DLSS Frame Generation may be extended to RTX 30 series graphics cards

HARDWARE NEWS manhkbrady - Jan 21, 2025, 09:30

Due to enhancements in DLSS 4, Nvidia has revamped its DLSS Frame Generation technology. This updated AI model operates 40% faster, consumes 30% less memory, and has discontinued the need for the RTX 40 series' hardware optical flow accelerator. Therefore, Nvidia could potentially enable DLSS Frame Generation on RTX 30 series GPUs.

Initially, DLSS Frame Generation relied on specific hardware features found only in Nvidia's RTX 40 series GPUs. However, with the new Frame Generation model, this is no longer the case. This change could pave the way for Frame Generation to function on older Nvidia GPUs. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether Nvidia will introduce these capabilities for previous generation GPUs.

It's important to note that this does not include Nvidia’s new DLSS Multi Frame Generation feature. This feature relies on “multiple Blackwell hardware and DLSS software innovations.” Consequently, DLSS Multi Frame Generation cannot be utilized on older RTX graphics cards.

During a conversation with Digital Foundry, Bryan Catanzaro was asked if Nvidia had intentions of bringing DLSS Frame Generation to older RTX GPUs. While Catanzaro did not dismiss this possibility, he mentioned that various factors could hinder the implementation of such support.

Firstly, the AI compute power of RTX 30 series cards is inferior to that of RTX 40 series GPUs. This may necessitate additional optimization and engineering to achieve optimal performance on RTX 30 series GPUs. Moreover, Nvidia would only release the feature if it ensured a favorable user experience.

And although supporting DLSS Frame Generation on RTX 30 series GPUs is now a possibility, I suspect that Nvidia will ultimately refrain from introducing this functionality for their older hardware. This is primarily because Nvidia is keen on encouraging PC gamers to upgrade, and frame generation is unlikely to perform as effectively on older Nvidia hardware due to its limited AI capabilities. Still, I would welcome the arrival of this feature for Nvidia’s older GPUs.

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