Nvidia DLSS 5: what does this mean for gaming?
Intelligence Summary
- Discover how Nvidia’s DLSS 5 affects game frame rates and what it means for gamers.
In short
- DLSS 5, Nvidia’s latest gen-AI technology, has a significant impact on game frame rates.
- Tests show a 40-60% frame-rate drop in NBA 2K27 with DLSS 5 enabled.
- Frame-time costs range from 8.2ms to 13.7ms, depending on the hardware.
GAME-scanner analysis
Nvidia’s DLSS 5 is a powerful but demanding technology that may force gamers to choose between visual quality and performance. Digital Foundry describes DLSS 5 as "super, super heavy," suggesting that the implementation comes with a substantial performance cost. Tests on the GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5060 show that even high-end hardware is not immune to the drop in frame rates. That raises questions about how practical DLSS 5 really is for players who want a smooth experience, especially in competitive settings.
What does this mean for players?
For gamers, the arrival of DLSS 5 means they may have to give up the highest settings to keep frame rates playable. The steep drop in frame rates seen in NBA 2K27 can hurt the experience, especially for players who rely on reaction time and fluid gameplay. It could also affect hardware choices, with gamers potentially needing to invest in more powerful graphics cards to take advantage of DLSS 5 without sacrificing performance.
Timeline
2026-09-04: Publication of an article discussing the impact of DLSS 5 on gaming.
2026-09-07: Digital Foundry publishes detailed tests of DLSS 5 in NBA 2K27.