In brief: Nvidia DLSS 5 slashed NBA 2K27's frame rates by at least 60% when it launched in September. An update scheduled for this week aims to substantially reduce the neural rendering feature's performance and VRAM overhead. Later this year, DLSS 5 will also support RTX Spark-equipped PCs, Hogwarts Legacy, Where Winds Meet, and classic games through RTX Remix.
NBA 2K27 will receive an update this Friday that aims to make DLSS 5 twice as fast, increasing overall frame rates by up to 40% while maintaining similar visual quality. Future titles that receive official DLSS 5 support, starting later this year, will use the new, faster model by default.
Nvidia claims to have doubled rendering performance and reduced VRAM usage at 4K by 20% through neural model refinements and system-level pipeline optimizations.
In early September tests, maintaining 60 frames per second in NBA 2K27 at maximum settings with DLSS 5 neural rendering enabled essentially required an RTX 5090. An RTX 5070 could just about achieve the same feat at 1440p, while upscaling offered little improvement. The update, arriving on October 16, could make smooth performance more achievable on mid-range and upper-mid-range GPUs.
Hogwarts Legacy will support DLSS 5 with the new model starting November 5. Screenshot comparisons indicate that developer Avalanche Software has significantly scaled back the neural renderer's impact on the game's visuals compared with the initial March demonstration, which drew sharp criticism for altering skin textures and potentially hallucinating new details. The new version appears to modify lighting and shadows while leaving characters' faces untouched.
Where Winds Meet will receive a more dramatic visual overhaul through DLSS 5 as well.
Official neural rendering support is also coming to classic games through RTX Remix starting October 23. Screenshot comparisons show changes to reflections, lighting, shadows, and ambient occlusion in Fallout 4 and the original Mirror's Edge.
Meanwhile, a beta update to the Nvidia app, available today, adds a new frame generation preset designed to improve performance at the expense of a slight reduction in visual quality. The new "Preset C" introduces a lighter version of one of the algorithms used to analyze in-game elements.
Nvidia claims the new performance mode is up to 35% faster on an RTX 5060. To try it, opt into beta features after updating the Nvidia app, then navigate to Graphics > Global Settings (or select an individual supported game) > Driver Settings > DLSS Override – Model Presets > Custom > Frame Generation > Preset C.