NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 vs AMD FSR 4 “Redstone” Upscaling Performance Comparison: Is Nvidia Leading the Way Again?

Since the introduction of FSR 4 in 2022, AMD has made significant strides in the realm of upscaling technology, finally bringing competition to Nvidia’s dominant DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling).Reviewers have generally found FSR 4’s image quality to stand between DLSS 3, which utilized convolutional neural networks, and the more advanced DLSS 4, which operates on a transformer model, albeit with slightly lower performance. However, with the unveiling of DLSS 4.5 at CES 2026, Nvidia seems to have regained an edge in upscaled image quality.

DLSS 4.5: Overview of the Second Generation Transformer

DLSS 4.5 introduces several enhancements over its predecessor, DLSS 4. The key improvements are as follows:

Adoption of a second-generation transformer model
A significantly larger and higher fidelity training dataset
A marked increase in computational cost (approximately five times greater than DLSS 4)
Implementation of FP8 on RTX 4000 and 5000 series, which helps mitigate performance costs

Users can activate DLSS 4.5 on an individual game basis by accessing the Nvidia app, selecting the preferred game, navigating to Driver Settings, and adjusting the DLSS Override – Model Presets to either Preset M (Performance) or Preset L (Ultra Performance mode).For today’s analysis, we will focus on Preset M.

NVIDIA GeForce Experience application displaying the DLSS Override - Model Presets menu with options like Preset F and Preset M — DLSS Override – Model Presets Menu within the Nvidia App.

Testing Methodology

To evaluate the performance of AMD’s and Nvidia’s leading upscaling technologies, I used an RX 9060XT 8GB for FSR 4 and an RTX 5060 Ti 16GB for DLSS 4.5. Both GPUs were integrated into a testing rig with the following specifications:

Intel Core i7 13700k (configured on MSI Performance Settings)
MSI Z790MPower motherboard
32GB DDR5 RAM (2x16GB at 7200 MHz)
Seasonic Focus V3-GX 1000W PSU
Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420MM AIO cooler
Two SN850X 1TB SSDs
Windows 11 (version 24H2)
AMD Radeon Adrenaline Driver 25.12.1
NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready Driver 591.74

Most titles tested featured native FSR 4 implementations, either accessible through in-game menus—such as in Cyberpunk 2077—or via driver updates like those for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Additionally, Forza Motorsport was examined with FSR 4 enabled through Optiscaler, utilizing DLSS parameters as an experimental approach.

It is important to note that Black Ops 7 does not provide Driver Settings options within the Nvidia App for Game Pass users. As such, I employed DLSS Swapper to enable the M preset for this title. However, using DLSS 4.5 in multiplayer games this way is not generally recommended.

Footage was captured using the hardware encoders of both graphics cards, as I do not currently have a dedicated capture card setup. Consequently, the footage from the RTX 5060 Ti may appear sharper in select scenes due to its superior encoder capabilities. All games were tested at a resolution of 1440p with performance mode upscaling enabled, effectively simulating a 720p internal resolution.

Performance Considerations

Preset M can be demanding on graphics cards predating the Lovelace architecture, as it operates on a native FP8 model that necessitates conversion to a different precision format for older hardware. On the RTX 5060 Ti, the cost is comparable to standard transformer presets, consistent with FSR 4 performance metrics. Given that both the RX 9060XT and RTX 5060 Ti share similar raw rasterization capabilities, neither GPU has a significant advantage concerning frame rates, thereby offering a level playing field for the upscaling models.

Cyberpunk 2077 Performance Comparison

Starting with Cyberpunk 2077, my observations indicated similar overall image quality from both upscaling solutions. While the performance mode upscaling at 1440p does lack the sharpness of native 1440p quality, both FSR and DLSS produced acceptable images, albeit with some artifacts.

Watch Cyberpunk 2077 Comparison

Issues like shimmering effects on neon lights and textured walls were prevalent, though edge aliasing was well managed. Notably, DLSS outperformed FSR in maintaining disocclusion artifacts, especially in foliage. With DLSS 4.5, these artifacts are less pronounced, becoming noticeable only upon close inspection; conversely, FSR 4 revealed them more readily during rapid movements, resulting in a tie overall.

Watch Cyberpunk 2077 Detailed Analysis

Hogwarts Legacy Examination

When evaluating Hogwarts Legacy, DLSS clearly has the upper hand. The overall clarity improves due to the more aggressive sharpening present in Preset M. Both upscalers manage ghosting effectively, yet FSR struggles with foliage clarity: as observed in the footage, even minor camera movements result in distracting “background noise”among the foliage, requiring time for stabilization to clear up.

Watch Hogwarts Legacy Analysis

This issue has persisted with FSR 4 across various titles, highlighting its lack of evolution. While DLSS shows some difficulty with noisy foliage, it is significantly less noticeable compared to FSR, solidifying DLSS 4.5’s advantage in this title.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Results

Next, I assessed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a title known for its poor native performance resulting from heavy processing that compromises image quality. Thus, the efficacy of upscaling solutions is critical.

Watch Clair Obscur Analysis

FSR 4 typically produces a softer image, while Preset M from DLSS results in significant over-sharpening. Both methods yield images close to native quality—though native visuals are already subpar—exhibiting no significant ghosting or shimmering (with some exceptions around low-resolution reflections due to Lumen techniques).

Watch Clair Obscur Gameplay Footage

Both upscalers face the same inherent flaws of the native presentation, including noise artifacts from reflections, disocclusion issues, and ghosting phenomena. However, Preset M’s added sharpening ultimately provides a closer victory due to the unusually soft base image.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Insights

Testing Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 posed challenges given the rapid pace and frenetic action, which complicate image quality assessments. I meticulously reviewed the footage frame by frame, discovering that, to the naked eye, both upscalers exhibited similar motion clarity, although FPS experts may detect subtle differences.

Watch Black Ops 7 Comparison

Despite the internal resolution being limited to 720p, both upscaling solutions retained impressive sharpness and motion clarity, enabling a solid gaming experience.

More Footage from Black Ops 7

Forza Motorsport Experimentation

Forza Motorsport presented an intriguing case for testing, as it lacks native FSR 4 support. I resorted to Optiscaler to enable FSR 4 via DLSS parameters, a method I previously found effective while using a 9070XT with 1440p FSR 4 Quality.

Watch Forza Motorsport Experiment

However, I was taken aback by a significant decrease in image quality when applying 1440p FSR 4 Performance mode. The quality of tree and foliage reconstruction was unexpectedly poor, along with ghosting phenomena evident in taillights of vehicles, which is an uncommon drawback for FSR 4. Ultimately, DLSS 4.5 vastly outperformed FSR 4.5 in this scenario, underscoring the importance of official vendor support for upscaling technologies. Results from community modifications often vary greatly in effectiveness.

It is crucial to approach the results from this game cautiously, given that the FSR 4 implementation lacks official endorsement.

Conclusion: DLSS 4.5 Shows Promise but Competes Closely with FSR 4

After testing five titles at 1440p performance upscaling with both DLSS 4.5 Preset M and FSR 4, it’s clear that DLSS holds a slight edge now. Preset M’s heightened sharpening is advantageous for games with softer native visuals, providing a competitive advantage.

Nevertheless, DLSS is not a flawless solution, and the overall image quality remains quite comparable to FSR 4. The primary advantage of DLSS continues to be its more extensive game support. Although community tools like Optiscaler facilitate FSR 4 in games without direct support, results can often be hit-or-miss, as demonstrated in Forza Motorsport.

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