Confused about GPU scaling

[Vision541]

So i read that gpu scaling is kinda like fsr/dlss. I currently use DSR to play my games in 4k on my 1080p monitor. Does gpu scaling only work in 1080p and not in 4k? didnt see this indicator it speaks of. Im using nvidiacontrol panel btw for older games like re4 hd project

[ZeekAncient]

FSR and DLSS are "upscaling" techniques. Meaning for example, if you game at native 4K, FSR or DLSS, depending on which "quality" setting you use, will render the game at a lower resolution, then use an algorithm to upscale the image back to 4K, with minimal visual loss.

In theory then, you should enjoy the added performance that comes with the lowered resolution, and still have an image that is close to the original 4K image, with some visual artifacts of course. If using DLSS Quality at 4K, the game will be rendered at 1440p, then upscaled to 4K. If gaming at 1440p and using DLSS Quality, the game will be rendered at 1080p I believe, then upscaled back to 1440p. If using the other settings, like DLSS Balance, Performance, and Ultra Performance, the rendered resolution will be even lower, thus giving extra performance, but with more visual loss.

FSR works in very much the same way but with Ultra Quality, Quality, Balance, and Performance modes, as opposed to DLSS's Quality, Balance, Performance, and Ultra Performance. I find the best results come from using DLSS/FSR at 4K native since the lowered rendered resolutions are still pretty high and still look good, so when getting upscaled there is not as much visual fidelity to make up. Using 1440p native can still be good as using DLSS Quality will still render the game at 1080p then upscale it, but I find it would not be as beneficial for native 1080p resolutions for example, because DLSS Quality would render it at 810p resolution for example, and that is pretty low. But I am sure it would work.

Now, DSR is completely different. This is Dynamic Super Resolution. And it works in 4K just like it would at 1080p, but with higher resolutions of course. You have a 1080p monitor, so what DSR does is render the resolution at 4K, and then "downscales" it back to your monitor size. This will give the added benefit of a much sharper and crisper image, with less aliasing, but with the extra performance hit that comes with the higher resolution. So while your image will not be native 4K, it should be cleaner than at 1080p, even on your 1080p native screen.

Of course, DLSS and DSR can be used to together. I believe it is called DLDSR. But I have not tested using that yet. I have used both DLSS and DSR before. Currently at 4K, so I haven't had much of a need for DSR, but DLSS has been a godsend for demanding games. Especially since I am only using a 3070 Ti.

Edit: Please disregard that last paragraph I wrote. I thought DLDSR was DLSS and DSR together, but as DLSS is "Deep Learning Super Sampling" and DSR is "Dynamic Super Resolution", DLDSR is "Deep Learning Dynamic Super Resolution". DLSS using machine learning intelligence to develop an algorithm that upscales the rendered resolution to the native original. And DSR uses a filter to downscale the higher rendered resolution back down to the native original, but DLDSR will also using machine learning to develop an algorithm that aids in the process of downscaling the image. This solves a lot of the problems that the simple filter DSR uses which is mainly fitting the image to the smaller resolution and the loss in performance.

[Snow]

It's just basic bilinear or bicubic resampling, DLSS and FSR are smarter.

[Królik]

nice