Modder enables DLSS 5 Neural Rendering on AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

The achievement highlights a growing trend in the enthusiast community, where users are finding ways to unlock proprietary features on unsupported hardware. Beyond the official implementation in NBA 2K7, several games have seen unofficial DLSS 5 integrations. Modders have previously managed to enable DLSS 5 Neural Rendering on older NVIDIA architectures, including the RTX 40, RTX 30, and RTX 20 series. Although NVIDIA has promised to support Neural Rendering on the RTX 40 series in the future, the feature is currently limited to the RTX 50 series for a time.

The technical feasibility of running DLSS 5 on AMD hardware stems from the use of FP8 precision in the real-time neural rendering model. Because AMD's RDNA 5 architecture natively supports FP8, there is no fundamental hardware barrier preventing the execution of these models on RDNA 4 GPUs like the RX 9070 XT. This has led to questions about whether the technology could be activated on the RX 9000 series, a possibility that has now been realized by a community modder.

Ancient Gameplays uploaded a video confirming the effectiveness of the modder's solution. The demonstration shows DLSS 5 Neural Rendering being activated on a Radeon RX 9070 XT while playing Cyberpunk 2077. The process involves placing a file named "dlssnr_on_amd_setup.exe" into the game's bin\x64 folder, followed by downloading and placing an "nvngx_dlssnr.dl" file in the same directory. After running the setup executable and following the on-screen instructions, users can launch the game with FSR (either FSR 3 or FSR 4) enabled. Within the game's overlay, pressing the End key allows the user to run the executable again to toggle DLSS 5 Neural Rendering on or off.

The performance implications of this mod are significant. In the initial demonstration, Cyberpunk 2077 ran at over 80 FPS on the RX 9070 XT with DLSS 5 noise reduction disabled. However, enabling the feature caused the frame rate to plummet to 11–12 FPS, indicating a severe lack of optimization in the initial implementation. The modder has since released several updates, including alpha version 0.2.7, which improved performance by 12%. With these updates, the game can now maintain 30 FPS at 1080p resolution when DLSS 5 is active.

The modder also noted that the same method allows DLSS 5 to function on the RX 9070 XT in GTA V: Enhanced. This development is notable because it suggests that the underlying neural rendering models are not strictly bound to NVIDIA's proprietary drivers or hardware-specific instructions, provided the necessary computational precision is available. The ability to run DLSS 5 on AMD hardware, even if unofficially, opens up new possibilities for users who want to experiment with the latest upscaling and rendering technologies without waiting for official support.

It is important to note that this is an unofficial mod and not an official AMD or NVIDIA feature. The performance gains and stability may vary depending on the specific game, driver version, and system configuration. Users should proceed with caution and understand that this is an experimental feature that may break with future game updates or driver changes. The modder's work serves as a proof of concept, demonstrating the potential for cross-vendor compatibility in neural rendering technologies.

The community reaction to this mod has been positive, with many users expressing admiration for the technical skill required to bypass hardware restrictions. The ability to run DLSS 5 on AMD GPUs is a significant milestone in the ongoing competition between NVIDIA and AMD in the field of AI-accelerated graphics. While DLSS remains a NVIDIA trademark, the fact that it can be run on AMD hardware suggests that the underlying technology is more universal than previously thought.

As DLSS 5 continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see if NVIDIA or AMD officially support cross-vendor compatibility in the future. For now, the modder's work provides a glimpse into the potential of neural rendering on a wider range of hardware. Users who are interested in trying the mod should be aware of the risks and ensure that they have a stable backup of their game files before proceeding.

The success of this mod also highlights the importance of open standards in the graphics industry. If DLSS 5 can be run on AMD hardware, it suggests that the technology is not as proprietary as it appears. This could lead to more competition and innovation in the field of AI-accelerated graphics, ultimately benefiting consumers. The modder's work is a testament to the power of the enthusiast community and its ability to push the boundaries of what is possible with current hardware.

In conclusion, the ability to run DLSS 5 Neural Rendering on an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is a significant achievement that demonstrates the potential for cross-vendor compatibility in neural rendering technologies. While the initial implementation had performance issues, subsequent updates have improved frame rates, making the feature more usable. This mod serves as a proof of concept and a reminder of the power of the enthusiast community to push the boundaries of what is possible with current hardware.