What is a DLSS preset?
Presets confuse many players because the word appears in guides without explanation. This section explains it in the simplest terms.
A preset is a choice of AI model
Every DLSS mode, such as Quality or Performance, controls how many pixels the game draws before the AI rebuilds the picture. The preset controls something different: which trained AI model does the rebuilding. You can think of the mode as the size of the puzzle you give the AI, and the preset as the identity of the person solving it.
Why NVIDIA uses letters
NVIDIA labels models with letters because it ships several at once, each tuned for a slightly different job. Games can use a default, and the NVIDIA App can override it. The letters are internal names, which is why they look arbitrary.
Why there is more than one
Different models trade sharpness, stability, ghosting and performance in different ways. A model that is excellent at very low internal resolution may be heavier than one tuned for Quality mode. Offering several lets NVIDIA and developers choose what suits each case.
Presets and modes work together
You choose a mode in the game. The preset may be chosen by the game, or by you through the app. The two together decide the final result. The companion guide to DLSS quality, balanced and performance modes explains modes, and this page explains presets.
The presets you are likely to meet
The names below come from NVIDIA's announcements and independent coverage. NVIDIA may add or rename presets in future updates, so treat the NVIDIA App as the final authority for your version.
| Preset | Model family | Where you may meet it |
|---|---|---|
| A to F | Earlier CNN-based models | Older games and older DLSS versions |
| J | First transformer model | Early DLSS 4 games |
| K | Improved first-generation transformer | DLSS 4 default in many games |
| L | Second-generation transformer (DLSS 4.5) | Reported as tuned for Ultra Performance |
| M | Second-generation transformer (DLSS 4.5) | Reported as tuned for Performance and general use |
How to read the table
The early letters belong to the older, simpler models. The transformer era began with J and K. The DLSS 4.5 update added L and M. Some details, such as exactly which preset is tuned for which mode, come from independent testers and press coverage, not from a single official chart, so check the app before you rely on them.
Do not memorise the table
You only need to remember that K is the safe, widely tested transformer choice, and that L and M are newer and heavier models that may look better in low-resolution modes on recent cards.
What each important preset is good for
Preset K
Preset K is the improved first-generation transformer model. It is a strong all-round choice, with good image stability at moderate cost, and it is the preset most guides recommend for Quality, Balanced and DLAA. On older RTX cards, it is usually the best balance of quality and performance.
Preset M
Preset M is part of the DLSS 4.5 second-generation transformer family. Independent testers reported that it makes Performance mode look noticeably cleaner on RTX 40 and 50 cards, at a modest frame rate cost. If you rely on Performance mode at 4K, M is worth testing.
Preset L
Preset L is another DLSS 4.5 model that testers associated with Ultra Performance mode. It targets the very lowest internal resolutions, where the AI has the least information, and it is mainly relevant to high-resolution displays and the lowest modes.
Why Quality mode may not need the newest preset
At Quality mode, the internal resolution is already high, so the older model has plenty to work with, and the difference from a newer one is smaller. That is why many guides keep K for Quality, Balanced and DLAA.
Which preset should you choose?
The answer depends on your card, your mode and your tolerance for lost frames. The table gives a starting plan, and it reflects common independent recommendations, not a guarantee.
| Your card | Quality, Balanced, DLAA | Performance | Ultra Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 50 series | K | Try M | Try L |
| RTX 40 series | K | Try M | Try L |
| RTX 30 series | K | K, test M cautiously | K |
| RTX 20 series | K | K | K |
Why older cards are different
The newer presets use more calculation, and older RTX cards lack some of the hardware features that make them efficient. Reports on the second-generation model found larger frame rate drops on RTX 20 and RTX 30 cards. If your frame rate is tight, K is the safer choice.
What "Recommended" means in the app
The NVIDIA App offers a "Recommended" or "Latest" option that picks presets for you. One tester reported that the recommended setting applies the newest model only to the Performance and Ultra Performance modes, and uses K elsewhere. Behaviour can change between app versions, so confirm with the on-screen indicator.
A simple default
If you do not want to experiment, leave the override on the app's recommended setting, play, and revisit only if you notice a problem. Our guide to the NVIDIA App shows where this lives.
How to change a preset
The NVIDIA App provides a clean way to do it without touching game files.
Steps in the NVIDIA App
Open the NVIDIA App and go to Graphics. Choose Program settings, and select the game. Scroll to the Driver settings section, and find the DLSS Override for model presets. Choose the option you want, such as Latest, or a specific preset. Make sure DLSS Super Resolution is switched on inside the game, because the override only applies when the game uses DLSS. Restart the game and test.
How to confirm it worked
Turn on the DLSS on-screen indicator from the NVIDIA overlay. It shows the DLSS version and the preset in use. If it still reports the old preset, restart the game, check that the in-game switch is on, and make sure the game supports overrides.
How to undo it
Set the override back to "Use the 3D application setting". The change is reversible, and nothing is edited in the game folder.
In-game choices
Some games let you choose a DLSS model or quality profile in their own menus. The labels may not match NVIDIA's letters, so use the on-screen indicator to see what is actually active. The page on enabling DLSS in any game explains the steps for games without menus.
A step-by-step way to find your best preset
You can settle on the right preset for a game in about twenty minutes. Follow this routine.
Step one: set up a repeatable scene
Choose a spot in the game with a mix of detail and movement, such as a street with fences and signs. Turn on a performance overlay and the DLSS on-screen indicator. Stand in the same place for every test.
What to note down
Write down the average frame rate, the lowest frame rate you see and your impression of the picture. A short written note beats memory, because differences are subtle.
Step two: test the mode you actually use
Pick the DLSS mode you plan to play with, for example Balanced. Test preset K first, then the newest preset the app offers. Do not change the mode between tests, or you will compare two things at once.
Step three: look for specific problems
Check thin lines, hair, foliage and text, and watch for ghosting when the camera turns quickly. Decide whether the newer preset fixes anything that bothers you.
Step four: decide using both numbers and eyes
If the newer preset looks cleaner and the frame rate loss is small, keep it. If it looks the same, keep K and enjoy the extra frames. If it looks worse, return to the default for that game.
Presets by resolution and card tier
The same preset can feel different at different resolutions, because the internal resolution changes.
1080p
At 1080p, even Quality mode renders at a modest internal resolution. Presets tuned for low resolutions can help, but the cost matters on entry cards. K in Quality mode is a good start. The guide to DLSS 4 on the RTX 5050 shows a budget-card approach.
1440p
At 1440p, Balanced and Quality are comfortable on mid-range cards. Test M in Performance mode if you need extra frames.
4K
At 4K, even Performance mode starts from a decent internal resolution, so newer presets can look very good there. High-end cards have the headroom to try L or M comfortably.
Laptops
Laptop cards run at lower power, so a frame rate cost matters more. Test carefully, and keep an eye on temperatures, because a heavier model makes the card work harder. The guide to thermal and power limits explains how to read the numbers.
Games and presets in practice
Game behaviour varies, so general advice has limits.
Games that already ship with DLSS 4 or later
These usually pick a sensible preset themselves. You may still override it in the app, and results differ between titles. The site's article on Resident Evil Requiem path tracing and DLSS settings shows how one modern game handles the choices.
Games with older DLSS versions
Older games may use CNN presets. The NVIDIA App override can bring a transformer model to many of them, with the caveat that a game tuned for the older look may behave oddly.
Online games
Some online games restrict modified files. Driver-level overrides are designed to be safe, but if you play a game with strict anti-cheat, check its rules before experimenting.
Presets and the other DLSS features
Presets are not limited to upscaling. Several parts of DLSS have their own model choices, and knowing which is which prevents confusion.
Super Resolution presets
These are the letters discussed so far, and they govern the upscaler. This is where most players spend their time, and it is where the Quality, Balanced and Performance modes apply.
Ray Reconstruction presets
Ray Reconstruction has its own models, including a transformer version introduced with DLSS 4. It is chosen separately in the NVIDIA App's override, so a game can use one preset for upscaling and another for lighting. Our guide to Ray Reconstruction covers it.
Frame generation models
Frame generation has models of its own. NVIDIA's DLSS 4.5 update added a newer one for RTX 40 and RTX 50 cards. If you use frame generation, the override option for it can be set to the latest model, which applies only when frame generation is on in the game. The article on Multi Frame Generation explains how those frames are created.
One setting per feature
When you open the NVIDIA App's override page, you may see several drop-down menus. Each controls one feature. Changing the Super Resolution preset does not change frame generation or Ray Reconstruction.
Presets and DLAA
DLAA applies DLSS quality processing at your screen's native resolution, so no upscaling happens. It uses the same model families, and the preset still matters.
Which preset suits DLAA
Independent guidance has generally recommended K for DLAA, because the internal resolution is already full and the older transformer model handles it well. A heavier preset would cost frames with little extra benefit. Read the dedicated explainer on DLAA for when to choose it.
Why this matters for high-end cards
Owners of powerful cards who play at 1080p or 1440p often have performance to spare. DLAA with preset K is a clean way to spend that spare performance on picture quality.
What the NVIDIA overlay shows you
The overlay is the easiest way to know what is really running.
Turning the indicator on
In the NVIDIA overlay, which you open with a keyboard shortcut shown in the app, look for the DLSS statistics or indicator option. Once enabled, a small text block appears in the corner of the game.
What you will read
The block shows the DLSS version, the active preset, the render resolution and the output resolution, and whether features such as frame generation are on. These details let you check that an override took effect.
How to use the numbers
If the render resolution looks lower than you expected, the mode may be more aggressive than you thought. If the preset letter is not the one you chose, check the override and restart the game.
Why not trust the menu alone
Games label settings in their own ways, and an override may apply without the menu reflecting it. The indicator reports what the DLSS software is actually doing, which is the ground truth.
A worked example: tuning for a mid-range card
This imaginary example shows the process from start to finish.
The starting point
A player has an RTX 4070 and a 1440p monitor. The game defaults to Quality mode with the first-generation transformer model, and the frame rate is acceptable but the player sees some shimmering on distant fences.
The experiment
The player turns on the indicator and confirms preset K. They set the override to the latest model and restart. The indicator shows a newer preset. In the same scene, the fences look steadier, and the frame rate falls slightly.
The decision
The loss is small and the picture is better, so the player keeps the new setting. Later they notice a different game looks worse with it, and they set that game back to its default. Each game gets its own choice.
The lesson
Presets are tools, and the best choice depends on the game. The routine of testing, noting and deciding is more useful than any fixed recommendation.
How presets affect different image problems
Different problems respond to different changes. The table matches common complaints to sensible first moves.
| What you see | Possible remedy | Why it might work |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost trails behind moving objects | Newer transformer preset | Better use of motion context |
| Shimmering on fences and wires | Newer preset or a higher mode | More stable edge handling |
| Soft, blurry picture in Performance mode | Preset M | Tuned for lower internal resolutions |
| Frame rate too low after a preset change | Preset K or a faster mode | Lighter model, fewer calculations |
| Noisy lighting in a ray-traced game | Check the Ray Reconstruction model | A separate model controls lighting |
How to use the table
Treat each row as a suggestion to test, not a guaranteed fix. A problem can come from the game's motion data, its own sharpening or its post-processing, and no preset can repair those.
What presets cannot fix
A preset cannot add detail that the game never rendered, and it cannot repair a game that supplies poor motion information. If a problem appears in every preset, the cause lies elsewhere.
Myths about presets
Myth: the highest letter is always best
The letters do not form a ranking. Each preset is a different model with its own strengths. A later letter may be tuned for a particular mode, not for everything.
Myth: you need an RTX 50 card for the newest presets
The DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution model runs on all RTX cards. The real question is whether your card has the spare performance to absorb its cost.
Myth: changing presets can damage your card
It cannot. A preset is a software choice that selects a model. It does not change voltage, clock speed or any other hardware setting.
Myth: presets only matter to experts
Many players benefit from a single, simple change, such as letting the app use its latest model in a game that looks soft. You do not need expertise, only a willingness to compare.
Why the NVIDIA App default is usually enough
For most players, the best advice is to leave the override on the app's recommended setting. NVIDIA tunes that default for typical cards and modes, and it changes as new models arrive.
What you gain by leaving it alone
You avoid the work of testing every game, and you benefit from improvements as NVIDIA updates the recommendation. If a game misbehaves, you can then override that game alone.
When to override
Override when a particular game looks wrong, when you have the time to test, or when you use a mode that the default treats cautiously. Keep notes, so that you can return to a known good state.
A word on benchmark enthusiasm
Online discussions can make presets sound like a competition. The goal is a game that looks good and plays smoothly on your computer, not the longest list of optimisations. Spend your time playing.
Preparing for future presets
NVIDIA has added lettered presets at several points, and more may follow. A few habits keep you ready.
Keep software current
New presets arrive through the NVIDIA App and drivers. Update both periodically, and read the release notes for DLSS entries. The Game Ready and Studio driver guide explains which to follow.
Treat advice as dated
A recommendation written for one set of presets may not suit the next. When you read a guide, check its date, and look for signs that it covers the version you have.
Remember the principle
Whatever the letters, the approach stays the same: pick a mode, test a preset in a scene you know, compare numbers and picture, and keep what works. That routine will outlast any particular letter.
Reading other people's preset advice
Forums, videos and social posts are full of preset advice. Some is excellent, and some is outdated or incomplete. Use these questions to judge it.
Does it say which card and resolution it was tested on?
A preset that suits an RTX 5080 at 4K may not suit an RTX 3060 at 1080p. Advice without that context is only half useful.
Does it state the mode and the game?
Presets behave differently in different modes, and games use DLSS differently. Look for advice that names both.
Is it recent?
Because NVIDIA keeps adding presets and refining recommendations, advice from a year ago may no longer apply. Check the date, and look for mentions of DLSS 4.5 if you want guidance on L and M.
Is it about performance, image quality or both?
Some posts chase frame rates and ignore the picture, and others do the opposite. A balanced post reports both, which is what you need to decide for yourself.
Does it admit uncertainty?
Good guides say when something is unconfirmed. Press coverage of presets L and M, for example, has noted differences between sources about which mode each is tuned for. A guide that claims certainty where none exists deserves caution.
Summary: the short version
Presets are lettered choices of AI model, and most players need to know only a few facts. Preset K is the safe, well-tested transformer choice for Quality, Balanced and DLAA. Presets M and L, introduced with DLSS 4.5, may look better in Performance and Ultra Performance on RTX 40 and 50 series cards. Older RTX cards pay more for the newer presets, so they usually stay on K. The NVIDIA App's recommended setting is a sensible default, the on-screen indicator tells you what is truly running, and every change can be reversed. If something looks wrong, test a different preset in a scene you know, compare frame rate and picture, and keep what works. Revisit your choice after significant updates, and treat any guide, including this one, as a snapshot that may need refreshing when NVIDIA changes its recommendations. Spend most of your time playing, not tuning.
Why this guide hedges some details
Several facts about presets L and M come from press coverage and independent testing, not from a complete official chart, and sources do not agree on every detail, such as exactly which mode each preset is tuned for. This guide therefore says "reported" or "testers found" where certainty is limited. The ideas that do not change are the useful ones: presets pick AI models, the app shows what is running, newer models cost more on older cards, and you can always test and revert.
A one-page checklist
- Know your card: RTX 20 and 30 owners start with K; RTX 40 and 50 owners can test newer presets.
- Know your mode: Performance and Ultra Performance gain most from newer models.
- Turn on the DLSS indicator to see what is really running.
- Change one thing at a time and restart the game.
- Compare frame rate and picture in the same scene.
- Keep notes, and revisit after major updates.
Mistakes to avoid
Changing the mode and the preset together
Change one at a time. If you change both, you will not know which caused a difference.
Trusting the label, not the indicator
A menu may say "Latest" while the game still uses an older model. Use the on-screen indicator.
Copying someone else's settings blindly
A guide written for a different card, resolution or game may not suit you. Use it as a starting point and test.
Forgetting to restart the game
Many overrides apply only when a game starts. Restart after every change.
Short glossary for this article
- Preset: a lettered setting that selects a DLSS AI model.
- Mode: the quality level that sets the internal resolution.
- Override: a driver-level setting that replaces what a game chooses.
- Indicator: an on-screen display showing the active DLSS version and preset.
- Transformer model: the newer type of AI model used in DLSS 4 and later.
- CNN model: the older type of model used before DLSS 4.
Frequently asked questions about DLSS presets
What is a DLSS preset?
A DLSS preset is a lettered setting that selects which AI model DLSS uses to rebuild the picture. The mode, such as Quality or Performance, sets the internal resolution, while the preset sets the model. Different presets trade image stability, sharpness and performance in different ways.
Which DLSS preset is best?
There is no single best preset. Preset K is the safe, widely tested choice for most modes and most cards. Presets M and L, from DLSS 4.5, may look better in Performance and Ultra Performance on RTX 40 and 50 cards. Test in your own game and keep the one you prefer.
Is preset M better than preset K?
Often in low-resolution modes on newer cards, according to independent testing, but not everywhere. Preset M may cost slightly more performance, and on RTX 20 and 30 cards it can cost much more. In Quality mode the difference is smaller. Compare both in a scene you know, and watch the frame rate.
Should I use preset L or M for Performance mode?
Testers have generally recommended M for Performance mode and L for Ultra Performance. NVIDIA's app may select between them for you under its recommended setting. If you are unsure, try both for a few minutes each and keep the one that looks cleaner without hurting your frame rate.
Will a newer preset reduce my FPS?
Possibly. NVIDIA describes the cost on RTX 40 and 50 cards as small, and independent tests found a few percent in many games, while older cards lost more. If the frame rate falls too far, move to the next faster DLSS mode or go back to preset K.
Do I need to change presets at all?
No. Many players never touch them, because games and the NVIDIA App choose sensible defaults. Change a preset only if you see ghosting, shimmering or softness you dislike, or if you want to test a newer model in Performance mode. The change is easy to reverse.