Updated
Updated · Tom's Hardware · Aug 28
Modder Ports DLSS 5 to RTX 4000 GPUs, Bypassing Blackwell-Only CUDA Code
Updated
Updated · Tom's Hardware · Aug 28

Modder Ports DLSS 5 to RTX 4000 GPUs, Bypassing Blackwell-Only CUDA Code

3 articles · Updated · Tom's Hardware · Aug 28

Summary

  • Tom's Hardware verified that modder Uncle Burrito got leaked DLSS 5 code running on an RTX 4080, extending Nvidia's neural rendering tech beyond its apparent RTX 5000-series limit.
  • The patch works by replacing CUDA binaries in the NBA 2K27-derived nvngx_dlssnr.dll that Blackwell GPUs could read but Ada Lovelace cards could not, while keeping the FP8-based AI model intact.
  • RenoDX Discord developers are building additional versions of the patch after earlier mods brought the same early DLSS 5 build into Control and other games from the leaked file.
  • Official support remains unclear: Nvidia may still keep DLSS 5 limited to newer cards, and Ampere-era RTX 3000 GPUs face a bigger hurdle because they lack native FP8 support.

Insights

Does this leaked DLSS 5 mod reveal a future where AI upscaling destroys artistic intent and turns beloved games into unwanted AI slop?
Will Nvidia artificially restrict its upcoming DLSS 5 to new GPUs despite modders proving the AI tech works perfectly on older hardware?