Modder enables NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation on GeForce RTX 20 GPUs

The project was tested on an RTX 2060 Max-Q running The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt next-gen in DirectX 12. The mod allows users to enable the Frame Generation option directly within the game, resulting in a noticeable increase in frame rates.

This development follows recent work on GeForce RTX 30 GPUs, where modders previously managed to run NVIDIA's DLSS Frame Generation pipeline on Ampere architecture and extended it to Multi Frame Generation. The new Turing implementation is essentially a fork of that project, taking the technology back one generation to target the SM75 architecture used by RTX 20 GPUs. Currently, the RTX 20 series appears limited to single frame generation, whereas the newer implementations support multiple frames.

The technical approach involves using NVIDIA's stock nvngx_dlssg 310.1 runtime but replacing the original GPU kernels with versions compiled specifically for SM75. The package also modifies architecture checks and reports the Turing GPU as Ada where required to allow the DLSS-G runtime to initialize. This differs from previous RTX 20 and RTX 30 mods that routed DLSS Frame Generation calls to AMD FSR 3 Frame Generation; here, the NVIDIA DLSS-G runtime itself is being adapted to execute natively on Turing hardware.

Initial results are mixed. A Redditor with an RTX 2060 reports that DLSS Frame Generation works fine in 2X mode. However, 3X mode shows some ghosting artifacts, and 4X mode does not work well. The user also notes slightly lower performance compared to AMD FSR Frame Generation. While the mod exposes 3X and 4X modes, they are not yet stable on Turing architecture.

There are additional reports of issues with the feature working properly across different titles, meaning the current test pool is still small. Some users have encountered compatibility problems in specific games, indicating that this is far from a reliable drop-in solution for RTX 20 GPUs at this stage. The mod is not simple; as seen with the RTX 30 version, the supplied DLL files may also trigger security warnings on some systems.

For users who prefer OptiScaler, there is an easier route to Multi Frame Generation on both RTX 20 and RTX 30 GPUs. ShyVortex has merged the MFG unlocker into the latest OptiScaler DLSSNR-PreSR-Multipass release. This setup uses a native OptiScaler hook rather than alternative DLL injection files used by some other mods. The configuration still requires the dlssg_for_sm86 files but exposes NVIDIA's native MFG path on older RTX hardware through OptiScaler.

While this project is definitely worth watching for enthusiasts and those unwilling to upgrade their hardware, it is not recommended for use on a main system until stability improves. The modding community continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with existing silicon, offering extended lifespans to older GPUs through software innovation.