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Velvet Digest

What is DLSS and ray tracing?

Author

Christopher Harper

Updated on May 28, 2026

Ray-traced reflections add a new layer of lifelike visual effects to an already beautiful game, and DLSS uses the power of deep learning and AI to improve the game's performance and anti-aliasing. This allows you to achieve higher frame rates without having to sacrifice the game's incredible visual fidelity.

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Also to know is, what is DLSS?

Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) is an NVIDIA RTX technology that uses the power of deep learning and AI to improve game performance while maintaining visual quality. DLSS helps players achieve smooth frame rates with graphically-intensive settings.

Subsequently, question is, what is DLSS support? In effect, DLSS is a real-time version of Nvidia's screenshot-enhancing Ansel technology. It renders the image at a lower resolution to provide a performance boost, then applies various effects to deliver a relatively comparable overall effect to raising the resolution.

Just so, can you use DLSS without ray tracing?

At 4K can use DLSS with either ray tracing on or off with the RTX 2070 and above, but this is the only resolution where you can use DLSS without ray tracing. Then at 1080p, it has to be with ray tracing, but only the RTX 2060 and RTX 2070 are supported.

Is DLSS only for RTX?

If you're playing at 4K, all RTX cards can access DLSS. However if you're a 1440p gamer, the option is only available for the RTX 2080 and below. At 1080p, only the RTX 2060 and 2070 can use DLSS. And there are similar limitations with Metro Exodus.

Related Question Answers

Should I enable DLSS?

If you are targeting 60 frames per second, but can't get there, DLSS is a good choice. If you are getting high frame rates however, DLSS can actually slow things down. That's because the tensor cores need a fixed amount of time to process each frame. Right now they can't do it quickly enough for high frame rate play.

Is DLSS only for 4k?

DLSS is a technology that falls under Nvidia's RTX technologies, and it only works on Turing GPUs. Using Tensor cores (which are designed for AI operations), Nvidia's DLSS is intended to upscale a 1440p image into a 4K image while having a superior quality than standard 1440p.

What is GTX stand for?

"Visual indication of power." Well I was what the prefix "GTX" stands for not the definition.

How do I activate my DLSS?

Enable “NVIDIA RTX” in the Video options menu, select a “Ray Tracing” detail level, and turn onDLSS” (a game restart may be required). Note, that the DLSS box will automatically turn itself off if it is not available for your GPU, resolution, and ray tracing setting, as outlined above.

How do I enable DLSS?

"To enable DLSS, download the Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition update once available on Steam, open the in-game options menu, set your resolution to 3840x2160 (4K) and enable DLSS under Graphics > Anti-aliasing setting.

Does DLSS work with GTX 1080?

The GTX 1080 Ti is watercooled with an EKWB waterblock, the MSI RTX 2080 Ti is air cooled as it comes out of the box. Finally we enable Direct X 12 to activate RTX and DLSS on the RTX 2080 Ti. The GTX 1080 Ti has no Tensor cores and therefore no DLSS functionality can be enabled.

What does RTX stand for?

Nvidia already unveiled Quadro RTX models for professional workstations last week. The company is expecting significant performance improvements with this new generation as those GPUs are optimized for ray tracing — the “RT” in RTX stands for ray tracing.

What is Supersampling PC?

Supersampling is a spatial anti-aliasing method, i.e. a method used to remove aliasing (jagged and pixelated edges, colloquially known as "jaggies") from images rendered in computer games or other computer programs that generate imagery. The aim of supersampling is to reduce this effect.

Does Metro exodus use ray tracing?

Ray tracing is a very advanced rendering technique that's just now getting support from developers, so almost no games have them. Thankfully, Metro Exodus is one of the two games that does support it — the other being Battlefield V.

Does Metro exodus have RTX?

Metro Exodus drops on Friday, and early previews of the game have begun to appear on various websites. This is an important launch for Nvidia and its RTX GPU family. Metro Exodus is the second title to support Nvidia's RTX technology and the first game to launch with support for both DLSS and ray tracing.

How do I enable RTX in Metro exodus?

To enable ray tracing and DLSS in Metro Exodus on GeForce RTX PCs and laptops:
  1. Install our new Game Ready Driver.
  2. Install Windows 10 October 2018 update (version 1809, or higher)
  3. Enable “NVIDIA RTX” in the Video options menu, select a “Ray Tracing” detail level, and turn on “DLSS” (a game restart may be required).

What games currently support ray tracing?

Upcoming Games with Ray Tracing Support!
  • Cyberpunk 2077. Release date: April 16th, 2020.
  • Minecraft. This one is a little bit more interesting and unclear.
  • Watchdogs Legions. Release date: March 6th, 2020.
  • Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. Release date: March 2020.
  • Synced Off-Planet. Release date: TBC.
  • Dying Light 2. Release date: 2020.
  • Atomic Heart.

How does RTX ray tracing work?

In computer graphics, ray tracing generates an image by tracing the path of light as pixels in an image plane and simulating the effects of its encounters with virtual objects. RTX works by using acceleration structures and algorithms to build and update spatial search data structures.

Does DLSS get better over time?

NVIDIA: DLSS Quality will get Better With Time. NVIDIA's RTX technologies were recently sported in two major titles. He also promised that NVIDIA is constantly working to improve the image quality of deep learning super-sampling, and the neural network itself will yield better results over time.

Does Battlefield 5 support DLSS?

NVIDIA DLSS technology is now available in Battlefield V, improving DXR Ray Tracing performance by up to 40%! Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) is an NVIDIA RTX technology that uses the power of deep learning and AI to improve game performance while maintaining visual quality.

What is DSLL Nvidia?

DLSS stands for "deep learning super sampling," and it's a new rendering technology that only works with GeForce RTX graphics cards. So what DLSS aims to provide is a 4K image equivalent to a native 4K presentation, except with higher performance than you'd otherwise get through native rendering.

What is advanced PhysX?

Advanced PhysX are GPU-accelerated physics effects that use the GPU to render instead of CPU. This level of PhysX allows for more complex effects such as volumetric smoke/fog, tearable cloth, or particle debris.

Is DLSS dead?

In our opinion these results show that DLSS is dead in the water. With Nvidia's previous Freestyle filter, there was a reason to use DLSS in a game like Metro Exodus. DLSS performs a bit better, actually outperforming the non-sharpened 78% scaled image.

What is HairWorks?

HairWorks. NVIDIA HairWorks combines the power of NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPUs with DirectX 11 tessellation technology to add hundreds of thousands of dynamic, realistic hairs to characters, creatures, and game worlds.