For PC gamers, NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) is no longer optional — it’s essential. Yet many players notice something strange: one game looks razor‑sharp and stable, while another looks blurry, shimmery, or plagued by ghosting, even on the same GPU.
The culprit usually isn’t your hardware. It’s the DLSS preset baked into the game.
Most games ship with an older DLSS model and never update it. With the NVIDIA App’s DLSS Override feature (introduced in early 2026), you can finally take control — manually upgrading DLSS models, switching presets, and tuning image quality far beyond the in‑game menu. With DLSS 4.5’s new second‑generation transformer model, manual tuning matters more than ever.
This guide explains what DLSS presets really do, how the override system works, and how to choose the best preset for flawless visuals.
What the NVIDIA App DLSS Override Actually Does (Official Behavior)
With NVIDIA App v11.0.6+ (Beta), NVIDIA added DLSS Overrides, solving a long‑standing problem: games locked to outdated DLSS DLLs.
The override system lets you manually control three DLSS components:
1. Super Resolution Model Override
Forces a newer DLSS AI model into games using older versions
Lets you select Latest or manually choose presets (A–M)
2. Super Resolution Mode Override
Forces Quality, Balanced, Performance, or DLAA
Enables DLAA even in games that don’t officially support it
3. Frame Generation Override (RTX 40/50)
Upgrades Frame Generation models
Enables Multi Frame Generation on RTX 50‑series GPUs
Important clarification: According to NVIDIA’s own support documentation, selecting “Latest” for Super Resolution currently maps to Preset K, NVIDIA’s recommended transformer model for DLSS 4.5.
This means “Latest” is safe — but not always optimal.
Why Manual DLSS Presets Matter More Than Ever
DLSS is not a single algorithm. It’s a family of AI models, each trained with different priorities:
Motion stability
Edge sharpness
Performance efficiency
Temporal reconstruction
Game developers typically tune DLSS around one preset at launch. Forcing a newer model can dramatically improve — or occasionally worsen — image quality. Community testing confirms that manual preset selection consistently outperforms “set and forget.”
DLSS Presets Explained: What A, C, E, F, J, K, and M Actually Do
DLSS Preset Reference Table
| Preset | Model Type | Best Use Case | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| A–F | CNN | Legacy compatibility | Older models, mostly obsolete |
| Preset C | CNN | Fast‑paced games | Reduced ghosting, less temporal data |
| Preset E | CNN | Stable fallback | Excellent balance, efficient |
| Preset F | CNN | Ultra Performance / DLAA | Used at extreme scaling |
| Preset J | Transformer | Early DLSS 4 | Improved stability vs CNN |
| Preset K | Transformer | DLSS 4 / 4.5 default | NVIDIA’s recommended model |
| Preset M | Transformer (Gen‑2) | DLSS 4.5 highest quality | Best detail, most demanding |
The Critical Shift: CNN → Transformer
Presets J and newer use transformer AI models — similar to modern generative AI systems. Compared to CNN presets, they:
Preserve fine detail better
Reduce shimmer and crawling
Improve motion clarity
However, they also demand more compute — especially on RTX 20/30 GPUs.
Step‑by‑Step: How to Apply DLSS Preset Overrides Correctly
Update Everything
Latest Game Ready Driver
NVIDIA App v11.0.6.374+ (enable Beta features)
Open NVIDIA App → Graphics
Use Program Settings First (Recommended)
Select a specific game
Avoid Global overrides unless necessary
DLSS Override – Model Presets
Set to Custom (not Latest)
Choose desired Super Resolution preset
Apply & Verify
Use NVIDIA Overlay (Alt + R)
Confirm DLSS model is active
Choosing the Right DLSS Preset: Practical Scenarios
When “Latest” (Preset K/M) Is Best
Slow‑paced, cinematic games
Single‑player titles
RTX 40/50 GPUs
Image quality prioritized over FPS
When Preset K Beats Preset M
Games with heavy foliage shimmer
Titles tuned for earlier DLSS 4
RTX 30 GPUs sensitive to performance loss
When Preset E Is the Secret Weapon
RTX 20/30 GPUs
Competitive shooters
CPU‑limited systems
When DLSS 4.5 causes FPS drops
Community benchmarks consistently show Preset E delivers near‑transformer quality at much lower cost.
DLSS 4.5, Performance, and Older RTX GPUs (Reality Check)
Transformer presets are computationally heavier:
RTX 20/30 GPUs lack FP8 acceleration
DLSS 4.5 runs in FP16 instead
This can cause 10–35% FPS loss depending on the game
If you see performance drops:
Step back from Preset M → K
Or from K → Preset E
Image quality loss is often minimal, while FPS gains are substantial.
Ray Reconstruction: The Hidden Preset Killer
Community testing shows Ray Reconstruction can override or disable DLSS presets, even when forced via the NVIDIA App.
Best practice:
If presets aren’t sticking, disable Ray Reconstruction
Then re‑apply the DLSS override
This behavior is not clearly documented by NVIDIA but is widely confirmed by users.
DLAA: Maximum Quality When Performance Allows
DLAA uses DLSS purely as an anti‑aliasing solution.
Use DLAA when:
You can run native resolution comfortably
You want zero TAA blur
You’re playing slower games or photo modes
DLAA + Preset K is currently considered the cleanest image pipeline available.
Troubleshooting: When Overrides Don’t Stick
If your DLSS overrides reset:
Apply settings per‑game, not globally
Restart the NVIDIA App
Toggle override off → on
Ensure the game isn’t rewriting settings at launch
Advanced users may experiment with tools like DLSSTweaks, but be cautious — file modification can trigger anti‑cheat systems.
Best Practices for Pixel‑Perfect DLSS
Always benchmark after changing presets
Use Program overrides before Global
Avoid forcing the newest preset blindly
Match preset to game type
Re‑test after major driver updates
Final Verdict: DLSS Is No Longer a Toggle — It’s a Toolkit
DLSS 4.5 represents NVIDIA’s most advanced upscaling yet, but its full potential is unlocked only through manual tuning. By understanding presets and using the NVIDIA App’s override system wisely, you can:
Fix blurry or unstable DLSS visuals
Restore lost performance on older GPUs
Achieve cleaner images than native TAA
DLSS is no longer just on or off — it’s a precision instrument. And now, you know how to use it.
Community & Resource Links
Staying informed about DLSS behavior across different GPUs is crucial—especially as Nvidia’s AI models evolve faster than older hardware can keep up. The following trusted community hubs and expert resources provide ongoing testing, real-world benchmarks, and practical fixes for DLSS 4.5 performance issues.
🔧 Expert Analysis & Benchmarking
These outlets consistently deliver in-depth, reproducible GPU testing:
Tom’s Hardware – DLSS & GPU Performance Coverage: Detailed DLSS 4.5 vs DLSS 4 performance comparisons across RTX generations, including documented regressions on RTX 20 and 30 Series GPUs.
r/nvidia (Reddit): Active discussions on DLSS 4.5 regressions, preset overrides, and Nvidia App behavior across different GPUs.
FSR 4 vs. DLSS 4: Comparing AMD & NVIDIA's Latest AI Upscaling
Why DLSS 4.5 Can Perform Worse Than DLSS 4 on Your Older RTX GPU: Full Guide
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