“This is super, super heavy” - Experts test Nvidia’s divisive graphics-altering DLSS 5 tech and find it really does tank your game’s frame-rate
Nvidia’s DLSS 5 technology, which uses AI to alter graphics in games, has been tested and found to exact a significant performance cost. Digital Foundry conducted comprehensive testing and confirmed suspicions that the technology creates a substantial frame-rate impact. When DLSS 5 was enabled in NBA 2K27, testing revealed an approximate 40-60 percent frame-rate reduction, even on high-end hardware.
The testing was performed on a GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card running the game at Ultra settings in native 4K resolution, representing an ideal scenario for performance. Despite the top-tier hardware, the frame-rate penalty remained dramatic. Digital Foundry characterized the performance impact as “super, super heavy,” reflecting the significant computational demands of the AI-enhanced graphics technology.
The results highlight concerns about DLSS 5’s practical viability for gaming. Some experts have questioned whether the visual improvements justify the steep performance cost, with one assessment describing it as “a really expensive way to add nice lighting detail.” This sentiment underscores a fundamental tension: while AI-powered graphics enhancement can produce visual improvements, it demands substantial processing power that translates directly into reduced frame rates.
The findings emerge as DLSS 5 makes its debut in mainstream gaming through NBA 2K27. The 40-60 percent frame-rate hit represents a significant barrier to practical implementation, raising questions about broader adoption across the gaming industry.