DLSS Combining NVIDIA DLSS upscaling with AMD FSR Frame Generation delivers higher FPS in four of six RTX 4070 tests, but input latency and frame pacing complicate the results.
NVIDIA’s DLSS Frame Generation is a major selling point of its RTX 40-series GPUs. However, new gaming benchmarks suggest that GeForce RTX 4070 owners can sometimes achieve higher frame rates by switching to AMD’s competing technology while keeping NVIDIA’s DLSS upscaling enabled.
MakeUseOf tested this hybrid setup across six PC games using an RTX 4070, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, and 16GB of RAM. The combination delivered higher reported FPS than NVIDIA’s own frame generator in four games, including Marvel Rivals and Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered.
AMD made this combination possible by separating frame generation from upscaling in FSR 3.1. NVIDIA’s DLSS Quality mode handles image reconstruction, while AMD generates additional frames between those rendered by the game.
Biswas normally plays at 1440p, but the published benchmark data does not confirm the exact testing resolution, graphics presets, or ray tracing settings. That limits comparisons with other RTX 4070 benchmarks.
AMD FSR Wins Four Tests, but NVIDIA Leads in Two
The comparison measured performance with DLSS Quality upscaling enabled across all configurations.
| Game | DLSS Only | DLSS + NVIDIA FG | DLSS + AMD FSR FG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Rivals | 107 FPS | 174 FPS | 182 FPS |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered | 98 FPS | 130 FPS | 141 FPS |
| CONTROL Resonant | 89 FPS | 101 FPS | 97 FPS |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | 91 FPS | 118 FPS | 122 FPS |
| Final Fantasy XVI | 71 FPS | 93 FPS | 85 FPS |
| Monster Hunter Wilds | 87 FPS | 105 FPS | 112 FPS |
AMD’s largest advantage came in Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, where its frame generator delivered approximately 8.5% higher FPS. NVIDIA maintained its lead in CONTROL Resonant and Final Fantasy XVI, while the smaller differences in other titles would need repeated testing to establish their significance.
Why AMD Frame Generation Can Produce Higher FPS
NVIDIA’s frame generation uses dedicated Optical Flow Accelerator hardware and AI processing on RTX 40-series GPUs. AMD FSR 3.1 instead relies on a compute-based interpolation method that works across different graphics architectures.
Differences in processing overhead could explain why AMD occasionally produces higher FPS on an RTX 4070. However, the available tests do not isolate those costs, so the precise reason for each performance gap remains unconfirmed.
More importantly, generated frames increase visual smoothness without improving the game’s underlying input response at the same rate.
Biswas highlighted this limitation during testing:
FSR Frame Generation works really well, but you do need good base frame rates to compensate for the latency.
AMD similarly recommends approximately 60 FPS before enabling its frame generation technology.
Higher FPS Does Not Always Mean Smoother Gameplay
Average FPS only tells part of the performance story. Frame pacing, which measures how consistently frames reach the display, can make a game feel uneven even when its average frame rate is high.
Poor 1% low FPS results or inconsistent frame times may produce noticeable stuttering. Frame generation can also introduce visual artifacts, including ghosting around crosshairs, distorted HUD elements, and shimmering around fast-moving objects.
NVIDIA pairs its native frame generation with Reflex to reduce system latency. Hybrid configurations may not always preserve the same latency handling, depending on the game and implementation.
Without measured input latency, frame-time graphs, and controlled visual comparisons, higher reported FPS cannot establish that AMD delivers a better overall gaming experience.
Older RTX GPUs Could Benefit From the Hybrid Approach
The flexibility matters beyond the RTX 4070.
GeForce RTX 20-series and RTX 30-series graphics cards support DLSS Super Resolution but lack official NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation support. AMD’s technology offers another way to generate additional frames while retaining NVIDIA’s upscaling quality.
However, AMD recommends RTX 30-series or newer hardware for FSR 3.1 frame generation. Results on RTX 20-series cards may be less reliable.
Compatible games can provide both options directly through their graphics menus. Other titles may require community tools such as OptiScaler or dlssg-to-fsr3, which modify how upscaling and frame generation are handled. These modifications can create compatibility problems and should be avoided in games with anti-cheat restrictions unless explicitly permitted.
For RTX 4070 owners, the takeaway is straightforward. Combining DLSS upscaling with AMD FSR Frame Generation can improve displayed FPS in supported games, but consistent frame delivery, responsiveness, and image quality ultimately determine whether the switch is worthwhile.
Also Read: Newegg’s $1,430 RTX 5060 Ti Desktop Deal Carries 8GB VRAM and AM4 Tradeoffs
Anup Singh is an independent technology journalist and content writer covering Apple, Android, AI, laptops, gaming, and the consumer tech industry. He focuses on delivering factual, well researched, and easy to understand reporting while explaining how new technologies impact everyday users.