Best DLSS 4 Upscaling Setting? - Quality vs Balanced vs Performance

Summary

This video explores the differences between the three main DLSS4 presets (Quality, Balanced, Performance) and evaluates their impact on image quality at various resolutions (4K, 1440p, 1080p). The presenter highlights DLSS4's ability to reduce blur and preserve textures, with lower modes being more viable than ever before. While DLSS4 offers improvements over previous versions, challenges such as discclusion artifacts and grainy textures in motion remain at lower settings. The optimal DLSS4 mode varies by game and resolution, with a general recommendation to use higher presets for 1080p and lower for 4K for the best performance-to-quality balance.

Takeaways

• 😀 DLSS4 improves lower quality modes (performance and balanced) substantially, making them more viable for gaming at various resolutions.
• 😀 The key benefit of DLSS4 is its ability to eliminate TAA blur and preserve texture quality even at lower DLSS settings.
• 😀 At 4K, there is almost no texture quality loss using performance or balanced modes compared to the quality mode.
• 😀 Image stability across DLSS4 presets is very similar, especially at 4K, with minimal degradation in fine details or pixel-level elements.
• 😀 Lower DLSS settings like performance can cause noticeable issues in specific areas such as discclusion artifacts and grass rendering, especially at 1440p and 1080p.
• 😀 Fine details like hair and particle effects are stable in most games using DLSS4, but lower settings (especially performance) can introduce graininess or pixelation.
• 😀 DLSS4 effectively handles foliage quality, although grass rendering can be degraded in lower modes, especially at lower resolutions.
• 😀 When comparing DLSS4 modes at 1080p, performance mode can cause pixelation in particle effects and fine transparency details, but it's not as noticeable at 4K.
• 😀 DLSS4's lower modes (performance and balanced) offer significant performance improvements, ranging from 10-20%, without compromising much on image quality, especially at higher resolutions.
• 😀 At 1440p and 1080p, higher quality modes (like quality and balanced) are preferred, as they avoid grainy or pixelated effects in specific visual elements.
• 😀 Choosing the optimal DLSS4 mode depends on the game and its graphical requirements, but at 4K, performance or balanced modes are often ideal for a good mix of quality and performance.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video explores the differences between the three main DLSS4 presets (Quality, Balanced, and Performance) and evaluates whether using a lower preset actually makes sense visually in terms of image quality.

What is DLSS4 and how does it improve image quality?

DLSS4 (Deep Learning Super Sampling 4) is a cutting-edge upscaling technology that uses AI to reconstruct textures, preserve details, and reduce blurriness, offering sharper visuals compared to previous DLSS versions. It provides improvements at various resolutions, including 4K, 1440p, and 1080p.

How do DLSS4 presets (Quality, Balanced, Performance) compare in terms of texture quality?

At 4K resolution, there is little to no texture quality loss when switching between the different DLSS4 presets. At lower resolutions (1440p and 1080p), the differences become more noticeable, but the quality remains impressive even in lower settings like Performance.

What are some advantages of using DLSS4 in terms of image stability?

DLSS4 provides stable images across all presets, with very little difference between the Quality and Performance modes, especially at 4K. It handles fine details well in fast motion, with occasional degradation in smaller elements like pixel-level wires at lower resolutions.

How does DLSS4 handle issues with discclusion artifacts?

Discclusion artifacts, which are visible when objects block the background during motion, tend to get more noticeable when using lower DLSS4 presets like Performance. This issue worsens at lower resolutions, particularly at 1080p, but it varies by game and scenario.

What impact does DLSS4 have on hair quality during gameplay?

At 4K, there is minimal difference in hair quality between the Quality and Performance presets. At lower resolutions like 1440p and 1080p, the Performance mode can introduce some graininess in moving hair, especially in games with exposed or detailed hair like Horizon Zero Dawn.

How does DLSS4 affect particle quality and transparency in motion?

DLSS4 has minimal impact on particle quality, even at lower resolutions. However, lower DLSS modes can cause issues with fine transparencies, such as pixelation or graininess, especially in fast-moving elements or holographic effects. Some types of transparencies, like fire, are unaffected by the changes in DLSS settings.

What specific problems arise when using DLSS4 at lower modes for foliage rendering?

Foliage, particularly grass, suffers a noticeable reduction in quality at lower DLSS presets, making it look grainier in motion. This is especially evident at lower resolutions like 1080p. However, DLSS4 improves grass quality compared to earlier versions of the technology.

Why does fence quality degrade in lower DLSS4 modes?

Fence quality degrades in lower DLSS4 modes due to the combined effects of discclusion artifacts and fine detail reconstruction issues. This is particularly noticeable in motion, with wire fences and fine mesh details becoming more aliased and grainy at lower settings.

How does DLSS4 perform differently across various resolutions (4K, 1440p, 1080p)?

At 4K, lower DLSS modes like Balanced and Performance are quite usable without significant image degradation. At 1440p and 1080p, the differences become more apparent, especially in fine details, but DLSS4 still offers better image quality than earlier versions, even at lower settings.