As Nvidia Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) arrived many years after Fallout 4, the game understandably lacks the feature, or any resolution upscaling methods for that matter. However, with no sign of DLSS support on the horizon, despite recent news of a PC patch, modders have taken matters into their own hands and the results get a firm thumbs up.
Given that Fallout 4 released almost ten years ago, you don’t need a powerful graphics card to run it. That said, the addition of Nvidia DLSS could be one of the best Fallout 4 mods for those with capable GPUs.
Footage captured by YouTube channel MxBenchmarkPC highlights the benefits upscaling brings to Fallout 4, specifically DLSS 3.7 which launched earlier this year. While this mod lacks DLSS Frame Generation, the benefits are plain to see both in terms of performance and fidelity.
As MxBenchmarkPC wanders through Sanctuary Hills, the temporal stability of the game is greatly improved using DLSS or DLAA compared to its stock TAA anti-aliasing method. Staring at the wooden bridge that leads to the Red Rocket truck stop, shimmering is noticeably lessened to the point of near-elimination with Nvidia’s technology.
Further improving the look of Fallout 4, perhaps somewhat subjectively, finer elements like tree branches look thinner and thus far more natural using DLSS. Even DLAA can’t seem to do away with the blocky, fake-looking foliage that’s all too apparent with TAA.
What is objectively better with DLSS, though, is performance. Using a GeForce RTX 3060 and Core i7 10700F, running Fallout 4 at Ultra settings at a 1440p resolution, MxBenchmark’s frame rates are noticeably improved versus TAA in the range of 20fps. Naturally, were we to play the game using a more powerful graphics card, like the GeForce RTX 4090, we would probably see even higher frame rates.
The Fallout 4 next-gen update is due to arrive next week, which could break compatibility with this DLSS mod. If you want to try the mod for yourself, there are installation instructions included in the video description of MxBenchmarkPC’s video.
If you’re raring to jump back into the Commonwealth, but don’t meet the Fallout 4 system requirements, we’ve got you covered. Give our best graphics cards list a look, as every GPU on there is more than capable of setting you on your way to wander the wasteland.