the graphics menu, so experiment to find what works best for your monitor and preferences.

Check If Your Game Supports DLSS 4

Not every game has DLSS 4 support. Some older titles have DLSS 3 or DLSS 2 instead, which work on older Nvidia cards. Others have no Nvidia upscaling at all.

Before you buy a game or update it, check Nvidia's official list of DLSS 4-supported titles on the Nvidia website. The list is updated regularly as developers add support to new and existing games. If your game is not on the list, it either does not support DLSS 4 yet or supports an earlier version of DLSS.

Some games receive DLSS 4 support through patches after launch, so check back periodically if a title you own is not listed yet.

Troubleshoot If DLSS 4 Does Not Appear

If you have a compatible card and an updated driver but do not see DLSS 4 in a game's settings, the game may not support it yet, or you may need to restart the game after updating your driver. Close the game completely, restart your computer, and launch it again.

If DLSS 4 still does not appear, verify that your graphics card is actually being used to run the game. Some computers have both integrated graphics (built into the CPU) and a dedicated Nvidia card. Right-click the game's shortcut, select "Run with Graphics Processor," and choose your Nvidia card. Then launch the game and check the graphics settings again.

If the option remains unavailable, the game does not yet support DLSS 4. Check the game's official website or patch notes to see whether support is planned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DLSS 4 work on AMD or Intel graphics cards?

No. DLSS 4 is exclusive to Nvidia. AMD cards have FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), and Intel cards have XeSS. Both are similar upscaling technologies but are not compatible with Nvidia hardware.

Will turning on DLSS 4 make my game look worse?

DLSS 4 in Quality or Balanced mode looks very similar to native rendering to most players. Performance mode shows a visible difference, but text and UI remain sharp. The trade-off is worth it for most people because the frame rate gain is substantial.

Can I use DLSS 4 and ray tracing at the same time?

Yes. DLSS 4 works alongside ray tracing, and using both together is common. DLSS 4 upscaling happens after ray tracing is rendered, so you get the visual benefits of ray tracing with the speed benefit of upscaling.

What is Frame Generation, and is it part of DLSS 4?

Frame Generation is a separate Nvidia feature that creates entirely new frames between the ones your GPU renders, further boosting frame rates. Some games include it alongside DLSS 4, and you can turn it on or off independently. It works only on RTX 40-series and newer cards.

Do I need to restart my computer after enabling DLSS 4?

No. You can enable DLSS 4 in a game's settings and see the change immediately. You only need to restart your computer after updating your graphics driver.