Nvidia announced significant enhancements to its DLSS Multi Frame Generation technology for owners of the new RTX 50-series graphics cards. PC Gamer conducted extensive hands-on testing to evaluate the real-world performance of these updates following the CES show in January. The report confirms that the new dynamic system can switch between modes to optimize frame rates effectively for high refresh displays.
Technical Specifications
The underlying technology works by rendering two frames normally while keeping them in video memory for processing. AI interpolation then generates additional frames to slot between the originals for smoother motion without native rendering. The multi part of the name refers to the ability to generate up to five frames for a 6x mode.
Dynamic Performance
A new dynamic setting allows the graphics card to select the optimal mode automatically based on user settings. This decision is based on the monitor maximum refresh rate and the current performance of the game in real time. Users retain the ability to force specific modes if they prefer manual control over the system behavior.
"The new version of DLSS MFG also includes an updated AI model," reported the source.
An updated AI model known as Preset B enhances user interface clarity using game engine data for static elements. Support remains limited to approximately 20 games, meaning most titles will use the standard Preset A model for compatibility. This ensures visual fidelity remains high without compromising system resources during gameplay.
Testing utilized a high-end Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor paired with an RTX 5090 graphics card for maximum power. Display duties were handled by an MSI 240 Hz OLED monitor to ensure accurate latency measurements during testing. The team used updated Nvidia App statistics overlays to track real-time performance figures during gameplay sessions.
Cyberpunk 2077 demonstrated smoother gameplay with 4x generation enabled but showed increased system latency compared to baseline. Dynamic mode adjusted between 4x and 5x modes to maintain a target frame rate near 240 fps consistently. Input lag became noticeable when the system switched to higher generation modes during intense scenes with heavy ray tracing.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard performed well without aggressive frame generation due to strong native optimization in the engine. The system latency dropped when Reflex enabled alongside frame generation to synchronize CPU and GPU commands efficiently. Dynamic MFG stayed in 2x mode throughout the test to preserve responsiveness without sacrificing speed in combat.
Hogwarts Legacy benefited from reduced stuttering in heavy areas with dynamic adjustments active during testing. Fixed 4x mode caused jankiness that dynamic adjustment mitigated by lowering generation when possible to stabilize performance. Lower frame generation modes preserved better system responsiveness while still boosting overall performance metrics significantly.
Future Implications
Oblivion Remastered struggled with low framerates despite AI assistance for the older game engine architecture. The technology improved average speeds but did not fix 1% lows in demanding scenarios with many NPCs. Future optimization will likely address these legacy engine limitations as the technology matures across more titles.
