DLSS 4.5 Model L looks great, but benchmarks tell us you should stick to DLSS 4 if you have an older RTX GPU
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Nvidia officially announced DLSS 4.5 at CES 2026, positioning it as an evolution of DLSS 4 with a stronger second-generation Transformer AI model. The main goal of DLSS 4.5 is clear: improve image quality in aggressive upscaling modes, especially Performance and Ultra Performance, which are critical for 4K gaming.
However, when looking at real benchmark data (via Quasar Zone), DLSS 4.5 shows clear strengths in visuals, but also noticeable weaknesses in raw performance. Arc Raiders, Black Myth: Wukong, and Cyberpunk 2077 have been tested at 4K resolution using Performance and Ultra Performance presets in DLSS 4 and 4.5.
DLSS 4.5 introduces Model M and Model L, with Model L being more advanced and also demanding. Nvidia recommends using Model L with Ultra Performance because the lower internal render resolution helps offset the higher compute cost. That recommendation makes sense on paper, but the performance data shows it does not fully solve the problem.
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On RTX 50 and RTX 40 series GPUs, which support FP8 operations, the performance drop is relatively small. Average FPS typically falls by 5-10%, and 1% lows take a similar hit. These GPUs still have enough headroom to run DLSS 4.5 without major issues, especially if image quality is the priority.
The situation changes sharply on older hardware. On RTX 30 series, performance drops closer to 20-25%, while RTX 20 series GPUs can lose up to 40% compared to DLSS 4. This aligns with Nvidia’s own guidance and explains why the chart shows DLSS 4.5 falling far behind DLSS 4 on cards like the RTX 3080 and RTX 2080. The lack of FP8 support makes the heavier Transformer model much harder to run efficiently.
Despite this, image quality improvements are real. DLSS 4.5 reduces ghosting, improves edge quality, and stabilizes fine details. Games like Wuthering Waves benefit heavily due to cleaner outlines, while Black Myth: Wukong shows sharper armor and texture detail. Cyberpunk 2077 sees reduced flickering and better temporal stability rather than raw sharpness gains. VRAM usage, however, increases by up to 500 MB at 4K. This is manageable on modern GPUs, but worth keeping in mind for cards with limited memory.
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