How Upscaling Multipliers Work (and Why They’re Not the Pixel Math)
Pure pixel math says rendering at 50% linear resolution should be a ~3.4× gain (1 ÷ 0.5²); the real-world Performance-mode multiplier is ~2.05×. The difference is reconstruction cost, upscaler pass overhead, and engine work that doesn’t scale with pixels. Our multipliers are calibrated against measured upscaler benchmarks, not theory.
- Quality (67%, ×1.42): the image-quality default — visually native for most players at 1440p+.
- Performance (50%, ×2.05): the 4K sweet spot; transformer DLSS 4 holds thin detail far better here.
- Ultra Performance (33%, ×2.55): 4K-on-a-3060-class territory; softness is obvious in motion.
- FSR 3.1 trails DLSS slightly in motion stability at lower modes but the FPS math is identical.
Pro tip: start at Quality and only step down if your FPS target is still missed — each rung down costs image quality that no settings toggle can buy back.