At CES 2026, Nvidia showcased DLSS 4.5, highlighting improved image quality through enhanced lighting, particle effects, and a new tone mapping approach that boosts visual fidelity, especially on HDR and OLED displays. They also previewed a dynamic frame generation mode supporting up to 6x frame rates on high-refresh monitors, aiming to optimize performance, though concerns about latency and real-world impact remain pending further testing.
At CES 2026, Nvidia unveiled DLSS 4.5, showcasing significant improvements in their second-generation Transformer model for super resolution. The presenter had a hands-on experience with the technology on the show floor, primarily focusing on the Blackmouth Wukong demo running in 4K performance mode. They highlighted the enhanced particle effects, improved lighting, and reduced flickering compared to the first-generation DLSS model. These improvements are particularly noticeable on HDR and OLED screens, where finer details and brighter illumination stand out more vividly, enhancing the overall visual fidelity.
One of the key technical advancements in DLSS 4.5 is the change in how tone mapping is handled. Previously, tone mapping occurred before super resolution, but with DLSS 4.5, it is done afterward in linear light space. This shift allows for more accurate lighting and better specular reflections, contributing to a more natural and visually appealing image. The presenter demonstrated this with examples of floor reflections and candle luminance, noting a clear improvement in brightness and detail that should benefit a variety of games, depending on their engine and implementation.
Performance impacts with DLSS 4.5 vary depending on the render resolution and GPU generation. Higher render resolutions and quality modes tend to have a more noticeable performance cost, especially on older GPUs like the RTX 20 and 30 series. Nvidia currently uses a uniform model across all GPUs, but feedback suggests the possibility of introducing adaptive presets to optimize performance and quality based on the hardware. Additionally, integration with ray reconstruction is not yet updated for DLSS 4.5, meaning some quality benefits may be diminished if ray reconstruction is enabled.
Nvidia also previewed a new dynamic frame generation mode coming in spring 2026 alongside DLSS 4.5. This feature dynamically adjusts frame generation to match the monitor’s refresh rate, with support for up to 6x frame generation on high-refresh-rate displays like 240 Hz and beyond. The dynamic mode aims to optimize performance by scaling frame generation based on scene complexity and can disable frame generation when unnecessary. While this mode promises smoother gameplay on ultra-high refresh rate monitors, the presenter noted potential concerns about latency variations during mode transitions and the overall impact on gameplay feel.
Overall, the presenter was impressed with the DLSS 4.5 super resolution improvements but remained cautiously optimistic about the dynamic frame generation feature, emphasizing the need for more extensive testing in real-world scenarios. They acknowledged that Nvidia’s demos are highly controlled environments designed to showcase the best possible results, and broader testing across various games and hardware will be essential to fully understand the benefits and trade-offs. Upcoming reviews and performance analyses, including those by Hardware Unboxed, will provide deeper insights into how these new technologies perform in everyday gaming.