Nvidia launches DLSS 5 at Gamescom, promises RTX 40 support

In a Reddit update spotted by VideoCardz, an Nvidia representative said the company is currently focused on optimizing performance for the GeForce RTX 50 Series, with model updates expected later this fall. Once RTX 50 Series performance is fully tuned, Nvidia plans to work on expanding official support to the GeForce RTX 40 Series. TechRadar said this could mean work on RTX 4000 models begins in early 2027, while noting that modders have already gotten DLSS 5 running on RTX 3000 and RTX 2000 GPUs, although performance may be a limiting factor.

The announcement calmed concerns that DLSS 5 might remain exclusive to RTX 5000 graphics cards. However, unofficial experiments have shown a significant performance cost, with frame rates dropping by 40 to 50 percent, and some reports measuring closer to 30 percent, according to Tom's Hardware as cited by TechRadar. Those figures come from a pre-release version of DLSS 5 adapted by modders, so the final version could perform better, and continued optimization remains likely.

Experimental and official demonstrations have also shown that DLSS 5 can create substantial visual improvements. TechRadar reported that the technology may be especially effective for background details such as NPC crowd faces, lighting, shadows, and character models. One Reddit user praised the effect on NPC crowd faces, describing results in a Linus Tech Tips video as "super impressive."

Despite those promising examples, DLSS 5 is not a universal solution for improving all graphics. The benefits are situational, and some unattractive results seen in modded footage came from users pushing sliders to extreme settings, highlighting that tuning options will be important for the technology's practical use.