How DLSS Became Nvidia’s Biggest Weakness
GPU manufacturers are always pushing the limits of performance, packing advancements into every square nanometer. Alongside these advancements, complementary technologies continue to evolve, one of the most notable being Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). Introduced in 2018 with the RTX 20 series, DLSS has become a major selling point for Nvidia GPUs. But oddly enough, this very strength could also be its biggest weakness. Here’s why.
DLSS Extends Hardware Lifespan
A Lifesaver for Frugal PC Gamers
DLSS is an upscaling technology that allows GPUs to render at lower resolutions while AI-powered upscalers fill in the gaps to produce high-resolution images. Over the years, DLSS has evolved significantly. Early versions required game-specific training and offered mediocre results, but today, DLSS works across many games with improved performance and minimal loss in visual quality.
As of January 2025, Nvidia claims over 80% of gamers enable DLSS. While the exact context for this data isn’t clear, the widespread adoption makes sense—mid-range GPUs like the RTX 3060 and 4060 benefit the most. DLSS enables these cards to stay relevant longer, letting gamers squeeze more performance out of their hardware without sacrificing too much fidelity.
Without DLSS, GPUs like the 3060 and 4060 might not have stayed in PCs as long as they have. In contrast, many RTX 20 series owners upgraded to the RTX 30 series for a meaningful performance boost. But now, with DLSS extending the lifespan of GPUs, many gamers find less incentive to upgrade.
Why RTX 40 Series Owners Aren’t Upgrading
DLSS 3.5 and Features Like Frame Generation
Later iterations of DLSS introduced new features, such as Frame Generation, which creates AI-generated frames to improve performance. While this feature is exclusive to the RTX 40 series, it hasn’t been enough to compel widespread upgrades.
When the RTX 50 series launched, Nvidia unveiled DLSS Multi-Frame Generation (MFG), an upgrade to Frame Generation that allows up to 4X frame generation. For instance, at 4K resolution with the DLSS “Performance” setting, three extra frames could be generated from one 1080p frame.
While this promises massive performance gains, MFG only works well at high base framerates. Otherwise, the added latency becomes a dealbreaker. Nvidia marketed MFG heavily with the RTX 50 series, but its limited use case and latency issues undercut its appeal. As a result, many RTX 40—and even RTX 30—series owners saw little reason to upgrade, instead relying on DLSS 3.5 for their gaming needs.
Is AI Rendering the Future of GPUs?
Brute Force vs. Smarter Tech
Nvidia often refers to traditional rendering as “brute force rendering,” emphasizing the efficiency of AI-powered technologies like DLSS and MFG. While MFG is currently limited to RTX 50 series GPUs, Nvidia could easily implement additional proprietary features in future hardware, further locking AI rendering behind new GPU releases.
This approach mirrors Nvidia’s strategy with ray tracing, which GTX cards cannot run. If Nvidia continues down this path, AI-rendering tech could become a major factor driving upgrades. But for now, gamers remain skeptical of the practical benefits MFG offers.
AMD Is Closing the Gap
RDNA 4 and FidelityFX Super Resolution
The GPU landscape is shifting. Nvidia’s heavy focus on MFG hasn’t paid off as expected, while their older DLSS features remain the most popular. As a result, many gamers are holding onto their RTX 30 or 40 series cards or even considering AMD alternatives.
AMD has made significant strides with its RDNA 4 architecture, particularly in ray tracing performance. Its FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) technology, an alternative to DLSS, has also improved. While FSR 2 struggled to compete with DLSS 3.5 and 4, FSR 3 now offers performance and image quality that rival Nvidia’s offerings. Upscaling is no longer an obvious win for Nvidia, giving AMD a chance to attract more buyers.
Why DLSS 3.5 Made the RTX 50 Series Flop
Despite all the marketing hype, the performance and image quality of DLSS without MFG are more than enough for most gamers. Enthusiasts quickly saw through Nvidia’s marketing for the RTX 50 series, and even casual gamers found the promises hard to believe.
DLSS, ironically, has become a double-edged sword for Nvidia. While it enhances performance and prolongs the lifespan of GPUs, it also reduces the urgency to upgrade. Until games demand significantly more power, gamers are likely to stick with their current GPUs, making it harder for Nvidia to justify newer releases.
