Why does ray tracing look noisy in the first place?
To understand Ray Reconstruction, you first need to understand the problem it solves. This section explains it step by step in everyday words.
How ray tracing makes a picture
Ray tracing simulates light. For each pixel, the card sends out imaginary rays that bounce around the scene and collect colour and brightness from the surfaces they hit. If you could send thousands of rays per pixel, the result would be smooth and accurate. Real-time games cannot afford that, because the picture must be ready in a few milliseconds.
Why only a few rays are used
A modern game might trace one or two rays for each pixel on screen. That is far too few to get a clean answer, so the raw image looks grainy, like a photograph taken in a dark room with a high sensitivity setting.
What noise looks like
Noise appears as speckles, flickering shadows, patchy reflections and light that crawls across surfaces. It is most visible in dim areas, on shiny floors and in glass.
The traditional fix: denoisers
To hide the noise, games use denoisers, which are filters that blur and combine information across pixels and across frames until the picture looks smooth. Most games use several of them, one for reflections, one for shadows and one for global lighting, each tuned by hand.
The trade-offs of hand-tuned denoisers
Denoisers work, but they have costs. They can blur fine detail, leave smeared trails behind moving lights, and react slowly when lighting changes, so a shadow seems to fade in after you open a door. They also run before upscaling, so errors can be magnified by DLSS afterwards. Our overview of ray tracing versus path tracing explains why the problem grows as lighting gets more realistic.
What is DLSS Ray Reconstruction?
Ray Reconstruction is NVIDIA's AI answer to the noise problem.
One AI model instead of many filters
Instead of running several separate denoisers, Ray Reconstruction uses one trained AI model that cleans the noisy ray-traced image and does the upscaling work together. Because it sees more information about the scene, including motion, depth and surface details, it can make better decisions about which parts of the noise to remove and which parts are real detail.
Introduced with DLSS 3.5
NVIDIA introduced Ray Reconstruction in 2023 with DLSS 3.5, and the early showcase games included Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2. Since then, it has been available to all RTX owners.
The DLSS 4 upgrade
With DLSS 4 in 2025, NVIDIA moved Ray Reconstruction to a transformer-based model, which it says improves stability and detail compared with the earlier design. Our guide to the transformer and CNN models explains what that change means.
What it changes in the picture
In supported games, players generally see sharper reflections, better-defined shadows, faster-reacting lighting and less smearing behind moving objects. Fine details, such as text in reflections, can come through more clearly.
Which cards and games support it?
Support depends on both the hardware and the game.
Hardware
Ray Reconstruction runs on all RTX graphics cards, including the RTX 20, 30, 40 and 50 series. It is not exclusive to the newest cards, which is good news for older RTX owners. GTX cards cannot use it, as the page on GTX versus RTX explains.
Games
A game must integrate Ray Reconstruction. Not every ray-traced game does. Well-known supporters have included Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2, and the list has grown as more developers adopt it. NVIDIA maintains a current list of supported games, so check that list or the game's settings menu before you rely on the feature. The site's article on top DLSS 4 and ray tracing games highlights several titles.
How to tell if a game supports it
Look in the graphics menu for an option called Ray Reconstruction, or listed under DLSS. Some games enable it automatically when you pick a ray-tracing preset such as path tracing.
What if your favourite game does not offer it?
You cannot add it to a game that lacks the feature. Upscaling and frame generation may still be available, so check those. The article on DLSS 4 and the whole family lists what each feature needs.
How to turn it on
The steps are short, and the result is easy to test.
In the game menu
Open the graphics settings, and make sure DLSS Super Resolution is enabled. Then look for Ray Reconstruction, and switch it on. Some games bundle it with their path tracing or ray tracing presets, in which case you may only need to choose the preset.
With the NVIDIA App
The NVIDIA App can set the model preset used for Ray Reconstruction in supported games. It lives with the other DLSS overrides under Graphics, Program settings and Driver settings. Choose the latest model, restart the game and check the on-screen indicator. The guide to the NVIDIA App shows the screens.
If the option is greyed out
The most common causes are DLSS Super Resolution being off, a game that does not support the feature, or a card or driver that is out of date. Update your driver and check the game's settings page.
What it costs in performance
Cleaner lighting needs more calculation, so there is a cost.
The usual picture
NVIDIA and independent testers have generally reported a small to moderate performance cost compared with the game's own denoisers, which varies by game and card. In some cases, the cost is offset by the cleaner image, which lets players use a faster DLSS mode without the softness they would otherwise see.
How to find your own answer
Run a ray-traced scene with Ray Reconstruction off, then on, and compare the average frame rate and the slowest frames. Also compare the picture. If the lighting is clearly better and the frame rate loss is small, keep it on.
Ray Reconstruction and path tracing
Path tracing is the most demanding lighting method, and it gains the most from a good denoiser. Several path-traced games ship with Ray Reconstruction as a core part of their experience. The site's guide to Resident Evil Requiem and path tracing shows how a modern game approaches the choice.
A closer look at what Ray Reconstruction sees
The AI model has more information than a typical denoiser, which explains its better decisions.
The inputs it receives
Alongside the noisy ray-traced image, the model receives motion vectors that show how objects moved, depth information that shows how far each surface is, and surface details such as the direction a surface faces. It also uses the result from previous frames. These extra clues let it tell the difference between noise, which should be removed, and real detail, which should be kept.
Why this matters for reflections
A reflection of a moving object is hard for a traditional denoiser, because the reflected image moves differently from the surface. An AI model with motion data can follow it more accurately.
What it does not receive
It does not know the game's intentions or art style. It only sees the data the game gives it, so games with poor motion data can still show artefacts. When a problem appears, the game's integration is as likely a cause as the model.
Common visual changes you may notice
When you turn Ray Reconstruction on, a handful of changes are typical.
Sharper reflections
Reflections on water, glass and polished floors look clearer, with less blur. Fine details such as signs and edges are easier to read.
Better shadows
Shadows have crisper edges and respond faster to changes. A moving light no longer leaves a long, smeared trail.
Cleaner indirect lighting
Dim areas lit by bounced light look smoother, with less crawling noise. This improves the feel of interiors and night scenes.
Possible downsides
Occasionally, the AI can produce slight shimmering on thin lines or a different overall mood than the game's own look. Some players prefer the older appearance in particular scenes. Compare, and choose your own.
Which settings to pair with it
Ray Reconstruction works best as part of a sensible set of choices.
Upscaling mode
Because Ray Reconstruction cleans the image as it upscales, it can make lower modes look better than before. Balanced or Performance with Ray Reconstruction often looks cleaner than the same mode with a traditional denoiser. The guide to DLSS quality modes explains the modes.
Presets and models
Choose the latest transformer model for Ray Reconstruction if your card has the performance to spare. The DLSS presets guide explains the lettered choices.
Frame generation
Frame generation can sit on top of Ray Reconstruction, but it needs a healthy base frame rate. If you enable all three features, test the feel of the controls. The Multi Frame Generation guide explains why.
Video memory
Ray tracing and path tracing use plenty of video memory, and frame generation adds more. If you stutter after enabling several features, lower texture quality first. See how much VRAM you need.
A test you can run in fifteen minutes
Judge the feature on your own screen.
- Choose a scene with shiny surfaces, such as a wet street or glass building.
- Set the same DLSS mode for each test.
- Take notes with Ray Reconstruction off, then on.
- Compare reflections, shadow edges and moving lights.
- Compare the frame rate and the slowest frames.
What to decide
If the picture is clearly cleaner and the frame rate is acceptable, keep it on. If you cannot see a difference, leave it off for the extra frames. If you prefer the older look, that is a valid choice.
Four example players
These are illustrations, not test results.
The path tracing fan
This player has a high-end card and wants the most realistic lighting. Ray Reconstruction is essential for them, because path tracing without a strong denoiser looks grainy. They accept the cost and use Performance mode at 4K to compensate.
The mid-range player
This player has a mid-range card and a 1440p monitor. They test Ray Reconstruction in Cyberpunk-style games and find a small cost. They keep it on, and use Balanced mode to regain frames.
The older-card owner
This player owns an RTX 3070. Ray Reconstruction works, but the cost is higher on their card. They test it in two games and keep it on in one and off in the other, depending on how the frame rate holds.
The competitive player
This player rarely uses ray tracing, so Ray Reconstruction is irrelevant. They put their effort into frame rate and low delay.
What the players share
Each tested rather than assumed, and each treated Ray Reconstruction as an optional quality feature.
Troubleshooting table
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Option missing | Game does not support it | Check NVIDIA's supported list |
| Option greyed out | Super Resolution off, or old driver | Turn on DLSS, update the driver |
| Picture looks smeary | Wrong model or mode | Try the latest model or a higher mode |
| Shimmering on thin lines | Low internal resolution | Use a higher DLSS mode |
| Large frame rate drop | Older card or heavy scene | Use a faster upscaling mode, or turn it off |
How to use it
Change one setting at a time, restart the game after override changes, and note what you tried.
How Ray Reconstruction compares with the older approach
Seeing the two methods side by side clarifies what you gain and what you give up.
| Question | Traditional denoisers | Ray Reconstruction |
|---|---|---|
| Who builds it | The game's developers, by hand | NVIDIA, as a trained AI model |
| How many filters | Several, one per effect | One model for the whole image |
| Works with upscaling | Runs before upscaling | Cleans and upscales together |
| Typical weakness | Blur, trails, slow reaction | Occasional shimmer, extra cost |
| Hardware needed | Any ray tracing card | An RTX card with Tensor cores |
Reading the comparison
Neither method is perfect. Hand-built denoisers are lighter and give developers full artistic control. Ray Reconstruction usually gives cleaner, more responsive lighting at a moderate cost. Developers choose which to offer, and many give you both so that you can switch.
Why developers like having a choice
A game's art direction may rely on a particular look, and some scenes suit one method better than the other. Offering a toggle respects both the developer's intent and the player's preference.
Ray Reconstruction on different RTX generations
All RTX cards support the feature, but they do not all handle it equally.
RTX 20 and 30 series
These cards run Ray Reconstruction, and the first-generation transformer version is usually the better fit than heavier newer models. Expect a larger performance cost than on newer cards, and test your games.
RTX 40 series
These cards handle the transformer model comfortably. They also support frame generation, which can help recover frame rate in path-traced games.
RTX 50 series
These cards have the newest Tensor cores and can use the latest models and Multi Frame Generation. They are the best match for demanding path-traced games. The guide to the RTX 50 series places each card in the range.
Laptops
Laptop RTX chips follow the same pattern, with lower power limits. Ray-traced games are demanding, so laptop owners often rely on Balanced or Performance modes to keep temperatures in check.
What makes a game integrate Ray Reconstruction well
Integration quality varies, and it explains why the same feature looks excellent in one game and ordinary in another.
Good motion data
The model depends on accurate motion vectors. Games that provide them for every object, including particles and reflections, get better results.
Separate handling of interface elements
Text and icons should stay out of the AI's reach. When a game draws them separately, they stay crisp. When it does not, they may blur or shimmer.
Sensible default settings
Games that choose the right preset for each mode save players from tweaking. Others leave it to you, and the NVIDIA App override becomes more useful.
How to judge integration quickly
Walk through a scene with fast camera turns and moving lights. If reflections and shadows follow smoothly without smearing, the integration is good.
Using Ray Reconstruction responsibly with limited hardware
Not everyone owns a top-end card, and good habits help in every case.
Prioritise the lighting that matters
Turn on ray-traced reflections and global illumination first, because they are the most visible effects. Reduce expensive extras that you rarely notice.
Lower the resolution before the lighting quality
If you must save frames, a faster DLSS mode usually costs less in perceived quality than dropping ray tracing entirely, particularly with a newer preset.
Keep an eye on temperatures
Ray-traced games work the card hard. Check temperatures and fan noise during a long session. The guide to thermal and power limits explains how to read them.
A balanced approach
If a game is unplayable with all effects on, choose a compromise rather than giving up. A mix of ray-traced reflections, medium shadows and Balanced upscaling often looks excellent and runs well.
Accessibility and comfort notes
Some players are sensitive to flicker or smearing, and lighting artefacts can be tiring over long sessions.
If noise bothers you
Ray Reconstruction usually reduces visible noise, which many players find easier on the eyes. If shimmering bothers you, try a higher DLSS mode or a newer model.
If the picture feels too clean
Some players prefer a slightly grainy, filmic look. If the AI smoothing feels artificial, turn it off, or look for a film grain option in the game.
Take breaks and adjust brightness
No setting replaces comfortable viewing conditions. Adjust screen brightness to the room, and rest your eyes regularly.
A simple analogy for noise and denoising
Imagine you are trying to read a photograph that was printed with very few ink dots. Each dot is a ray of light, and with few dots the picture looks speckled. A traditional denoiser is like squinting: it blends nearby dots so that the speckles fade, but fine writing blurs along with them. Ray Reconstruction is like a reader who has seen millions of similar photographs. They look at the speckled print, recognise what the scene probably contains, and fill in sharp detail where the evidence supports it.
Where the analogy helps
It explains why the AI can recover text in a reflection that a blur would erase. It also explains why mistakes happen: if the evidence is thin, the reader may guess wrongly, and a small shimmer appears.
Where the analogy ends
The model is not magic. It still depends on the game supplying good data, and it cannot invent detail that no ray ever sampled. Treat it as a very good guesser, not a mind reader.
How to compare with screenshots and video
A careful comparison gives you evidence for your own settings.
Capturing screenshots
Stand still in a scene with reflections and shadows. Take one screenshot with the feature off and one with it on, using the same position and the same mode. Use the game's own screenshot tool or the NVIDIA overlay, so that the files are uncompressed.
Capturing motion
Record a short clip while you turn the camera and walk past shiny surfaces. Look for trails behind moving lights and for lag when lighting changes. Slow the clip down to see the details.
Compare in a neutral viewer
Open the screenshots side by side on your monitor, and zoom to the same region. Look at reflection edges, text and fine patterns. Notes beat memory, so write down what you see.
What to conclude
If the improvement is obvious in both stills and motion, keep the feature on. If you only see differences when you zoom into a still, you may not need it. The decision is personal.
Reading supported-game lists
NVIDIA and developers publish lists of supported games, and a few habits help you read them.
Check the date
Lists change as games receive updates. A list from a year ago may be missing newer titles, and a game may have changed its support through a patch.
Check what the entry says
A listing might mention Ray Reconstruction, or only DLSS Super Resolution. Make sure the specific feature appears. The article on DLSS 4 and the whole family shows which features are separate.
Confirm in the game itself
The game's settings menu is the final proof. If the option is present, the feature is available. If it is absent, even a stale list entry cannot help.
When a game uses another name
Some games label the feature differently, or fold it into a path tracing preset. If you cannot find it, look at the game's patch notes or community guides.
When not to use Ray Reconstruction
It is a strong feature, but not a universal one.
When the frame rate is already tight
If a game barely holds your target frame rate, the extra cost may push it below. Consider a faster upscaling mode instead of dropping the feature.
When you dislike the look
Some players prefer the game's original lighting. If you do, switch it off without guilt.
When you play with ray tracing off
If the game has no ray tracing active, Ray Reconstruction has nothing to clean. Leave it out.
When a game's integration is poor
If you see more artefacts than before, the integration may be rough. A future patch might fix it, so revisit after updates.
Myths about Ray Reconstruction
Myth: it is only for the RTX 50 series
It runs on all RTX cards. Only Multi Frame Generation is exclusive to the RTX 50 series.
Myth: it adds ray tracing
It does not. It cleans up ray tracing that the game already uses. If a game has no ray tracing, there is nothing to reconstruct.
Myth: it always looks better
It usually does, but not in every scene or every game. Test, and trust your eyes.
Summary: what to remember
Ray tracing is noisy because games trace very few rays per pixel, and the noise must be cleaned before you see it. Traditional denoisers do the job with several hand-tuned filters, at the cost of blur and smearing. DLSS Ray Reconstruction replaces them with one AI model that sees more information and usually produces clearer reflections, crisper shadows and lighting that reacts faster. It runs on every RTX card, it needs Super Resolution switched on and a game that supports it, and it costs some performance that varies by card and scene. The transformer-based version introduced with DLSS 4 improved it further. Test the feature in a scene you know, compare both picture and frame rate, and keep it on if the lighting looks better and the game still plays smoothly. If it does not suit a particular game, switch it off and move on. The feature is a tool, and the best setting is the one you enjoy. If you are shopping for a card with ray-traced games in mind, remember that every RTX model supports Ray Reconstruction, so the choice between cards should rest on performance, memory and budget, not on this feature alone. Revisit your settings after major driver or game updates, because the quality and the cost of the feature can change as NVIDIA and developers refine their work.
Short glossary for this article
- Denoiser: a filter that removes noise from a ray-traced image.
- Ray tracing: a lighting method that simulates light rays.
- Path tracing: a fuller version of ray tracing with many light bounces.
- Ray Reconstruction: DLSS's AI denoiser and upscaler for ray-traced lighting.
- Motion vectors: data that describes how objects move between frames.
- Transformer model: the newer type of AI model used in DLSS 4.
Frequently asked questions about Ray Reconstruction
What does DLSS Ray Reconstruction do?
It uses an AI model to clean the noise from ray-traced lighting, replacing the separate hand-tuned denoisers that games normally use. The result is typically sharper reflections, clearer shadows and less smearing. It works together with DLSS Super Resolution, which means the game must have DLSS upscaling enabled to use it.
Does Ray Reconstruction work on RTX 30 series cards?
Yes. It runs on all RTX cards, including the RTX 20, 30, 40 and 50 series. The newest transformer-based version works on older cards too, though it may cost them more performance. Frame generation features are separate, and those have their own hardware requirements.
Does Ray Reconstruction lower FPS?
It usually costs a small to moderate amount of performance compared with a game's own denoisers, and the figure depends on the game and the card. Many players accept the cost for the cleaner picture. You can measure the difference yourself by comparing frame rates with it on and off.
Which games support Ray Reconstruction?
Well-known supporters include Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2, and the list has grown as developers adopt it. Because the list changes, check NVIDIA's current supported-games page or look for a Ray Reconstruction option in the game's graphics menu before you plan around it.
Is Ray Reconstruction the same as DLSS upscaling?
No. Super Resolution upscales the picture, while Ray Reconstruction cleans up the noise in ray-traced lighting. The two work together, and Ray Reconstruction requires Super Resolution to be switched on. A game can offer upscaling without Ray Reconstruction, but not the other way around.
Should I always turn Ray Reconstruction on?
Usually, if your game supports it and you play with ray tracing or path tracing. Turn it off if you notice artefacts you dislike or a frame rate drop you cannot afford. Compare both options in a scene you know, and choose based on your own eyes and numbers.