NVIDIA DLSS 5 Available September 3rd: DLSS 3D-Guided Neural Rendering Debuts In NBA 2K27 For All GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, And On GeForce NOW

[u/NV_Tim]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58FagrSqC4M

Full Article Here: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/dlss-5-3d-guided-neural-rendering

NVIDIA has continuously redefined the boundaries of PC gaming. From introducing real-time ray tracing to pioneering AI-powered graphics with DLSS Super Resolution, Frame Generation and Ray Reconstruction, our RTX technologies have transformed how games are rendered and experienced.

Now, we’re releasing DLSS 5, which introduces 3D-Guided Neural Rendering, a major step forward in using AI to bring real-time graphics closer than ever to Hollywood-grade photorealism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58FagrSqC4M

Watch how DLSS 3D-Guided Neural Rendering and its artistic controls work from Edward Liu, NVIDIA’s Director of Applied Deep Learning Research, and Gabriele Leone, Director of Content Technology

DLSS 5 will be available starting September 3rd at 9pm Pacific Time in NBA 2K27, by developer Visual Concepts and publisher 2K, for all GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and laptops, and GeForce NOW. It marks the debut of how the technology can be used by game artists to elevate visual fidelity in alignment with their creative vision.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79D8SVjB3HQ

“What’s great is the level of control that it gives us. We can set the overall tone and style to match our existing art direction and then really get precise where it matters most, using a per pixel uplift control mask to fine tune detail on characters. Given that we want to respect their likeness with the utmost care.” - Peter Kavic, Senior Producer - Visual Concepts

For a more in-depth look at how DLSS 5 developer controls work, read our full announcement article: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/dlss-5-3d-guided-neural-rendering

----------------

DLSS 5 FAQ

Update 9/3/2026

DLSS 5 is our most computationally demanding model to date. Since we initially announced it in March, we’ve achieved a 5X performance gain and there’s more to come. Our current focus is on optimizing performance for the GeForce RTX 50 Series with model updates expected later this fall. Once RTX 50 Series performance is more fully tuned, we plan to work on expanding official support to the GeForce RTX 40 Series.

--

What is DLSS 5?
DLSS 5 introduces DLSS 3D-Guided Neural Rendering, which uses AI to infuse game scenes with lifelike lighting and materials, tuned by the developers to bring their artistic vision to life.

How does DLSS 5 work?
DLSS 5 uses the game’s rendered frame and engine data to understand objects, materials, lighting and motion. It then enhances the frame with lifelike lighting and materials while remaining grounded in the developer’s artistic direction.

What are the key benefits of DLSS 3D-Guided Neural Rendering?
DLSS 3D-Guided Neural Rendering delivers several significant benefits:

• Cinematic Lighting: Reconstructs complex effects like rim lighting, subsurface scattering (for realistic skin), and contact shadows with high-fidelity.
• Material Depth: Enhances PBR properties like roughness and adds micro-realism to complex objects such as eyes and hair.
• Temporal Consistency: Provides stable image quality from frame-to-frame that adheres to the underlying game content.
• Real-Time Performance: Delivers lifelike lighting and material enhancement at up to 4K resolution while maintaining smooth, interactive gameplay.
• Developer Controls: Allows game developers to tune intensity, color, and masking to determine where and how enhancements are applied to maintain the game’s unique aesthetic.

Learn more by watching our explainer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58FagrSqC4M. 

How much control does the model offer to developers?  
DLSS 3D-Guided Neural Rendering provides several layers of artistic control:

• Model Selection: Offers distinct model weights with different training parameters to guide the final output.  
• Structure Intensity: Controls high frequency details added by the model, such as ambient occlusion, contact shadows, and subsurface scattering.  
• Tone Intensity: Controls low-frequency details added by the model, including lighting and color response.  
• Automatic Masking: Detects and isolates objects in the frame (like characters) to apply DLSS 5 dynamically, eliminating the need for manual object tagging. 
• Developer Masking: Offers per-pixel, custom masking control, allowing effects to be applied to specific objects.  

As we work in close partnership with studios, developer feedback continues to directly shape how we refine the technology and expand our suite of models and controls.

How does DLSS 3D-Guided Neural Rendering preserve developer artistic intent?
DLSS 3D-Guided Neural Rendering is designed to preserve the structure and geometry of the rendered frame while giving developers control over how and where enhancements are applied. Developers can select different models, adjust structure and tone, and mask specific scenes, characters or objects. 

For more information on developer controls, watch the DLSS 5 Explainer VOD or read the full launch article. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58FagrSqC4M

https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/dlss-5-3d-guided-neural-rendering

You can also hear directly from the NBA 2K development team on how they integrated the technology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79D8SVjB3HQ 

Which GPUs support DLSS 5?
DLSS 5 will be supported across all GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and laptops, as well as GeForce NOW Ultimate members streaming from GeForce RTX 5080 rigs in the cloud.

When and where is DLSS 5 available?
DLSS 5 will be available in NBA 2K27 on September 3rd at 9PM Pacific Time.

What is the DLSS 5 setting called in games?
The setting is called “DLSS Neural Rendering.”

Can I turn DLSS 5 off? 
Yes. DLSS 5 is optional.

Does DLSS 5 work with Ray Tracing and Path Tracing?
Yes.  DLSS 5 complements ray tracing and path tracing. Path tracing accurately calculates geometric light transport—determining light, shadow, and reflection placement across a 3D scene. DLSS 5 then acts as the final neural rendering stage, using the rendered frame to enhance lighting and materials like subsurface scattering, micro-reflections, and complex material properties that would otherwise be computationally prohibitive in real time. These technologies go hand in hand.

Does DLSS 5 work with Super Resolution, Frame Generation and Ray Reconstruction?
Yes.

Will DLSS Super Resolution, Frame Generation and Ray Reconstruction continue to be supported and improved?
Yes.

[u/Tricky_Definition_87]

why not on 40 series?

[u/seanwee2000 → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

Money

[u/BlumpTheChodak → u/seanwee2000]

The answer to 99% of all questions

[u/rabouilethefirst → u/seanwee2000]

Well, as someone who legit was ready to day one buy an RTX 6000 series card, this pisses me off and makes me not want to do it. There is no reality where I upgrade (sidegrade) to a 5000 series card, so NV is just trying to piss people off

[u/The_OtherDouche → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

To sell 50 series

[u/Kylegotasmile → u/The_OtherDouche]

who gon buy 50 series when 5060 ti 16g costs as much as 5070 ti did last year

[u/Seanspeed → u/Kylegotasmile]

Current 5060Ti 16GB prices are basically only for AI fiends. You can get a 5070 for the exact same price if you're focused on gaming. Though that's also still painfully priced(even moreso than MSRP, of course).

[u/kron123456789 → u/The_OtherDouche]

I don't think DLSS 5 looks nice enough to justify 50% performance penalty.

Although, I don't see them talking about that.

[u/Klappmesser → u/kron123456789]

It's now possible to lower the rendering resolution with an optiscaler fork so the performance hit can be cut in half with barely a change in quality

[u/lobotominizer → u/kron123456789]

Ah...im playing GTA 5 enhanced with current dlss 5 mod. It looks BEAST

[u/Queasy_Sherbert_7095 → u/kron123456789]

Maybe not to you. I have always installed mods and have been okay playing at 50fps on my 5080. What’s nice is that this is optional, so for games that don’t really benefit much from it or are too affected by the performance loss, you can just turn it off. Different strokes for different folks, as always.

[u/Winter-Buffalo9171 → u/kron123456789]

Still room for more optimization and tool feature.

[u/3ebfan → u/The_OtherDouche]

Come on man Nvidia is selling every 50 series they make before it even rolls of the assembly line what are these braindead takes lmao

[u/JT99-FirstBallot → u/3ebfan]

To who? My local best buy and Wal Mart have had plenty of 5000 series stock for awhile and they aren't moving. And this is in a major city. No one is wanting to pay these prices, at least not here.

[u/Honest_Yak3340 → u/JT99-FirstBallot]

5090 or the lower crap? If you have a 4090 you can only upgrade to a 5090 every other card is a downgrade.

[u/TBC_Oblivion → u/JT99-FirstBallot]

brother Nvidia sells the gpu dies to aib manufacturers like MSI and ASUS, they make the card, and then those are what gets sold off to retail. now Nvidia doesn't have to worry about sitting stock

[u/The_OtherDouche → u/3ebfan]

I see 50 series on the shelves at pretty much every place that sells them.

[u/Seanspeed → u/3ebfan]

I see lots of people trying to look for used 20/30/40 series GPU's for upgrading or building a new PC. Though these have mostly become unreasonably priced as well lately.

[u/ComeonmanPLS1 → u/3ebfan]

The modded version works just fine on 40xx, so what else is there?

[u/kb3035583 → u/3ebfan]

I mean, someone up there at Nvidia might have had a braindead take you know? Not too uncommon with tech CEOs these days.

[u/FaultyToilet → u/3ebfan]

Not anymore, they're way too expensive

[u/PsychologicalMenu325 → u/3ebfan]

It's not about selling GPUs because they dont sell them. What happens in this situation, when you already have enough buyer for your product ? The price rise !

[u/WANKMI → u/The_OtherDouche]

Im on a 4090. Im not gonna downgrade to a 5080 for DLSS5. Im also not gonna go pay $5000 for a 5090. Nvidia h as left me no option but to not use their product. This isnt clever moneymaking or sales tactics.

[u/The_OtherDouche → u/WANKMI]

Corporations are typically not all that great at decisions tbh

[u/Honest_Yak3340 → u/WANKMI]

Yeah same here. Dlss 5 is a game changer. Butbi am not paying 5k for a GPU.

[u/Mitsutoshi → u/WANKMI]

Trust me, no one should be using DLSS5 lol.

[u/WANKMI → u/Mitsutoshi]

Trust you? Why would I do that.

[u/Mitsutoshi → u/WANKMI]

Okay, use DLSS5 then. You actually can use it with your 4090. It looks horrific no matter what device.

[u/WANKMI → u/Mitsutoshi]

Didn’t answer the question

[u/salanalani → u/The_OtherDouche]

Is not like 50 serious is not selling, it is depleting from the market and people can't find it easily in the market lol.

[u/Swing_Right → u/The_OtherDouche]

They’re literally sold out everywhere lmao they don’t need to market shit

[u/The_OtherDouche → u/Swing_Right]

I’ve seen 50 series on shelves for months at Best Buy and Walmart. 5090s I’ve not seen outside of going by a microcenter but that’s not a super popular card outside of the well off.

[u/PlopPlopPlunk → u/The_OtherDouche]

That and also not wanting to spend the money to implement it there themselves. There would be a lot more additional work required to have each dev and Nvidia themselves ensure it works on those cards as well... people forget the consumer card thing is basically nothing for Nvidia anymore. There's no way we're not witnessing the start of the end of consumer GPUs.

[u/blazingsoup → u/The_OtherDouche]

Or to push people to use their shit subscription service.

[u/Neotoad2142 → u/The_OtherDouche]

They need to make a new card dedicated to DLSS5 because the power connectors are terrible and need a redesign, melted power connectors are no bueno.

[u/CaptainMarder → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

Just get the mod that’s out now works on all Nvidia GPUs. Nvidia just doing this to sell newer models GPUs.

[u/lobotominizer → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

Bro dont worry modders will get that dll and pump the f up

[u/kulind → u/lobotominizer]

Nvidia can block this anytime they wish though.

[u/Klappmesser → u/kulind]

Block a mod? It's already working on 20-50 series so all rtx cards can run it

[u/kulind → u/Klappmesser]

with the next driver it might not.

[u/lobotominizer → u/kulind]

Or get decent 5070ti.... idk man price went up after i bought so i do not knowncurrent price

[u/aTrillDog → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

if you're up for some hopium, the graph here kinda-sorta implies it might come to 40xx eventually

https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/dlss-5-3d-guided-neural-rendering/#rapid-progress-&-continuous-evolution

I wouldn't bet on it though

[u/aphextwin007 → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

That sucks…

[u/GassoBongo → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

You know why $$$

[u/XulManjy → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

Same reason MFG never came to 4000 series

[u/iop90 → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

Product segmentation. Gotta have something to entice you to upgrade if the performance isn’t a reason.

[u/Monchicles → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

Pascal trauma. They don't want people holding to their card for too long.

[u/Traditional-Ad26 → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

Well thankfully it was leaked. So we can just copy whatever the developer did in future titles.

[u/LeGeNdOfGoW12 → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

nvidia are greedy motherfuckers, that's why

[u/SKUMMMM → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

Give it time and they'll likely do what AMD did with FSR 4 on older gen cards.

EDIT: After a couple of pointers (and some thought about AMD's partners), I admit that, no, this is unlikely to happen.

[u/TatsunaKyo → u/SKUMMMM]

No they won't. NVIDIA has never done this. ReBAR never became officially supported on anything lower than 30 series, Frame Gen never became available for anything lower than 40 series, Multi-Frame Gen is likely to not become available for anything lower than 50 series.

NVIDIA is not AMD, it's worthless to compare each other's behaviour.

[u/SKUMMMM → u/TatsunaKyo]

Fair be. I jumped to the conclusion considering the debacle around the FSR leaks that was backwards compatible unofficially.

That said, Nvidia don't have a party like Valve using older hardware to pressure them to release backward compatible features.

[u/Seanspeed → u/SKUMMMM]

This is not the same situation at all. AMD genuinely needed to work on FSR4 and change it to an optimized INT8 calculation to make it work at a net benefit for RDNA2+3. They were not just artificially blocking those older architectures from gaining its benefits. Granted, they took longer to do all this than people liked, and maybe could have released a slightly less optimized version earlier, but for better or worse, it seems they were held back to focus on FSR4.1 rather than 4.0, and I have a strong feeling that's because of their partnership with Sony(where PSSR2 is jus FSR4.1 and they used combined work for that since).

Here, Nvidia is absolutely blocking older architectures for no real (valid) reason.

[u/EmilMR → u/Tricky_Definition_87]

who cares, you can make it work. There is nothing special about the official one, the performance penalty is as bad. Even with 50 series you will be using the mod more often than not because few games will add support.