NVIDIA’s DLSS 5 has been leaked, and modders produced hideous faces and awful performance drops in its wake
The article reports claims that a leaked version of Nvidia’s purported DLSS 5 technology has been tested by modders, producing highly realistic but widely criticised character faces and serious performance problems. It matters because the technology is presented as a major graphics feature, yet the reported results have prompted ridicule and concern about its visual quality and hardware demands.
Examples cited include altered appearances for characters from Control, Final Fantasy VII and Grand Theft Auto VI-related footage. The article says modders have complained of performance reductions of at least 50%, including on high-end hardware, although it notes that the author has not independently tested these claims.
- Leaked DLSS 5 reportedly produces unsettling character faces.
- Modders claim performance can fall by at least 50%.
- The reported results have attracted widespread mockery.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
If the reported results reflect an early or leaked build, DLSS 5 could still offer developers a way to create more detailed, realistic visuals, and testing by modders may help identify problems before release. A feature that demands substantial computing power might also be worthwhile if its image quality and performance improve through optimisation and give players a meaningful choice.
The case against
The reported distortions to familiar characters and performance losses of at least 50% raise reasonable concerns that DLSS 5 could trade artistic intent and smooth gameplay for a kind of realism many players do not want. If those costs persist even on high-end hardware, the feature may be impractical, and the unverified nature of the claims makes clear independent testing important before its benefits are accepted.