Nvidia’s DLSS 5, explained

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="Lara Croft in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, with a DLSS 5 mod applied. | Screenshot by Sean Hollister / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Screenshot by Sean Hollister / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/dlss5-200.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> Lara Croft in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, with a DLSS 5 mod applied. | Screenshot by Sean Hollister / The Verge </figcaption> </figure> <p class="has-drop-cap wp-block-paragraph">Nvidia knows that <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/895753/nvidia-dlss-5-slop-face-fake-frames">DLSS 5 left a bad first impression</a>. In March, many gamers took one look at <em>Resident Evil Requiem</em> protagonist Grace Ashcroft's <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/895472/nvidia-dlss5-generative-ai-pc-graphics">DLSS 5-ified face</a> and declared it AI slop. So this week, the company's re-introducing its controversial "neural rendering" with firm messaging about how it "preserves artistic intent," "respects the rendered frame," and gives game developers full control. </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Now, ahead of <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/986378/nvidia-dlss-5-launch-nba-2k27">its September 3rd launch</a>, with an official Nvidia briefing under our belt and some hands-on time with the version that <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/986197/nvidia-dlss-5-leak-ai">leaked onto the web</a>, we think we finally get the picture. Here's what's going on.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Is DLSS 5 AI slop? </strong></h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The critic …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/986980/nvidias-dlss-5-explained">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>