DLSS should not be the benchmark

Jan 10

Native benchmark is more important

At CES 2025, Nvidia introduced the RTX 50 series GPUs, powered by the new Blackwell architecture. These GPUs promise significant advancements in gaming performance, particularly with the integration of DLSS 4 technology.

However, a notable concern is that many of Nvidia's benchmarks for these GPUs heavily incorporate DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). For enthusiasts who prefer gaming at native resolutions, this reliance on upscaling technologies can be disappointing. DLSS, while enhancing performance by generating additional frames and improving image quality through AI, doesn't always match the clarity and detail of native rendering. This is especially evident at lower resolutions, such as 1080p, where DLSS may produce a blurrier image compared to native rendering.

Furthermore, benchmarks that utilize DLSS can sometimes present performance comparisons that may not reflect real-world native performance. For instance, claims that the RTX 5070 matches the performance of the RTX 4090 might be accurate within the context of DLSS-enhanced scenarios. However, in native 4K gaming with ray tracing enabled—a setup favored by many for its visual fidelity—the RTX 4090's superior hardware capabilities would likely offer a distinct advantage.

It's also worth noting that while DLSS 4 introduces features like Multi Frame Generation, which can significantly boost frame rates, the subjective experience of image quality remains a critical factor for many gamers. The preference for native resolution stems from a desire for the most authentic and unaltered visual experience, free from potential artifacts introduced by AI-driven upscaling.

Nvidia's recent unveiling of the RTX 50 series GPUs has sparked discussions regarding their price-to-performance ratios. The pricing structure is as follows:

RTX 5070: $549 (S$910)
RTX 5070 Ti: $749 (S$1,250)
RTX 5080: $999 (S$1,660)
RTX 5090: $1,999 (S$3,320)

While the flagship RTX 5090's price aligns with expectations for an enthusiast-grade card, the pricing of the RTX 5080 has raised eyebrows. Without access to performance metrics that exclude DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) enhancements, justifying the RTX 5080's $999 price point becomes challenging. Nvidia has indicated that their benchmarks, including comparisons suggesting the RTX 5070 rivals the RTX 4090, are conducted with DLSS enabled. This reliance on DLSS makes it difficult to assess the true performance of these GPUs in creative applications like Blender, where DLSS may not provide the same benefits as in gaming scenarios.

Consequently, until independent reviewers can evaluate these cards without DLSS, determining their genuine value proposition remains uncertain. As a current RTX 4090 owner, this situation brings mixed feelings. On one hand, the apparent minimal performance improvements in the RTX 50 series are disappointing; on the other, it suggests that the RTX 4090 will remain a viable and competitive option until the arrival of the RTX 60 series.