DLSS Frame Generation could come to RTX 30 series GPUs – Claims Nvidia Bryan Catanzaro

Nvidia’s changes to DLSS Frame Generation could allow the tech to be used with RTX 30 series graphics cards

With the release of DLSS 4, Nvidia has changed how its DLSS Frame Generation technology works. Thanks to this improved AI model, DLSS Frame Generation now runs 40% faster, uses 30% less memory, and no longer uses the RTX 40 series’ hardware optical flow accelerator. As such, Nvidia could make DLSS Frame Generation fully functional on RTX 30 series GPUs.

At launch, DLSS Frame Generation used specific hardware within Nvidia’s RTX 40 series GPUs to operate. This is no longer the case with Nvidia’s new Frame Generation model. This can allow Frame Generation to run on older Nvidia GPUs. However, it remains to be seen if Nvidia will bring these features to older GPUs.

Note that this does not apply to Nvidia’s new DLSS Multi Frame Generation feature. It uses “multiple Blackwell hardware and DLSS software innovations” to operate. This makes DLSS Multi Frame Generation impossible on older RTX graphics cards.

Our new frame generation AI model is 40% faster, uses 30% less VRAM, and only needs to run once per rendered frame to generate multiple frames. For example, in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, this model provided a 10% faster frame rate, while using 400MB less memory at 4K, max settings, using DLSS Frame Generation.

We have also sped up the generation of the optical flow field by replacing hardware optical flow with a very efficient AI model. Together, the AI models significantly reduce the computational cost of generating additional frames.

– Nvidia on their new Frame Generation AI model

When interviewing Nvidia’s Bryan Catanzaro, Digital Foundry asked if Nvidia planned to bring DLSS Frame Generation to older RTX GPUs. Catanzaro did not rule out this option but stated that several factors could get in the way of delivering that support.

For starters, Nvidia’s RTX 30 series has less AI computing capabilities than RTX 40 series GPUs. As such, it may require more optimisation and engineering to get it running optimally on RTX 30 series GPUs. Beyond that, Nvidia would only launch the feature if it delivered a good user experience.

I think this is primarily a question of optimisation, and also engineering, and then the ultimate user experience. We’re launching this Frame Generation, the best multi-frame generation technology, with the RTX 50 series, and we’ll see what we’re able to squeeze out of older hardware in the future.

Nvidia’s Bryan Catanzaro, VP of Applied Deep Learning Research to Digital Foundry

While DLSS Frame Generation support on RTX 30 series GPUs is now possible, I believe that Nvidia will not add this feature to their older GPUs. After all, Nvidia wants PC gamers to upgrade, and frame generation is unlikely to work as well on Nvidia’s older hardware, given its lesser AI capabilities. Regardless, I would like to see this feature come to Nvidia’s older GPUs.

You can join the discussion on Nvidia potentially bringing DLSS Frame Generation to RTX 30 series GPUs on the OC3D Forums.

 

Mark Campbell

Mark Campbell

A Northern Irish father, husband, and techie that works to turn tea and coffee into articles when he isn’t painting his extensive minis collection or using things to make other things.

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