DLSS 4.5 Outshines Competitors in Massive Blind Gaming Test
In a comprehensive blind test conducted by ComputerBase, thousands of gamers evaluated the visual quality of leading game upscaling technologies. The test compared NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) 4.5, AMD’s FSR Upscaling AI with FSR 4 on Radeon RX 9000 series GPUs, and native resolution rendering without any AI upscaling. The results were clear: DLSS 4.5 consistently received the highest number of votes, outperforming its competitors in every scenario tested.
Methodology: Ensuring an Unbiased Comparison
To maintain objectivity, ComputerBase presented video samples labeled only with numbers, concealing the underlying rendering technology. This approach ensured that participants judged purely on visual quality, free from brand bias. Over two weeks, thousands of votes were cast across a diverse lineup of games, including Anno 117, ARC Raiders, Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Forbidden West, Satisfactory, and The Last of Us Part II.
Notably, in Cyberpunk 2077, native resolution rendering came close to matching DLSS 4.5 in popularity, but NVIDIA’s technology still maintained a slight lead. In all other titles, DLSS 4.5 was the clear favorite among gamers.
DLSS 4.5: Advancements in AI Upscaling
The strong preference for DLSS 4.5 highlights the significant advancements NVIDIA has made in AI-powered upscaling. The latest version leverages a second-generation Transformer model, trained on a dataset five times larger than its predecessor. This model benefits from a substantial increase in computational resources and utilizes the FP8 data format, which enables more efficient processing with minimal loss of precision.
NVIDIA’s updated algorithm is more context-aware, intelligently analyzing input data to produce highly detailed and precise video output. These improvements translate into a more visually appealing gaming experience, as confirmed by the overwhelming majority of test participants.
AMD’s FSR 4 and the “Redstone” Package
AMD’s latest machine learning-based upscaling technologies, now included in the “Redstone” package, were also evaluated in the test. Titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 and ARC Raiders fully support AMD’s current best rendering techniques. However, in these cases, gamers did not show a strong preference for AMD’s solution, with many favoring native resolution rendering instead.
While AMD’s FSR 4 provides a noticeable performance boost, it has yet to match the visual fidelity offered by NVIDIA’s DLSS 4.5. The results suggest that, for most gamers, image quality remains a top priority, and DLSS 4.5’s advanced AI model is a key differentiator.
Conclusion: DLSS 4.5 Sets a New Standard
The ComputerBase blind test demonstrates that NVIDIA’s DLSS 4.5 currently leads the field in AI upscaling technology for gaming. Its second-generation Transformer model, larger training dataset, and improved processing techniques deliver superior visual quality across a wide range of games. While AMD’s FSR 4 and “Redstone” package offer solid performance gains, DLSS 4.5 stands out as the preferred choice for gamers seeking the best possible image quality.
