Will Starfield have Nvidia DLSS support? AMD FSR & AI upscaling explained

Nvidia DLSS can help graphically intense games run at reasonable frame rates on our current hardware setups - but is it available to use in Starfield? Keep reading to find out more.

Tarun Sayal

30th Aug 2023 17:43

Images via Bethesda

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If you’re wondering whether Starfield will have Nvidia DLSS support, then your search ends here. DLSS stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling, a real-time deep learning image enhancement and upscaling technology developed by Nvidia.

This technology uses deep learning to enhance the quality of low-resolution frames. It renders frames at a lower resolution than the display and then upscales them to match the native resolution. Therefore, many PC gamers are wondering if Starfield will have Nvidia DLSS support. Keep reading to find out if the game does in fact support DLSS, or if other AI upscaling methods are used.

Check out our explanation of the Starfield special editions

Does Starfield have Nvidia DLSS support?

Currently, Starfield does not offer support for Nvidia DLSS. This is because Bethesda, the developer of Starfield, has joined forces with AMD as its PC partner for the game, and AMD happens to be Nvidia’s competitor in the graphics card market.

AMD has its own upscaling technology, FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which functions similarly to DLSS by utilizing algorithms to enhance game visuals and frame rates. However, it doesn’t rely on deep learning or specialized hardware.

According to AMD, FSR boasts compatibility and accessibility compared to DLSS since it can work on any GPU, not just Nvidia’s RTX series. However, some critics argue that FSR falls short in terms of fidelity and performance gains when compared to DLSS.

On top of that, FSR lacks support for ray tracing - a feature that brings realistic lighting effects into games - which is supported by Nvidia’s RTX cards along with DLSS. Ray tracing is anticipated to be a selling point for Starfield.

Check out how to get Starfield early access and begin playing on September 1

Will Starfield get DLSS support in the future?

Chances are Starfield will have DLSS support after the official launch. Frank Azor, AMD's chief architect of gaming solutions, has said that Bethesda has AMD's support if it wants to include DLSS in the game at a later date.

He also mentioned that AMD is open to collaborating with Nvidia to ensure that FSR is compatible with its competitor's GPUs. Therefore, Starfield can offer both FSR and DLSS options in the future, depending on Bethesda’s decision.

For now, PC gamers who wish to experience Starfield with Nvidia DLSS will need to be patient or explore alternatives. One such option is a modder known as PureDark, which claims to have the ability to enable DLSS support in games where it’s not originally available.

He has successfully accomplished this for titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2, but he charges a fee for his mods. It’s worth noting that these mods are unofficial and may not function properly or cause compatibility issues with other mods or updates.

For more Starfield guides, stick with GGRecon. Alternatively, look at all Starfield skills to learn more about progression.

About The Author

Tarun Sayal

Tarun is an experienced freelance gaming writer with over five years of experience covering a wide range of video games. With a passion for the gaming industry, he specialises in writing features, guides, and news for popular live service games such as Fortnite, Warzone, VALORANT, Genshin Impact, and more. Over the years, he has honed his skills in writing comprehensive guides, insightful features, and breaking news stories that keep gamers informed and entertained.

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