Should you enable DLSS 4.5 - a detailed analysis from Hardware Unboxed
Upscaling experts from Hardware Unboxed, who analyze the quality of DLSS and FSR, have thoroughly tested DLSS 4.5. The editors have prepared a detailed comparison of NVIDIA's new upscaler with DLSS 4.0.
DLSS 4.5 has become a noticeable step forward in many aspects compared to the already strong DLSS 4.0. Hardware Unboxed notes that in many games and scenarios on 4K screens, DLSS 4.5 Performance mode (Preset M) looks better than DLSS 4.0 Quality.
Overall, I prefer the way DLSS 4.5 Preset M looks compared to DLSS 4.0. The new upscaling almost completely solves the problems with image ghosting, disocclusion artifacts, and the quality of vegetation in motion. In these aspects, DLSS 4.5 Performance (Preset M) may look better than DLSS 4.0 Quality (Preset K). Therefore, I recommend DLSS 4.5 primarily in third-person games and projects with dense vegetation. (…) Despite minor issues, DLSS 4.5 is my choice when it comes to maximum image quality.
At the same time, the publication notes some drawbacks. Sometimes there is flickering of lighting, mainly in games with ray tracing, as well as a slight over-sharpening in some projects. On the other hand, DLSS 4.5 provides clearer particle effects and better color display in the brightest areas of the frame. Regarding performance, Hardware Unboxed advises RTX 20 and RTX 30 owners to stick with DLSS 4.0, as models M and L show significantly worse results on older GPUs.
DLSS is now better than ever when it comes to reconstructing images from low resolutions. (…) DLSS 4.5 Performance mode is now extremely effective in 4K, offering excellent image quality in motion, and even in 1440p the situation looks good.
