Starfield and DLSS: A Deep Dive into Performance Enhancements

Yes, Starfield is finally getting official support for NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology. After a launch that initially favored AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), Bethesda is rolling out a patch that incorporates DLSS, much to the delight of NVIDIA GPU owners. This addition promises to significantly improve performance and visual fidelity for many players, addressing a key concern since the game’s release. However, the rollout isn’t entirely straightforward, and there are nuances to consider, which we’ll explore in detail.

The Journey to DLSS Support in Starfield

The road to official DLSS support has been an interesting one. At the game’s launch, Starfield featured only AMD’s FSR 2, owing to a partnership between Bethesda and AMD. This left NVIDIA users reliant on the game’s default rendering or third-party mods to achieve optimal performance. The absence of native DLSS sparked considerable debate and frustration within the community, as many PC gamers preferred NVIDIA’s technology for its generally superior performance and image quality, particularly on RTX cards.

However, the community didn’t wait for official support. Modders quickly stepped up, and early DLSS mods were created to fill the gap. These mods, while often effective, sometimes required technical know-how to install and were not always as polished as a native integration. Among the most prominent modders was PureDark, who developed both DLSS and FSR enhancements for the game, even introducing DLSS 3.5 capabilities via Patreon.

The upcoming patch marks a significant turning point, with official Bethesda-supported DLSS finally becoming available. This integration should offer greater stability and optimized performance compared to earlier modded solutions. This move signifies a shift from the initial AMD-centric approach, ensuring that NVIDIA users can finally leverage the full potential of their hardware when playing Starfield.

What Does DLSS Mean for Starfield?

The introduction of DLSS in Starfield offers several key advantages:

• Improved Performance: DLSS uses AI-powered upscaling to render the game at a lower internal resolution and then reconstructs the image to appear as if it were running at a higher one. This process reduces the computational load on the GPU, leading to increased framerates, smoother gameplay, and reduced stuttering.
• Enhanced Visual Quality: Despite rendering at a lower internal resolution, DLSS’s AI upscaling aims to maintain or even improve the visual fidelity of the game. This results in a sharper, clearer image compared to standard upscaling methods.
• Wider Accessibility: The official inclusion of DLSS means that the functionality is readily available and supported within the game itself. Gamers no longer need to seek out third-party mods and wrestle with manual installations.
• Support for Newer GPUs: DLSS, and particularly DLSS Frame Generation, leverages the specialized hardware in NVIDIA RTX cards, such as the Tensor Cores and Optical Flow Accelerator. These capabilities are not present in older GPUs, offering significant performance boosts on more recent cards.

The most significant aspect for many players is the promise of a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. Starfield’s CPU-intensive nature has often resulted in performance bottlenecks, especially at higher resolutions. DLSS provides a mechanism to alleviate some of this pressure on the GPU, resulting in better frame times and a more stable framerate.

DLSS Variants: DLSS 3 and Beyond

While the initial official support will likely include the core DLSS functionality, there’s also the question of DLSS 3 and Frame Generation. These are NVIDIA technologies that have further boosted performance by using AI to generate entire frames, rather than just upscaling existing ones. The benefits of DLSS 3 and Frame Generation are most pronounced on RTX 40 series GPUs, offering very substantial gains in frame rate.

It remains to be seen whether the initial official integration of DLSS will include DLSS 3 or 3.5. Many have noted that these options have already become available via community mods, and players will be keen to see if Bethesda brings these to the official implementation. In the meantime, the available DLSS mods provide a taste of the potential benefits for NVIDIA RTX 40-series users.

DLSS and the Game Pass Question

There is one crucial piece of information that is important to highlight. As of the latest information, DLSS will not be available for Game Pass players immediately. This means that while those who own Starfield on Steam will be able to access the DLSS update in the initial beta patch, Game Pass subscribers will have to wait. The reason behind this temporary exclusivity is unclear but may be related to the deployment of updates on different platforms.

FAQs: Deep Diving into Starfield’s DLSS Implementation

1. What is the difference between DLSS and FSR?

DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is NVIDIA’s proprietary upscaling technology, which uses AI to boost performance and maintain visual quality, while FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) is AMD’s open-source, upscaling technology designed to work across a broader range of GPUs. Generally, DLSS is considered superior in terms of quality and performance, particularly on NVIDIA RTX cards, while FSR can be more accessible for older hardware.

2. Will DLSS improve Starfield’s performance on my PC?

Yes, DLSS should significantly improve performance, particularly if you are using an NVIDIA RTX graphics card. It allows the game to render at a lower internal resolution and uses AI to upscale it, resulting in higher frame rates and smoother gameplay.

3. Do I need a specific NVIDIA GPU to use DLSS?

Yes, you need an NVIDIA RTX graphics card to use DLSS. DLSS relies on the Tensor Cores found in RTX cards, which are not present in GTX or older GPUs.

4. What about DLSS 3.0? Is that coming to Starfield?

DLSS 3.0 includes Frame Generation, which further boosts performance by generating entire frames using AI. Whether the official DLSS implementation will include DLSS 3 or 3.5 is currently not specified, but it is a highly anticipated feature for NVIDIA RTX 40-series owners.

5. Can I still use DLSS mods after the official support is added?

Yes, you can typically still use DLSS mods even after official support. However, Bethesda’s official implementation will likely offer greater stability and more seamless integration. It’s best to test both options to see which performs better on your system.

6. Will DLSS make Starfield look worse?

No, DLSS is designed to maintain or even improve visual quality while boosting performance. While some minor differences are possible compared to native rendering, most users find that the upscaled image looks very close to or better than the native one, especially at higher resolutions.

7. Is the Starfield DLSS mod worth it?

The early DLSS mods for Starfield are definitely worth considering if you have an NVIDIA GPU and struggled with performance before the official implementation. They offer a significant improvement in frame rates and image quality.

8. Is there a cost to the Starfield DLSS mod?

Some DLSS mods are free, while others are available through platforms such as Patreon, where users can financially support mod developers. For example, PureDark’s DLSS 3 and Frame Generation mod was initially locked behind a paywall, although, there are also free alternatives.

9. How do I enable DLSS in Starfield?

With the official integration, enabling DLSS will likely be an option in the game’s graphics settings menu. Users will select the DLSS option, similar to how they might select FSR or other upscaling methods.

10. Why was DLSS not included in Starfield at launch?

Starfield initially launched with support for AMD’s FSR due to a partnership between Bethesda and AMD. This decision excluded NVIDIA users from using DLSS, which ultimately led to community mods and calls for official support.

11. Is Starfield CPU or GPU intensive?

Starfield is both CPU and GPU intensive, but many users have noted that it leans heavily on the CPU. This can create bottlenecks, especially at higher resolutions, which makes performance improvements like DLSS very valuable.

12. Does DLSS only work at 1440p or 4K resolutions?

DLSS works on a variety of resolutions, typically rendering the game internally at a lower resolution and then using AI upscaling to enhance its display quality. The benefit of using DLSS is that it will give you smoother framerates across various resolutions

13. Will a 3070 GPU be sufficient for Starfield with DLSS?

Yes, a 3070 GPU should perform well with Starfield once DLSS is enabled, especially at 1440p. DLSS can significantly boost the performance of the 3070, providing a much smoother gameplay experience than without the upscaling technology.

14. Will DLSS be available to Game Pass users?

DLSS will not be available for Game Pass users initially when the beta update launches. The feature will initially be exclusive to the Steam version of the game. Game Pass users will have to wait for a separate patch to get DLSS support.

15. Is Starfield capped at 30 FPS on consoles?

Yes, Starfield is capped at 30 FPS on Xbox Series X/S consoles to maintain consistent performance and high graphical quality. DLSS won’t affect console versions of the game; it’s purely for PC platforms.

Final Thoughts

The arrival of official DLSS support in Starfield is a significant step forward for PC gamers, particularly those invested in NVIDIA hardware. It addresses a primary concern since launch, offering a substantial boost in performance and visual quality. While the rollout might not be instantaneous for all players, particularly Game Pass subscribers, it signifies a commitment from Bethesda to enhance the experience for everyone.