Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revealed the company’s vision for its next-generation Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology at a recent Q&A session, sparking confusion among fans and critics alike. The new DLSS 4 promises to “predict the future” of frame generation, but its actual implementation may not be what was initially expected.
Initially, it seemed that DLSS 4 would generate multiple frames for interpolation purposes, similar to its predecessor, DLSS 3. However, Huang’s statement suggests that the technology will work differently. Instead, DLSS 4 will use AI-driven prediction to create smoother visuals by generating new frames based on previously rendered ones, rather than relying on traditional interpolation.
The implications of this are significant, particularly when it comes to latency and frame pacing. While it may seem like a promising upgrade, some worry that the added performance could be offset by increased latency penalties. The effectiveness of DLSS 4 will depend on various factors, including hardware capabilities, monitor refresh rates, and sampling rates.
Another area where Nvidia’s new technology shines is in neural rendering, which enables more efficient use of memory resources. The company showcased examples of “RTX Neural Materials” that can reduce memory usage by up to 32MB for certain materials. However, these features require specific implementation from content creators and may not be available on older GPUs.
The rollout of DLSS 4 is also contingent upon the adoption of new hardware capabilities, which may limit its availability to those with high-end RTX 50-series GPUs. This raises questions about how this technology will impact existing gamers who rely on lower-end hardware.
As one critic noted, Nvidia’s focus on frame generation and neural rendering has led to a “worst generational uplift ever” in gaming performance. Nevertheless, the company remains committed to pushing the boundaries of graphics technology, and its new DLSS 4 promises to deliver improved visuals with AI-driven prediction and more efficient rendering.
Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/jensen-says-dlss-4-predicts-the-future-to-increase-framerates-without-introducing-latency