NVIDIA revealed DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction at Computex 2026. Using a second-generation transformer AI model with 35% more compute capability, the update arrives in August 2026 for every GeForce RTX GPU, enhancing ray-traced and path-traced games.
NVIDIA officially unveiled DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction at Computex 2026, completing the final major piece of the DLSS 4.5 upgrade suite. Powered by a second-generation transformer AI model that delivers 35% more compute capability and processes 20% more parameters than its predecessor, the update will launch in August 2026 for all GeForce RTX graphics cards. At launch, 27 games will support the feature natively, alongside override options through the NVIDIA app.
What Does DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction Actually Do?
DLSS Ray Reconstruction is a neural rendering technique that replaces traditional hand-tuned denoisers in ray-traced and path-traced games. When a GPU renders a ray-traced scene, not every pixel receives a sampled ray, which creates visual noise. Traditional denoisers attempt to clean this up, but they often produce artifacts like ghosting, muted lighting, and unstable reflections.
Ray Reconstruction solves this by using an AI network trained on NVIDIA’s supercomputers. It unifies denoising and super resolution into a single model that intelligently analyses temporal and spatial data from the game engine. The result is sharper, more stable, and higher-fidelity images with lighting that stays closer to ground truth illumination.
The DLSS 4.5 version introduces the second-generation transformer architecture to Ray Reconstruction for the first time. While DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution received its transformer upgrade back in January 2026, and Dynamic Multi Frame Generation launched on March 31, Ray Reconstruction had remained on the older model until now.
Key Improvements Over the Previous Model
NVIDIA’s official Computex 2026 announcement outlines four core improvements in the updated Ray Reconstruction model:
- Efficient Denoiser: 35% more compute capability and 20% more parameters, with no meaningful performance penalty compared to the previous model.
- Enhanced Super Resolution: Deeper spatial awareness across every scene. The model uses game engine pixel sampling and motion data more intelligently, resulting in improved lighting accuracy, better temporal stability, and clearer motion.
- Expanded Training Dataset: Trained on a significantly larger dataset, giving the model better scene awareness and more accurate reconstruction closer to ground truth.
- Finer Developer Control: New controls for temporal accumulation allow developers to precisely tune model response for optimal image quality in specific titles.
NVIDIA demonstrated these improvements across multiple titles. In Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the new model delivers cleaner particle effects with virtually no snow ghosting. In PRAGMATA, lighting responsiveness from laser effects is significantly improved. In Alan Wake 2, fine CRT television static lines are preserved with greater clarity and stability.
Which GPUs Are Supported?
Every GeForce RTX graphics card will support DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction. That includes the RTX 20 series, RTX 30 series, RTX 40 series, and the current RTX 50 series. This broad compatibility is notable because other DLSS 4.5 components have more restricted hardware requirements. Dynamic Multi Frame Generation and 6X mode, for instance, are exclusive to RTX 50 series GPUs.
For older RTX cards, the Ray Reconstruction upgrade represents one of the most significant visual improvements available, since it can dramatically enhance ray-traced image quality without requiring new hardware.
All 27 Games With Native Support at Launch
When DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction launches in August 2026, it will ship with native support in 27 games. The full list, as confirmed by NVIDIA, includes some of the most visually demanding titles on PC:
| Game | Game | Game |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Wake 2 | Enlisted | NTE (Neverness to Everness) |
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora | EVERSPACE 2 | Portal with RTX |
| Backrooms: Escape Together | F1 25 | PRAGMATA |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | FBC: Firebreak | Resident Evil Requiem |
| Crimson Desert | Half-Life 2 RTX | Samson |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Hogwarts Legacy | Star Wars Outlaws |
| Death Relives | Incursion Red River | Subliminal |
| Directive 8020 | Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | Sword of Justice |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages | NARAKA: BLADEPOINT | The First Descendant |
Beyond native integrations, the NVIDIA app will also provide override options, potentially extending DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction to additional titles that already support the older Ray Reconstruction model.
How DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction Fits Into the Bigger Picture
DLSS 4.5 is not a single feature but a suite of technologies that NVIDIA has rolled out in stages throughout 2026:
- January 2026: DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution launched with the 2nd-gen transformer model, available for all RTX GPUs in over 400 games via NVIDIA app override.
- March 31, 2026: Dynamic Multi Frame Generation and 6X Multi Frame Generation mode released for RTX 50 series GPUs, enabling up to 240+ FPS path-traced gaming at 4K.
- August 2026: Ray Reconstruction receives its 2nd-gen transformer upgrade, completing the DLSS 4.5 package for all RTX users.
The Super Resolution transformer model operates in linear space rather than logarithmic space, which was a major architectural shift. This allows it to preserve full colour range and lighting detail in high-contrast scenes. The Ray Reconstruction model builds upon these advances while adding unified denoising capabilities specifically designed for ray-traced content.
Why Ray Reconstruction Matters More Than Traditional Denoisers
Every ray-traced game uses a denoiser to clean up the visual noise that ray tracing inevitably produces. Traditional denoisers are hand-tuned by developers for each game, which means their quality varies and they often struggle with fast-moving scenes, complex reflections, and dynamic lighting.
Earlier this year, Digital Foundry discovered that DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution alone could reconstruct ray-traced reflections nearly perfectly in certain titles like Crysis 3 and Silent Hill 2, provided in-game denoisers were disabled. This raised questions about whether Ray Reconstruction as a separate feature would remain necessary.
NVIDIA’s answer at Computex was clear: a dedicated, upgraded Ray Reconstruction model still delivers superior results. The unified approach of combining denoising and upscaling in one model, specifically trained for ray-traced content, produces cleaner reflections, more accurate shadows, and more stable lighting than either component could achieve separately.
Blender Integration Coming This Autumn
DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction is not limited to gaming. NVIDIA also announced that Blender Cycles will integrate the technology as a new denoiser, building on its existing OptiX integration. The update will arrive with Blender 5.3 this autumn.
For 3D artists working in Blender, this means near-final render quality in the viewport during interactive sessions. Traditional hand-tuned denoisers slow viewport interactivity to a “wait and see” approach, but DLSS Ray Reconstruction should maintain real-time responsiveness while delivering production-quality visuals.
The 1,000 RTX Games Milestone
Alongside the Ray Reconstruction announcement, NVIDIA celebrated the RTX ecosystem surpassing 1,000 games and applications. The GeForce RTX 2080 launched on August 20, 2018, introducing dedicated ray tracing and tensor core hardware. Nearly eight years later, RTX technologies have become an industry standard.
NVIDIA also confirmed 11 additional games gaining DLSS 4.5 support, announced at Computex. These include Marvel Rivals (receiving a native DLSS 4.5 update on June 12), Gothic 1 Remake (launching June 5 with DLSS 4.5), Hell Let Loose: Vietnam (launching June 18), Phantom Blade Zero, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, Squad, Where Winds Meet, and more.
How to Enable DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction
Once the August 2026 update arrives, there will be two primary ways to activate the feature:
- Native In-Game Support: In any of the 27 supported games, enable DLSS Ray Reconstruction through the in-game settings menu. The game will automatically use the updated DLSS 4.5 model.
- NVIDIA App Override: Open the NVIDIA app, navigate to the Graphics tab, and select the DLSS override options. This method can apply the updated model to additional titles that support older versions of Ray Reconstruction.
You will need to install the latest NVIDIA app update and the most recent GeForce Game Ready Driver when the August release drops. The process is identical across all supported RTX generations, from the RTX 2060 to the RTX 5090.
Things Worth Knowing
Does DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction reduce FPS?
According to NVIDIA, the new model maintains similar performance to the previous version despite its increased compute capability. The 35% compute increase and 20% parameter increase are handled by efficiency improvements in the model architecture.
Can I use Ray Reconstruction and Multi Frame Generation together?
Yes. All DLSS 4.5 components are designed to work in concert. However, Multi Frame Generation (including 6X mode) remains exclusive to RTX 50 series GPUs. Ray Reconstruction works on all RTX generations.
What about DLSS 5?
NVIDIA announced DLSS 5 at GTC 2026, with a planned autumn 2026 release. DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction is the final major update before that next generation arrives. Titles confirmed for DLSS 5 include Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Starfield, Hogwarts Legacy, and Resident Evil Requiem, among others.
Will more games be added after launch?
The 27-game list represents day-one native support. NVIDIA continuously adds new integrations, typically announcing several new titles each week. The NVIDIA app override system also extends compatibility beyond the native list.
Is there a visual difference compared to DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution without Ray Reconstruction?
Yes. Ray Reconstruction specifically targets ray-traced and path-traced scenes with a unified denoising and upscaling model. Super Resolution improves overall image quality and can partially handle ray-traced noise, but Ray Reconstruction provides a dedicated, purpose-built solution with superior results in scenes featuring complex lighting, reflections, and shadows.
