Technology
Nvidia launches DLSS 5 with NBA 2K27, but tech demands high-end GPU power
The AI upscaling tech arrives this week as an exclusive on RTX 50-series graphics cards, though it comes with steep performance costs.
The Verge
Nvidia is rolling out DLSS 5 this week, an AI-powered upscaling and image enhancement tool that's been controversial since its March announcement. The feature will debut on RTX 50-series desktop and laptop GPUs, as well as through GeForce Now cloud gaming. Currently, the only game shipping with it at launch is NBA 2K27, which releases September 3rd at 9PM PT on PC.
What is DLSS 5?#
Nvidia describes DLSS 5 as its biggest advance in graphics technology since ray tracing arrived in 2018. The tech leverages AI to analyze game content and generate enhancements that improve visual detail and realism. Unlike previous upscaling methods, DLSS 5 uses machine learning to intelligently add detail to games—a capability that sparked both excitement and concern when the company first showed off the feature.
The controversy over early demos#
Initial examples from Nvidia's March reveal drew heavy criticism and mockery on social media. Some demonstrations showed characters being altered dramatically—labeled as "yassification" in one Resident Evil Requiem example. Games that were announced to support DLSS 5, including Resident Evil Requiem, EA Sports FC, Starfield, and Hogwarts Legacy, don't actually include the feature yet. Nvidia declined to clarify when or if those titles will add support.
NBA 2K27's approach looks different#
In early showings of NBA 2K27, DLSS 5's adjustments appear more subtle than the polarizing initial demonstrations. The enhancements to player models, shadows, and textures make characters look more photorealistic rather than cartoonishly altered. Nvidia is emphasizing that developers have granular control over DLSS 5's intensity, with sliders to adjust exactly which elements—whether faces, food, foliage, or silverware—receive enhancement.
Performance requirements are steep#
Despite claims that even a mid-range RTX 5060 can run NBA 2K27 at 1080p with DLSS 5 enabled, the fine print reveals challenges. Nvidia's estimate shows a 50–60 percent performance penalty from activating the tech. That hypothetical RTX 5060 setup would require one of the fastest CPUs available and 6x frame generation (a feature that produces only one real frame for every six displayed). Nvidia's original DLSS 5 demonstrations required dual RTX 5090 cards. Independent testing with an unofficial mod showed performance can cut in half when applied to games like .
