Modders have unlocked a coveted NVIDIA feature on older graphics cards. DLSS frame generation now runs on GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs. Notably, NVIDIA had kept this feature exclusive to newer cards. It previously required the RTX 40 series or beyond.
Even better, the mod brings both variants to Ampere cards. This includes single and multi-frame generation together. Multi-frame generation inserts several AI-created frames between rendered ones. Consequently, it can boost frame rates substantially in supported games.
The mod itself is called DLSSG SM86. It works using just a DLL file and an INI file. The installation process remains remarkably simple overall. Users merely paste both files into a game’s directory.
The tool works right out of the box immediately. However, users can tweak some settings if they prefer. For instance, they can adjust the maximum generated frames. According to its GitHub page, the mod acts as a proxy. It redirects requests through an SM86-compatible layer instead.
Crucially, this workaround was impossible until quite recently. Original DLSS frame generation relied on specific hardware. That optical flow accelerator was exclusive to RTX 40 cards. Therefore, older Ampere cards simply could not run it.
However, NVIDIA changed its approach with DLSS 4. The company switched to an AI-powered optical flow model. This new model leans on a GPU’s Tensor cores instead. Because RTX 30 cards have Tensor cores, the mod became viable.
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A YouTuber demonstrated the feature working impressively. They ran it on a GeForce RTX 3080 card. The test used the demanding game Cyberpunk 2077. Frame rates increased in line with the interpolated frames.
However, one significant question still remains unanswered. The footage showed no clear indication of latency impact. Frame generation can sometimes increase input lag noticeably. Therefore, experts advise tempering expectations for now.
If latency stays reasonable, this could pressure NVIDIA. The company might face calls to enable it officially. For now, RTX 30 owners have an unofficial option. This development highlights the persistent creativity within the modding community. Ultimately, it gives older hardware fresh life amid rising GPU prices.
