NVIDIA DLSS 4.5: The Path Tracing Revolution
Dillip Chowdary • Mar 10, 2026
At GDC 2026, NVIDIA has unveiled DLSS 4.5, a foundational update to its Deep Learning Super Sampling technology that moves beyond frame generation into Generative Geometry Synthesis. This technology was showcased using live builds of CD Projekt Red's upcoming The Witcher 4.
Mega Geometry: Infinite Detail
The standout technical feature is the Mega Geometry Foliage System. Unlike traditional LOD (Level of Detail) techniques that use pre-baked low-poly assets for distance rendering, Mega Geometry uses AI to procedurally generate high-fidelity foliage and environment details in real-time. This eliminates "pop-in" and allows for virtually infinite draw distances without taxing the VRAM.
Benchmarks: Path Tracing at 4K
Using an NVIDIA RTX 5090 (Blackwell), DLSS 4.5 demonstrated 4K Path Tracing at a stable 120 FPS in dense forest environments. Key metrics include:
- Micro-Polygon Reconstruction: Improving texture clarity by 4x over DLSS 3.5.
- Temporal Denoising 2.0: Eliminating the "shimmering" artifacts typically seen in ray-traced reflections.
- Input Latency: Reflex 3.0 integration reducing end-to-end lag to under 8ms.