Before you start reading this article, please note that only the following NVidia Graphics Cards (Known here on in as GPU's) support this technology:
• Geoforce GTX 10 Series Notebooks
• Geoforce GTX 1060
• Geoforce GTX 980 TI
• Geoforce GTX 980
• GeForce GTX 970
• GeForce GTX 960 (OEM)
• GeForce GTX 960
• GeForce GTX 960 M
• GeForce GTX 950 (OEM)
• GeForce GTX 950
• GeForce GTX 780 TI
• GeForce GTX 780
• GeForce GTX 770
• GeForce GTX 760 TI (OEM)
• GeForce GTX 760
• GeForce GTX 750 TI
• GeForce GTX 750
• GeForce GTX 550 TI
• GeForce GTX 650 TI BOOST
• GeForce GTX 650 TI
• GeForce GTX 650
• GeForce GTX 660
• GeForce GTX 560
• GeForce GTX 465
• GeForce GTX 590
• GeForce GTX 680
• GeForce GTX 670
• GeForce GTX 690
• GeForce GTX 660 TI
• GeForce GTX 570
• GeForce GTX 560 TI
• GeForce GTX 580
• GeForce GTS 450
• GeForce GTX 480
• GeForce GTX 470
Now it is my belief that this NVidia technology should only be used with GPU's in the 900 and up series as it is very demanding.
Dynamic Super Resolution is a very exciting technology developed by NVidia that allows you to view your games in a higher resolution than your screen allows for (usually 1920x1080). It does this by instructing the GPU unit to produce an image up to 4K in resolution and then it instructs the GPU to shrink the image back down to fit your screen. This allows for near 4K screen resolutions without the large investment in a 4K monitor. It works with any game that allows for higher than 1920x1080 screen resolutions. Dynamic super resolution supports the following resolutions:
• 1.20 X The native resolution of your monitor
• 1.50 X The native resolution of your monitor
• 1.78 X The native resolution of your monitor
• 2.00 X The native resolution of your monitor
• 2.25 X The native resolution of your monitor
• 3.00 X The native resolution of your monitor
• 4.00 X The native resolution of your monitor
The higher the resolution the more demand placed upon the GPU, so it’s a choice of preference based upon your hardware. Now older, more brutal methods of forcing a non native resolution on monitors have been known to damage them, however after using this technology myself and performing some research I have yet to hear of this technology damaging monitors, however remember to always consult the manufacturer of your monitor before using this technology. In the past this was known as, 'Downsampling,' or 'supersampling,' however NVidia have made the process both easier and safer by implementing multiple technologies to make this feature possible.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS FEATURE CAN BE TURNED ON AND OFF SIMPLY USING THE, 'GEOFORCE EXPERIENCE,' HOWEVER I USE THE NVIDIA CONTROL PANEL AND USE INDIVIDUAL GAME INGAME SETTINGS TO TURN THE FEATURE ON OR OFF. THIS ALLOWS FOR GREATER CONTROL AND THE TUTORIAL LATER ON IN THE ARTICLE WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS METHOD.
Enabling dynamic super resolution will improve every visual element of your game. Textures appear more detailed and crisp. One effect I have noticed is anti-aliasing is much improved. In a large amount of games I have even turned off the games built in anti-aliasing (AA) as it hasn’t been needed and as AA is demanding and can affect FPS, then this has been a welcome advantage.
In order to explain how dynamic super resolution technology works the next section has been copied from the NVidia website http://www.geforce.co.uk/hardware/technology/dsr/technology
In Dark Souls II's opening scene, players find themselves surrounded by swaying grass. At 1920x1080, the grass flickers and scintillates heavily as it sways, and appears to be missing detail, as highlighted by our screen capture:
Examining the pixels in detail reveals that the grass is displayed in such a manner because the 1920x1080 resolution lacks a sufficient number of sample points for the grass' fine detail:
At 3840x2160 (4K), the number of sample points is multiplied by 4, enabling the game to capture and render more detail on each blade of grass.
Finally, DSR applies a custom-made 13-tap Gaussian filter as the 4K image is scaled back down to 1920x1080 for display on the monitor:
The DSR process significantly improves image quality, and with the addition of the 13-tap Gaussian filter aliasing artefacts experienced with traditional downsampling are greatly reduced or entirely eliminated, further improving image quality.
Now that I've discussed the technology and hopefully I've done so clearly and adequately enough for you I will move onto the tutorial on how to enable the technology and use it. If you prefer to follow a video then click this link to be directed to a YouTube video I created on the subject. Also please subscribe, comment and give a like on my YouTube channel.
TUTORIAL
Follow the below steps to enable Dynamic Super Resolution on your PC.
1. Go to, “Start,” or the windows icon at the bottom left of the screen and click on it. Then click on, “All Apps,” and scroll down to, “Windows System.” Then click on the icon named, “Control Panel.” Windows 8 users will find it in the, “System,” section of your apps list and Windows 7 users and Windows Vista simply type, “Control,” into the, “Search,” function in the “Start Menu,” and click on the tile, “Control Panel,” when it appears.
2. In the Control Panel Menu click on the icon named, “Hardware and Sound.”
3. From this menu continue to click on the icon named, “NVIDIA Control Panel.”
4. When in the Nvidia Control Panel window many options and sub categories are available, but you can safely ignore nearly all of them for the purpose of this tutorial. Make sure that you are in the, “Manage 3D Settings,” window by clicking on the side tab as shown below:
5. In the main window there will be an option entitled, “DSR – Factors.” This allows you to choose what multiple factors of your monitors native resolution you wish your GPU to render at and then down sample for your monitor. Enable all of the options by clicking on the tab and then clicking on all of the tick boxes as shown below:
6. The next option that needs to be given though is the tab below entitled, “DSR – Smoothness.” This allows the GPU to apply either a sharp or smooth effect to the finished image that will end up being displayed on your monitor. Experimenting with this is very much a personal preference. I have left it at the default value of 33% as I find it produces the highest fidelity and quality image possible. Feel free to alter this to your preference.
7. To finalize the selection simply click on, “Apply,” found at the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
8. In order to enjoy up to 4K quality rendered resolutions simply boot up your PC game of choice and in the, “Video,” or, “Graphics,” options select the resolution you want which wouldn’t have earlier been available. The screenshots below show Batman Arkham Asylum screen resolution options and the difference between 1920 X 1080 and 3840 X 2160 (4K):
To view a Batman Arkham Asylum video that was recorded using this technology then please click the link below:
The above screenshots may provide it difficult to notice any significant difference, however whilst playing and studying a moving image then the difference becomes extremely apparent. Anyone who can utilize this technology I would strongly advise you to do so. For a video tutorial on this topic then please visit my YouTube video on the topic here:
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