DSR vs DLSS Preset

[tmspinktoes]

I'm a noob - forgive me - but can anyone explain to me the difference between using Dynamic Scale Resolution (DSR) with DLSS/DLAA versus DLSS Quality, Balanced etc etc?

For reference (if needed) I'm running a RTX3070 GPU laptop paired with Ryzen 9 5900HS CPU, 16GB ram and a native 1440p monitor.

I'm just not really sure what the difference is between the two upscaling types and would appreciate a simple explanation. This is the first game i've really had to pay attention to settings to get max balance between performance and graphic quality. Solid 60FPS is plenty for a casual player like myself :)

[TheAspieFox]

In a broad nutshell:

DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an upscaling technology; it will downscale your resolution and "reconstruct" it to a higher one (i.e. If you use DLSS for 1080p, the game will actually render at 720p (or lower) and then be upscaled to 1080p resolution; ultimately netting improved performance (to varying degrees) at the expense of some visual fidelity.

DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing) is a type of anti-alias, as the name implies (mitigating "jagged edges" for pixels). It actually tends to work better in some cases than SMAA or TAA; in my experience for 1080p it's the sharpest quality option outside of using no Anti-Aliasing at all. It doesn't up/downscale the image, but rather uses AI tech to try and sharpen and smooth the existing image at native resolution. Not dissimilar from if you were to throw any old image into an "AI Enhancer" online to get an overall higher-quality result while also removing a lot of blur and jaggy (this is most notable on scanned-in old-timey photos). I happen to have an actual example of this in action: https://imgur.com/a/PM7TanB . Disclaimer too, the image WAS upscaled after-the-fact of AI Sharpening/cleanup.

DSR (Dynamic Scale Resolution) is effectively DLSS in reverse; using the same example, it will take the 1080p image and instaed scale THAT up to 1440p/4K and then shrink it back down to the 1080p resolution; theoretically giving you higher graphical fidelity at the cost of performance.

TBH, given your hardware and target resolution/FPS, you should be just fine using DLAA only. You could try DLSS too but your image may result in unwanted blur; obviously you can just play around with the various settings in realtime and see what you like the best.

[tmspinktoes]

Originally posted by TheAspieFox:

In a broad nutshell:

DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an upscaling technology; it will downscale your resolution and "reconstruct" it to a higher one (i.e. If you use DLSS for 1080p, the game will actually render at 720p (or lower) and then be upscaled to 1080p resolution; ultimately netting improved performance (to varying degrees) at the expense of some visual fidelity.

DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing) is a type of anti-alias, as the name implies (mitigating "jagged edges" for pixels). It actually tends to work better in some cases than SMAA or TAA; in my experience for 1080p it's the sharpest quality option outside of using no Anti-Aliasing at all. It doesn't up/downscale the image, but rather uses AI tech to try and sharpen and smooth the existing image at native resolution. Not dissimilar from if you were to throw any old image into an "AI Enhancer" online to get an overall higher-quality result while also removing a lot of blur and jaggy (this is most notable on scanned-in old-timey photos). I happen to have an actual example of this in action: https://imgur.com/a/PM7TanB . Disclaimer too, the image WAS upscaled after-the-fact of AI Sharpening/cleanup.

DSR (Dynamic Scale Resolution) is effectively DLSS in reverse; using the same example, it will take the 1080p image and instaed scale THAT up to 1440p/4K and then shrink it back down to the 1080p resolution; theoretically giving you higher graphical fidelity at the cost of performance.

TBH, given your hardware and target resolution/FPS, you should be just fine using DLAA only. You could try DLSS too but your image may result in unwanted blur; obviously you can just play around with the various settings in realtime and see what you like the best.

hmmm, this is very helpful - i shall have to give this a try when i get home. I've been using DSR under the impression i was gonna get better FPS but i'm not looking for a 4k experience on my 15.6" screen so maybe that is why my FPS has been lower than expected. Sounds like with it enabled it's trying to spit out a 4K image while my resolution is set to 1440p?

[longjohn119]

If you are interested in DSR then you should really try DLDSR which will take advantage of your Tensor Cores so you don't take as much of a performance hit. The main downside to DSR and DLDSR is it is a Global setting meaning all your games will be using it

Also it's probably not very useful in HFW as it already has high resolution graphics but it can make older game such as Zero Dawn look a lot better with minimal performance impact. It's especially useful in older games that use TAA that's kind of blurry because you can turn TAA down or even off and still get good anti aliasing

[TheAspieFox]

Originally posted by tmspinktoes:

Originally posted by TheAspieFox:

In a broad nutshell:

DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an upscaling technology; it will downscale your resolution and "reconstruct" it to a higher one (i.e. If you use DLSS for 1080p, the game will actually render at 720p (or lower) and then be upscaled to 1080p resolution; ultimately netting improved performance (to varying degrees) at the expense of some visual fidelity.

DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing) is a type of anti-alias, as the name implies (mitigating "jagged edges" for pixels). It actually tends to work better in some cases than SMAA or TAA; in my experience for 1080p it's the sharpest quality option outside of using no Anti-Aliasing at all. It doesn't up/downscale the image, but rather uses AI tech to try and sharpen and smooth the existing image at native resolution. Not dissimilar from if you were to throw any old image into an "AI Enhancer" online to get an overall higher-quality result while also removing a lot of blur and jaggy (this is most notable on scanned-in old-timey photos). I happen to have an actual example of this in action: https://imgur.com/a/PM7TanB . Disclaimer too, the image WAS upscaled after-the-fact of AI Sharpening/cleanup.

DSR (Dynamic Scale Resolution) is effectively DLSS in reverse; using the same example, it will take the 1080p image and instaed scale THAT up to 1440p/4K and then shrink it back down to the 1080p resolution; theoretically giving you higher graphical fidelity at the cost of performance.

TBH, given your hardware and target resolution/FPS, you should be just fine using DLAA only. You could try DLSS too but your image may result in unwanted blur; obviously you can just play around with the various settings in realtime and see what you like the best.

hmmm, this is very helpful - i shall have to give this a try when i get home. I've been using DSR under the impression i was gonna get better FPS but i'm not looking for a 4k experience on my 15.6" screen so maybe that is why my FPS has been lower than expected. Sounds like with it enabled it's trying to spit out a 4K image while my resolution is set to 1440p?

It's not so much trying to spit out a 4K image, so much as it's taking that 4K resolution and crunching it down to 1440p as best it can.

It would be like if you were to take a doodle somebody did; you trace that doodle onto a larger canvas, and add details in yourself to try and make it look crisper/better, then re-trace the traced doodle (with details and all) onto another canvas of the same size as the original -- the purpose and point being to have that same doodle that was originally made, but with more detail, since it was recreated on a larger canvas where more detail can be added.

[tmspinktoes]

Originally posted by TheAspieFox:

Originally posted by tmspinktoes:

hmmm, this is very helpful - i shall have to give this a try when i get home. I've been using DSR under the impression i was gonna get better FPS but i'm not looking for a 4k experience on my 15.6" screen so maybe that is why my FPS has been lower than expected. Sounds like with it enabled it's trying to spit out a 4K image while my resolution is set to 1440p?

It's not so much trying to spit out a 4K image, so much as it's taking that 4K resolution and crunching it down to 1440p as best it can.

It would be like if you were to take a doodle somebody did; you trace that doodle onto a larger canvas, and add details in yourself to try and make it look crisper/better, then re-trace the traced doodle (with details and all) onto another canvas of the same size as the original -- the purpose and point being to have that same doodle that was originally made, but with more detail, since it was recreated on a larger canvas where more detail can be added.

Ahhh, gotcha - i did notice there is an option to also use DSR with DLSS - curious.
Ah, for the days when you just popped a CD into a console lol

[TheAspieFox]

Originally posted by tmspinktoes:

Originally posted by TheAspieFox:

It's not so much trying to spit out a 4K image, so much as it's taking that 4K resolution and crunching it down to 1440p as best it can.

It would be like if you were to take a doodle somebody did; you trace that doodle onto a larger canvas, and add details in yourself to try and make it look crisper/better, then re-trace the traced doodle (with details and all) onto another canvas of the same size as the original -- the purpose and point being to have that same doodle that was originally made, but with more detail, since it was recreated on a larger canvas where more detail can be added.

Ahhh, gotcha - i did notice there is an option to also use DSR with DLSS - curious.
Ah, for the days when you just popped a CD into a console lol

For all intents and purposes, you CAN utilize games on PC "out of the box" all the same with basic presets, or not touching anything at all if you're really so inclined. As far as DSR/DLSS/DLAA/XESS goes and all, you don't NEED to utilize them either; same with Freesync/GSYNC/VSYNC.

But half the joy and fun in PC is customization, which console simply does not have. Playing around with settings and values until you find something you like.

IMO, seems redundant to have DSR+DLSS, at that point it's just playing at native resolution/FPS with extra steps. Lol.

[tmspinktoes]

Originally posted by TheAspieFox:

Originally posted by tmspinktoes:

Ahhh, gotcha - i did notice there is an option to also use DSR with DLSS - curious.
Ah, for the days when you just popped a CD into a console lol

For all intents and purposes, you CAN utilize games on PC "out of the box" all the same with basic presets, or not touching anything at all if you're really so inclined. As far as DSR/DLSS/DLAA/XESS goes and all, you don't NEED to utilize them either; same with Freesync/GSYNC/VSYNC.

But half the joy and fun in PC is customization, which console simply does not have. Playing around with settings and values until you find something you like.

IMO, seems redundant to have DSR+DLSS, at that point it's just playing at native resolution/FPS with extra steps. Lol.

this is true - i have enjoyed playing around to get higher FPS in "older games" (fallout 4, tomb raider reboot, outer worlds etc etc) and seeing how far i can go without reducing image quality. This game is gorgeous even on some medium settings so that's impressive. Would capping the FPS at 60 offer any performance benefit or just another extra unnecessary step? ;) Logically, it seems it would keep things a little smoother? (probably another noob question lol)

[TheAspieFox]

Originally posted by tmspinktoes:

Originally posted by TheAspieFox:

For all intents and purposes, you CAN utilize games on PC "out of the box" all the same with basic presets, or not touching anything at all if you're really so inclined. As far as DSR/DLSS/DLAA/XESS goes and all, you don't NEED to utilize them either; same with Freesync/GSYNC/VSYNC.

But half the joy and fun in PC is customization, which console simply does not have. Playing around with settings and values until you find something you like.

IMO, seems redundant to have DSR+DLSS, at that point it's just playing at native resolution/FPS with extra steps. Lol.

this is true - i have enjoyed playing around to get higher FPS in "older games" (fallout 4, tomb raider reboot, outer worlds etc etc) and seeing how far i can go without reducing image quality. This game is gorgeous even on some medium settings so that's impressive. Would capping the FPS at 60 offer any performance benefit or just another extra unnecessary step? ;) Logically, it seems it would keep things a little smoother? (probably another noob question lol)

Ideally you should cap the FPS to whatever the refresh rate of your monitor is (unless you're playing something competitive), without the use of VSYNC/GSYNC/FREESYNC, to prevent screentearing. But, yes, capping to 60, 90, 120, etc... any number within what you know the game can actually pull off, will net more stable performance -- less (or even no) lag, stutter, latency, frametime inconsistency, etc... With the added bonus of keeping temperatures in check (especially for a laptop this is useful and wanted)

[tmspinktoes]

Originally posted by TheAspieFox:

Originally posted by tmspinktoes:

this is true - i have enjoyed playing around to get higher FPS in "older games" (fallout 4, tomb raider reboot, outer worlds etc etc) and seeing how far i can go without reducing image quality. This game is gorgeous even on some medium settings so that's impressive. Would capping the FPS at 60 offer any performance benefit or just another extra unnecessary step? ;) Logically, it seems it would keep things a little smoother? (probably another noob question lol)

Ideally you should cap the FPS to whatever the refresh rate of your monitor is (unless you're playing something competitive), without the use of VSYNC/GSYNC/FREESYNC, to prevent screentearing. But, yes, capping to 60, 90, 120, etc... any number within what you know the game can actually pull off, will net more stable performance -- less (or even no) lag, stutter, latency, frametime inconsistency, etc... With the added bonus of keeping temperatures in check (especially for a laptop this is useful and wanted)

duly noted - i know my specific model its normal to run around 95c under serious load (i did much research before forking out the moneys) so ive got it on a cooling pad which helps a couple degrees but if i can get better image at a capped 60, i prefer that over a less quality 70 and higher. Ive heard thermal throttling or some such can play a part.