NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 became one of the headline gaming announcements at CES 2026, as NVIDIA once again used the show to push real-time graphics closer to cinematic quality. The latest version of the company’s AI-powered upscaling technology focuses on cleaner visuals, higher frame rates, and more stable performance under demanding rendering conditions.
Rather than reinventing DLSS from scratch, NVIDIA refined the core technology. With a new generation of AI models and expanded frame generation, DLSS 4.5 aims to make features like path tracing viable at resolutions and refresh rates that were previously out of reach.
NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 and the second-generation Transformer model
At the heart of NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 is the second-generation Super Resolution Transformer. NVIDIA says this updated AI model improves how frames are reconstructed over time, which directly addresses long-standing issues like ghosting, flickering, and unstable edges.
Compared to earlier versions, the new Transformer model places more emphasis on temporal consistency. As a result, fast camera movement and complex lighting transitions appear smoother and more coherent. Anti-aliasing also benefits, especially in scenes with thin geometry or high-contrast edges.
Importantly, this upgrade does not require new hardware. NVIDIA is making the second-generation Super Resolution available across all RTX GPUs, extending DLSS 4.5 benefits beyond the latest graphics cards.
Dynamic Multi Frame Generation explained
Another major addition in NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 is Dynamic Multi Frame Generation. This feature dynamically scales the number of generated frames to match a display’s refresh rate.
Instead of targeting a fixed multiplier, DLSS now adapts in real time. When system performance allows, the technology pushes frame output higher, maximizing smoothness while staying in sync with the monitor.
According to NVIDIA, this approach enables up to 4K 240Hz path-traced performance on supported hardware. While such settings remain demanding, DLSS 4.5 significantly lowers the barrier for high-refresh-rate gaming with advanced lighting enabled.
Hardware support and rollout timeline
NVIDIA is splitting DLSS 4.5 features across generations. The updated Super Resolution Transformer is available immediately on all RTX GPUs. However, the most advanced frame generation mode will arrive later.
Dynamic 6× Frame Generation is scheduled to launch in spring 2026 and will initially support the RTX 50 series. NVIDIA also confirmed that DLSS 4.5 features will be accessible through the NVIDIA app and supported by more than 400 games.
This staggered rollout reflects NVIDIA’s strategy of maintaining broad compatibility while reserving the most demanding features for newer hardware.
RTX Remix Logic brings environments to life
Beyond upscaling and performance, NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 arrives alongside a new feature called RTX Remix Logic. This system allows games to react dynamically to in-game events using AI-driven logic.
For example, opening a door can trigger changes in volumetric lighting, particle behavior, or material properties. Weather effects can shift in real time, while lighting conditions adapt to player actions. NVIDIA says the system can detect more than 30 common in-game events.
RTX Remix Logic focuses on realism rather than raw performance. It enables developers and modders to add environmental responsiveness without rewriting core game systems.
Why DLSS 4.5 matters for path tracing
Path tracing remains one of the most demanding rendering techniques in real-time graphics. While it delivers unmatched realism, performance costs have limited its adoption.
With NVIDIA DLSS 4.5, the company is clearly doubling down on making path tracing practical. Higher-quality reconstruction, combined with adaptive frame generation, allows games to maintain smooth performance even when heavy lighting calculations are active.
In effect, DLSS 4.5 shifts the performance conversation. Instead of choosing between visuals and frame rate, players can push both further than before.
Expanded platform support
NVIDIA also highlighted broader platform support alongside its DLSS announcement. The company now offers native clients for Linux and Fire TV, expanding where NVIDIA-powered gaming and streaming experiences can live.
While this does not directly change how DLSS 4.5 works, it reinforces NVIDIA’s push to make its graphics ecosystem more flexible and platform-agnostic.
How NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 fits into NVIDIA’s CES strategy
CES has become NVIDIA’s stage for showing how AI shapes gaming. This year was no exception. While much of the keynote focused on broader AI topics, DLSS 4.5 stood out as a concrete example of AI improving everyday experiences for players.
Rather than chasing headline-grabbing hardware alone, NVIDIA used NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 to show how software advances can unlock more value from existing GPUs.
What developers and players should expect next
DLSS adoption continues to grow, and NVIDIA’s claim of support across hundreds of games suggests that DLSS 4.5 will reach players quickly. Developers gain access to improved reconstruction and frame generation without redesigning their rendering pipelines.
For players, the benefits are immediate. Cleaner visuals, smoother motion, and higher refresh rates arrive without the usual performance trade-offs.
Conclusion
NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 represents refinement rather than revolution, but the impact is significant. By improving temporal stability, expanding frame generation, and supporting advanced rendering techniques like path tracing, NVIDIA continues to push real-time graphics forward.
As games grow more demanding, DLSS 4.5 ensures that high resolutions and high frame rates remain achievable. At CES 2026, NVIDIA made one thing clear: AI-driven graphics are no longer optional — they are foundational.
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