DLSS, FSR and frame generation are two different tools that often share a menu. Upscaling (DLSS Super Resolution, FSR upscaling, XeSS) renders the game at a lower resolution and rebuilds it to your screen size, which raises real frame rates and reduces input delay. Frame generation inserts extra computed frames between real ones, which makes motion look smoother but does not make the game respond faster.
That distinction decides when to use each one. Turn on upscaling when your GPU is the bottleneck and you want more performance; add frame generation only when you already have a healthy base frame rate and want smoother motion on a high-refresh display. This guide explains how each technology works in 2026, what hardware supports what, and how to choose settings. Feature support changes with each driver and game update, so confirm the current details in the game’s menu and the GPU maker’s release notes.
The Two Technologies in Plain Terms
Upscaling
The game draws each frame at a smaller internal resolution, such as a lower-resolution image sent to a 4K display. The upscaler then reconstructs a full-resolution image using motion data and previous frames. Because the GPU shades fewer pixels, the real frame rate rises. Modes are usually named Quality, Balanced and Performance, with Quality using the highest internal resolution and Performance the lowest.
Frame generation
Frame generation analyzes consecutive real frames and motion information, then creates an additional frame to display between them. The on-screen frame counter goes up, and motion looks smoother, but the game still only reads your inputs on real frames. Many implementations also add a small amount of latency because the system holds back a frame to interpolate.
Why the difference matters
A game running at a real 30 frames per second can show a higher counter with frame generation, yet still feel like 30 when you move the mouse. Upscaling improves both smoothness and feel because the real frame rate increases. Treat the two features as different tools for different problems.
Which Hardware Supports What
Vendors market these features under different names and tie them to different hardware. The list below reflects the broad picture; always check the current vendor pages, since support expands over time.
- DLSS: NVIDIA’s technology, which uses dedicated AI hardware on GeForce RTX cards. Upscaling works on RTX cards broadly, while the newest frame generation modes are limited to newer RTX generations.
- FSR: AMD’s technology, designed to be open and to run on a wide range of GPUs, including those from other vendors. Newer FSR versions use machine learning and may favor recent Radeon hardware, so read the notes for the version your game uses.
- XeSS: Intel’s upscaler, which works best on Intel Arc hardware but has a fallback path for other GPUs.
- Driver-level options: Some vendors offer frame generation or upscaling at the driver level for games without built-in support, usually with lower quality than a native integration.
Choosing Settings That Matter
Output resolution
Upscaling works best at higher target resolutions. At 4K, even Performance mode often looks acceptable because the internal image still has many pixels. At 1080p, aggressive modes have less data to work with, so Quality or Balanced is safer.
Quality mode selection
Start at Quality. If the frame rate is still short of your target, step down to Balanced, then Performance. Stop when the image starts to show shimmering, soft text or ghosting on thin objects. The best mode is the least aggressive one that reaches your target.
Base frame rate before frame generation
Frame generation works best when the real frame rate is already comfortable, commonly cited as roughly 60 frames per second or higher before generation. Below that, artifacts and added latency are more noticeable. Check the vendor’s guidance for your specific version, because recommendations vary.
Refresh rate and frame caps
Generated frames are most useful when they help fill a high-refresh display. Pair it with adaptive sync and cap the frame rate just under your monitor’s refresh rate to avoid tearing and stutter.
Latency-reduction features
Most vendors offer a latency feature, such as NVIDIA Reflex or AMD Anti-Lag, that trims the render queue. When frame generation is on, turning the latency feature on as well is generally advised, as the games that support frame generation often enable it automatically.
Upscaling Modes Explained
The mode names look similar across vendors, but the exact internal resolution each one uses can differ between technologies and versions. The table gives the general idea; check the game’s settings or the vendor documentation for precise figures.
| Mode | Internal resolution | Image quality | Performance gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native or anti-aliasing only | Full output resolution | Highest | None |
| Quality | Moderately below output | Close to native in many games | Modest to good |
| Balanced | Noticeably below output | Slight softness possible | Good |
| Performance | Well below output | More visible trade-offs at lower resolutions | Large |
| Ultra or extreme modes | Very low | Best reserved for 4K and above | Largest |
Reading the results honestly
Because an upscaler reconstructs detail from fewer pixels, the picture can look cleaner than native in some scenes (especially where it replaces the game’s own anti-aliasing) and worse in others. Judge it on the content you play: fine foliage, text on signs, thin cables and particles are where differences usually show first.
When to Use Each Option
| Situation | Upscaling | Frame generation |
|---|---|---|
| GPU struggles to hit 60 fps | Use it, start at Quality | Avoid for now; fix the base rate first |
| Solid 60 fps, want smoother motion on a high-refresh screen | Optional | Good fit |
| Competitive shooter, low latency priority | Use cautiously if it raises real fps | Usually skip |
| Slower single-player or cinematic game | Use freely | Good fit if base fps is healthy |
| Native 1080p on a modest GPU | Quality mode only | Only with a decent base fps |
| 4K display with heavy ray tracing | Balanced or Performance often work well | Useful once base fps is stable |
Image Quality Trade-Offs to Watch
These technologies are not free. Upscaling can soften fine detail, produce ghost trails behind fast objects or shimmer on thin lines such as wires and fences. Frame generation can distort UI elements, create odd edges around quick camera turns, and exaggerate any stutter that already exists in the real frames.
Image quality also varies by game, because each title provides motion data differently. A setting that looks excellent in one game can look poor in another, so compare a few scenes with the setting on and off rather than trusting a general rule. Updating the game and the GPU driver is worth doing first, since vendors regularly improve their models and a newer version can fix visible artifacts.
Ray Tracing, Handhelds and Other Special Cases
Ray tracing and path tracing
Games with heavy ray tracing are the main reason these features exist. Rendering lighting effects is costly, so upscaling is often needed to reach a playable frame rate, and some vendors add denoising or reconstruction tuned for ray-traced scenes. If you turn ray tracing on, expect to use upscaling alongside it.
Handheld PCs and laptops
On small screens with limited power budgets, upscaling extends battery life by reducing GPU work. Because the screen is small, the softness of lower modes is less noticeable, so Balanced or Performance often feel acceptable. Frame generation is trickier on handhelds, where the base frame rate is often below the comfortable threshold.
Older games and driver-level tools
Games without built-in support can sometimes use driver-level or overlay-based upscaling. Quality is usually lower than a native integration, and results vary by title, so treat these as a fallback.
Common Mistakes
- Treating a higher on-screen frame counter from frame generation as proof that the game feels faster.
- Turning on frame generation when the real frame rate is low, which can amplify lag and artifacts.
- Choosing Performance mode at 1080p and then blaming the GPU for a soft image.
- Stacking several sharpening or upscaling options (in-game, driver and monitor) on top of each other.
- Ignoring updates; newer versions of the technology and the game often fix visible problems.
Quick Setup Checklist
- Update your GPU driver and the game before adjusting settings.
- Set your display to its native resolution and enable adaptive sync.
- Enable upscaling first and pick the least aggressive mode that meets your target.
- Add frame generation only if the real frame rate is already comfortable.
- Turn on the vendor’s latency-reduction feature if the game offers it.
- Compare a fast-motion scene and a text-heavy menu with the settings on and off.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is DLSS better than FSR?
It depends on the version, the game and your hardware, so there is no single answer. DLSS uses dedicated AI hardware on RTX cards, while FSR is designed to work on a broader range of GPUs. Compare both in the game if it offers them, and check current reviews for the specific versions.
Does frame generation reduce input lag?
No. It raises displayed smoothness, but your inputs are still processed on real frames, and the technique may add a small delay. Upscaling, which raises real frame rates, is the better tool for responsiveness.
Can I use upscaling and frame generation together?
Yes, and many games are designed for it. Upscaling raises the real frame rate first, then frame generation smooths the result, which is often the combination used to reach high-refresh smoothness in demanding games.
Will these features work on an older GPU?
Some do. FSR and XeSS fallback modes are designed to run on a broad set of GPUs, while the most advanced DLSS and frame generation modes depend on recent hardware. Check the vendor’s compatibility page for your exact card.
