Quick Verdict
DLSS 4.0 is the newer, more advanced version with better frame time consistency and improved Frame Generation. However, DLSS 3.0 remains excellent and you may not notice a significant difference in gaming.
Recommendation: Upgrade to DLSS 4.0 when available, but don't worry if your game only supports DLSS 3.0—it's still great.
DLSS 3.0 2022
The first generation of Frame Generation technology. A massive leap forward that introduced AI-created frames.
- Standard AI upscaling
- Frame Generation (basic)
- 3 quality modes + Frame Gen
- RTX 40-series for Frame Gen
- 200+ game support
- 3-4x performance with FG
DLSS 4.0 2026
The latest evolution with multi-frame generation and improved AI algorithms for better consistency.
- Enhanced AI upscaling
- Multi-Frame Generation
- 4 quality modes + advanced FG
- RTX 40-series for Frame Gen
- 50+ game support (growing)
- 4-5x performance with FG
Feature Matrix
| Feature | DLSS 3.0 | DLSS 4.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 2022 | January 2026 |
| Upscaling Technology | AI-based with temporal data | Enhanced temporal AI |
| Frame Generation Type | Single-frame generation | Multi-frame generation |
| Frame Time Consistency | Good | Excellent |
| Latency Impact | 1-2ms | 0.5-1.5ms |
| Artifact Handling | Occasional ghosting/disocclusion | Improved artifact reduction |
| Quality Modes | Performance/Balanced/Quality + FG | Performance/Balanced/Quality/Ultra + FG |
| Supported GPUs | RTX 20+ (FG: 40+) | RTX 20+ (FG: 40+) |
| Game Support | ~200 games | ~50 games (rapidly growing) |
| Performance Gain | 2-3x (3-4x with FG) | 2-3x (4-5x with FG) |
Frame Generation Differences
DLSS 3.0 Frame Gen
✓ Advantages:
- Mature, proven technology
- Works in 200+ games
- Solid frame insertion
- 1000+ hours of testing
✗ Limitations:
- Occasional ghosting artifacts
- Can miss some disocclusions
- 1-2ms latency addition
- Frame time spikes possible
DLSS 4.0 Frame Gen
✓ Advantages:
- Multi-frame generation
- Better artifact handling
- Improved consistency
- Lower latency (0.5-1.5ms)
✗ Limitations:
- New, less tested (2026)
- Limited game support
- Still emerging technology
- Will improve with updates
Performance Metrics
| Metric | DLSS 3.0 | DLSS 4.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Performance | 2-3x at 4K | 2-3x at 4K |
| Frame Gen Performance | +60-100% additional boost | +60-120% additional boost |
| Total Performance Gain | 3-4x with Frame Gen | 4-5x with Frame Gen |
| Frame Time Variance | High (spikes to 2-3ms) | Low (stable 0.5-1ms) |
| Input Latency Add | 1-2ms average | 0.5-1.5ms average |
| 1% Low Frametime | Occasional spikes | Better consistency |
Image Quality Comparison
Upscaled Image Quality
DLSS 3.0: Excellent, nearly indistinguishable from native
DLSS 4.0: Excellent, potentially slightly better
Verdict: Virtually identical in most games
Frame-Generated Quality
DLSS 3.0: Good, occasional ghosting/artifacts
DLSS 4.0: Better, reduced artifacts
Verdict: DLSS 4.0 has edge in consistency
Overall Visual Fidelity
DLSS 3.0: Excellent for single-player, great for multiplayer
DLSS 4.0: Excellent, smoother frame delivery
Verdict: DLSS 4.0 slightly more polished
Practical Difference
For most users in real gaming, the visual difference between DLSS 3.0 and 4.0 is subtle and would require side-by-side comparisons to notice.
You won't regret either choice
Which Should You Use?
Choose DLSS 3.0 if:
- Your games don't support DLSS 4.0
- You want proven, stable performance
- You're sensitive to latency in competitive gaming
- You want maximum game compatibility
Choose DLSS 4.0 if:
- Your games support DLSS 4.0
- You want the latest improvements
- You value frame time consistency
- You're playing single-player games
- You want potential better long-term support
Use DLSS Swapper to:
Test both versions! Use DLSS Swapper to easily switch between DLSS 3.0 and 4.0. Find which performs better in YOUR specific games and hardware configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DLSS 4.0 always better than DLSS 3.0?
Not always. DLSS 4.0 has improvements in frame generation consistency, but for standard upscaling, both are nearly identical. The real benefits depend on game implementation and your specific scenario.
Should I upgrade from DLSS 3.0 to DLSS 4.0?
Not urgently. If your games support DLSS 3.0 well, you won't be missing much. Upgrade when your games offer DLSS 4.0 support, or test both versions with DLSS Swapper to see if you notice improvement.
Can I downgrade from DLSS 4.0 to DLSS 3.0?
Yes! Use DLSS Swapper to easily downgrade if you prefer DLSS 3.0. Some older games may run better with DLSS 3.0, so testing is worthwhile.
Does DLSS 4.0 add more latency?
Actually less! DLSS 4.0's Frame Generation adds only 0.5-1.5ms of latency compared to DLSS 3.0's 1-2ms. For competitive gaming, DLSS 4.0 might be slightly better, though both are acceptable.
Which handles artifacts better?
DLSS 4.0 has improved artifact handling with its multi-frame generation approach. However, both are quite good in modern implementations, and you may not notice a significant difference in practice.