Your AMD GPU Can Also Use Nvidia DLSS 5 Now - But There's A Catch - BGR
A new GitHub mod called DLSS-NR allows AMD Radeon GPUs to run Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology, though with significant performance limitations.
While officially unsupported, a new GitHub-based mod called DLSS-NR now enables AMD Radeon GPUs to run Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology. This breakthrough allows gamers with RX 9000, 7000, and 6000 series cards dating back to 2020 to access Nvidia's AI-enhanced gaming features.
The mod is not a simple translation layer but a comprehensive re-write of every DLSS neural network runtime specifically for AMD GPU architectures. Users need Windows 11, AMD's Adrenalin driver 26.1.1 or later, and legitimate DLSS DLL files from a supported game to make it work.
Performance Issues
Despite its technical achievement, the mod currently delivers poor performance. When enabling DLSS Neural Rendering in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K ray tracing ultra settings, an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT dropped from 61 fps to an unplayable 9 fps. The mod developer notes performance has improved to 90-100 fps at 1080p in recent builds, but significant optimization is still needed.
The problem is that the Nvidia-developed Tensor cores DLSS 5 runs from aren't in AMD GPUs. Instead, this system translates that information into code AMD GPUs can handle, but the platforms are different enough that it makes a difference.
AMD's Future Plans
AMD is reportedly developing its own equivalent to DLSS 5 for its next-generation RDNA 5 platform, expected to launch next year. Rumors suggest this technology, called "Neural Lighting," will be on-par with DLSS 5 and built specifically to leverage AMD's hardware capabilities.
In the meantime, AMD continues to rely on its FSR ecosystem, having recently expanded machine-learning-based FSR 4.1 to older RX 7000 cards. While Nvidia maintains the lead in AI software, AMD's approach offers advantages including more VRAM, competitive pricing, and more open software practices.
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