DLSS Swapper vs. Forcing in App

[bRice153]

Can someone explain this to me.

I've always just used DLSS Swapper and manually forced latest DLSS versions for each game (latest being 310.5.2).

Now I have never used the nvidia app to force any presets or anything.

So is the only way to use 4.5 is forcing with nvidia app? I am just confused here.

I want to use 4.5 but I also want to ensure my games all have the latest dlss.dll (using dlss swapper app).

Almost every new game (even brand new ones) come with older dlss.dll files.

Made a video to further explain my confusion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVUnR0DXHok

[HA]

Swapping dlss files is not enough.
You need Nvidia app to activate Preset K for transformer model or preset M for the newest model (transformer 4.5?).

Nvidia had the best branding and they managed to make it confusing even for enthusiasts.


Official guide from Nvidia:


"Upgrading your DLSS games and apps to DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution is just a few clicks with the NVIDIA app. Simply select “DLSS Override - Model Preset” in the Graphics tab, on a per-program or global basis, and choose “Recommended,” which sets Preset M to DLSS Performance mode, Preset L to DLSS Ultra Performance mode, and Preset K to the remaining modes.

This new “Recommended” setting replaces “Latest” to better align with the two new DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution models: Model M is optimized for DLSS Super Resolution Performance mode, and Model L is optimized for 4K DLSS Super Resolution Ultra Performance mode. While both models are supported for both DLSS Super Resolution Quality and Balanced modes, and DLAA, users will see the best quality vs. performance benefits in Performance and Ultra Performance modes."

https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/dlss-4-5-super-resolution-available-now/

[bRice153]

So. I need to force preset M in NV app (to get 4.5) and also use dlss swapper to ensure I have lateat .dll files?

[wing0zero]

Originally posted by bRice153:

So. I need to force preset M in NV app (to get 4.5) and also use dlss swapper to ensure I have lateat .dll files?

The app is supposed to swap the .dll but can't always for whatever reason so DLSS Swapper is the best way to check and swap out file versions if needed, it's always bang up to date too.
Then probably best setting global to recommended then it will just use the right preset K or M ect for what DLSS you select in game.

[HA]

Originally posted by bRice153:

So. I need to force preset M in NV app (to get 4.5) and also use dlss swapper to ensure I have lateat .dll files?

From what I understand yes.
Presets decide what model is used.
But test yourself to see if there is any visual difference. Should be obvious when set to performance or ultra performance and changing to preset K and M.
Preset K is heavier than the default one and M is heavier than that.

[Numlock587]

I perfer "dlss updater". Set and press update. One and done

[Bad 💀 Motha]

The Updater is better for those who don't want the NVIDIA app and do not have an RTX 50 series. If you bave an RTX 50 series use the NVIDIA APP because this will allows you to pick a multiplier for the MFG

[bRice153]

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

The Updater is better for those who don't want the NVIDIA app and do not have an RTX 50 series. If you have an RTX 50 series use the NVIDIA APP because this will allows you to pick a multiplier for the MFG

The issue with only using the App seems that not every game has the latest .dll files (DLSS, Frame Gen, Ray Reconstruction) so you still need to use a 3rd party app to make sure you are using the latest .dll files.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Originally posted by bRice153:

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

The Updater is better for those who don't want the NVIDIA app and do not have an RTX 50 series. If you have an RTX 50 series use the NVIDIA APP because this will allows you to pick a multiplier for the MFG

The issue with only using the App seems that not every game has the latest .dll files (DLSS, Frame Gen, Ray Reconstruction) so you still need to use a 3rd party app to make sure you are using the latest .dll files.

The NVIDIA app over rides those DLLs... hello that's the whole point.

However I for one don't like the bloat and I don't need ShadowPlay features so yea I don't use it. If you use the app and select your options there for supported game, you have zero needs to update game supplied DLL files. It's not normal practice cause if you do, the gane (such as GTAV) will not let you update the game until you verify the game so it can replace those DLLs you changed.

That's why it's not normal practice cause the average users would be pulling their hair out over all of this if it was

[Adam Beckett]

The Nvidia App (during 4.5 beta phase - pre public driver release) was the only way to run the 4.5 DLSS in games like Space Marine 2!

If you tried to run 4.5 via DLSS Swapper, the "Easy Anti Cheat" would not start the game. DLSS Swapper afaik is downloading the DLLs from the official Nvidia github SDK. But, that - even if it was 4.5 - was not the version offered in the Nvidia App.

The REASON for this is:

the DLLs need to be not only 'signed' by Nvidia, but also be of a specific signature version.

Some games (with DRM, such as Easy Anti Cheat and others) would not allow you to 'switch' DLSS easily. Installing the latest version 'may' have a benefit, but - as the Nvidia DLSS articles and documentations state, it may not give you a performance or quality boost in every game. All depends on the DLSS game developer implementation inside the game (engine) code taking advantage (or not) of Preset K or M (etc). Especially the frame-gen (and 50xx-only) frame-reconstruction model is tricky and needs to be supported.

---

I too dislike the Nvidia App and prefer DLSS Swapper, but had to install the former, just because of this issue (= game won't start).

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Originally posted by Adam Beckett:

The Nvidia App (during 4.5 beta phase - pre public driver release) was the only way to run the 4.5 DLSS in games like Space Marine 2!

If you tried to run 4.5 via DLSS Swapper, the "Easy Anti Cheat" would not start the game. DLSS Swapper afaik is downloading the DLLs from the official Nvidia github SDK. But, that - even if it was 4.5 - was not the version offered in the Nvidia App.

The REASON for this is:

the DLLs need to be not only 'signed' by Nvidia, but also be of a specific signature version.

Some games (with DRM, such as Easy Anti Cheat and others) would not allow you to 'switch' DLSS easily. Installing the latest version 'may' have a benefit, but - as the Nvidia DLSS articles and documentations state, it may not give you a performance or quality boost in every game. All depends on the DLSS game developer implementation inside the game (engine) code taking advantage (or not) of Preset K or M (etc). Especially the frame-gen (and 50xx-only) frame-reconstruction model is tricky and needs to be supported.

---

I too dislike the Nvidia App and prefer DLSS Swapper, but had to install the former, just because of this issue (= game won't start).

This is more true because of it being an online MP game and thus the AC is doing a file checksum and it sees a file it doesn't recognize because it's been changed by the user.

[hXe]

on linux you can force specific dlss with commands like this

DXVK_NVAPI_SET_NGX_DEBUG_OPTIONS=DLSSIndicator=0,DLSSGIndicator=0 PROTON_ENABLE_NGX_UPDATER=1 DXVK_NVAPI_DRS_SETTINGS=NGX_DLSS_SR_OVERRIDE=on,NGX_DLSS_RR_OVERRIDE=on,NGX_DLSS_FG_OVERRIDE=on,NGX_DLSS_SR_OVERRIDE_RENDER_PRESET_SELECTION=render_preset_k,NGX_DLSS_RR_OVERRIDE_RENDER_PRESET_SELECTION=render_preset_k %command%

[pwnograffik]

Anwave > DLSS Swapper. It has many options one of which is "NVIDIA DLSS Global Override Mode" and it can also override streamline files. It works at the driver level so no need to mess with game files which means its compatible with multiplayer anticheat. I use profile inspector to force a preset if needed.

Edit: Github instructions are outdated. In DLSS Global Override Mode, click "Download from Server" wait for it to finish and then exit. Done.

[HA]

DLSS swapper alone doesn't let you choose between CNN or transformer model.

So, you can have DLSS 4.5 but still on CNN, more blurry but faster model.
You need the app to select preset K or M manually.

It must be this way to avoid a shock of lowering performance on older GPUs with the newest model. Some games let you choose between cnn or transformer.

[Numlock587]

Ok i switched to nvidia app completely it does it and it looks great. 4.5 dlss is like 3dfx in the 90s. No comparison.

[Numlock587]

Star citizen looks awesome. Did it on my 4060rtx.

I think i still need dlss updater for my other games, as it doesnt work on all games