HelixSR mod enables DLSS 3.7 on AMD hardware

The HelixSR mod allows the use of NVIDIA's DLSS 3.7 technology on AMD-based hardware, including devices like the ROG Ally X and Steam Deck. This is significant because DLSS has traditionally been exclusive to NVIDIA graphics cards.

Only DirectX 12 games are affected

The mod only works with games that use DirectX 12, a graphics API that allows for more efficient rendering and performance on modern hardware. This limits its compatibility to a subset of available titles.

DLSS has been a key selling point for NVIDIA

For years, DLSS has been one of the main commercial advantages of NVIDIA's GeForce RTX graphics cards. It allows games to run more efficiently by using AI to upscale lower-resolution images.

HelixSR uses FSR compatibility to enable DLSS

The mod works by making games believe they are using AMD's FSR 3.1 technology, which allows the DLSS image reconstruction process to be used instead. This clever trick bypasses the need for actual NVIDIA hardware.

How upscaling technologies work

Upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR work by calculating a game in a lower resolution, such as 720p, and then reconstructing the image to a higher resolution like 1080p while maintaining visual quality.

Performance improvements on portable consoles

On devices like the ROG Ally X, HelixSR has shown performance improvements over AMD's FSR 4. One test showed the mod achieved a 7-millisecond upscaling time compared to 11 milliseconds with FSR 4, which can impact fluidity on portable consoles.

Visual quality is still debated

While performance is better with HelixSR, the visual quality compared to FSR 4 is still under discussion. In some tests, the image quality did not appear optimal, though this may improve with further development.

Mod requires additional setup

The mod only works with DirectX 12 games and may require an additional tool called OptiScaler for titles that do not include FSR 3.1 support. This means the setup process is more involved than simply adjusting graphics settings.

Irony in the development

It is ironic that FSR 4 is expected to be available on devices like the Xbox Ally X, yet it is a modder who has provided AMD users with their first access to DLSS technology. The future compatibility of HelixSR remains uncertain.