NVIDIA has announced a significant upgrade for DLSS 5, reducing its model parameters and VRAM usage while doubling its running speed. This means a 10x speedup in six months for the neural rendering model.
NVIDIA has rolled out a substantial model upgrade for its DLSS 5 technology, as reported by 36 Kr. Announced on October 13, this update dramatically boosts efficiency, making the advanced neural rendering more accessible for PC gamers.
According to 36 Kr, the new DLSS 5 model slashes the number of parameters by 24% and reduces video memory usage by 20%. Crucially, its running speed has doubled again compared to the version released in September. When you add up previous optimisations, the DLSS 5 model's running speed has improved over 10 times in just the last six months.
This efficiency leap is significant because it means you no longer need the two RTX 5090 graphics cards initially required for DLSS 5. Now, a single RTX 50 series GPU is enough to run the technology effectively. For Indian gamers, this could mean better performance and visual fidelity without needing the most extreme hardware setups, potentially bringing high-end graphical experiences to a wider audience.
The core of this advancement lies in "neural rendering," a technology where neural networks directly participate in graphics rendering. Instead of relying solely on traditional graphics algorithms, AI is used to generate more realistic visual details like lighting and materials. This is a fundamental shift from decades of reliance on continuously enhanced traditional GPU computing power, from rasterisation to ray tracing.
It is not just NVIDIA pushing this boundary. Other major players are also integrating neural rendering. Apple included machine learning into its real-time rendering pipeline via Metal 4 last year and added neural network accelerators to its A19 series and M5 chips. Qualcomm and MediaTek have also introduced neural rendering in their new flagship chips. This shows a clear industry-wide trend towards AI deeply embedded in the rendering process.
NVIDIA stated that its joint optimisation of the neural network model and rendering pipeline has reduced the new model's parameters to around 118 million, cutting GPU running overhead by half while maintaining visual quality. Test results suggest the new model can increase the frame rate of NBA 2K27 by up to 40%.
DLSS 5 is also expanding its game support rapidly. Alongside NBA 2K27, which launches on October 16, the new model will soon be applied to Hogwarts Legacy and Where Winds Meet. It will also integrate with RTX Remix on October 23, allowing more classic game remaster projects to leverage this technology. This accelerated adoption means a growing library of games will benefit from the improved performance and visuals.
For Indian users considering an RTX 50 series card, this update makes the DLSS 5 feature much more practical and impactful, even on single-card setups. It hints at a future where the visual quality previously demanding top-tier hardware could become more achievable on a broader range of gaming PCs, making premium gaming experiences more accessible in the long run.
