Technology · NEWS EXPLAINER
Nvidia’s faster DLSS 5 model cuts VRAM use before Hogwarts Legacy arrives
The October model is smaller and halves GPU overhead, while a separate beta Preset C trades some image quality for faster frame generation. The headline gains are company claims for named hardware, not universal results.
Nvidia says its October DLSS 5 model is 24% smaller, uses 20% less VRAM at 4K and halves GPU overhead versus the September version while maintaining comparable visual fidelity. The company says the model is about 118 million parameters.
The faster model reaches NBA 2K27 on October 16 and Hogwarts Legacy on November 5. A separate Nvidia app beta adds Preset C for RTX 40- and 50-series hardware, but its “up to 35% faster” figure is an RTX 5060 result and Nvidia acknowledges minor image-quality trade-offs.
What changed in the DLSS 5 model
Nvidia attributes the reduction to pipeline optimizations and neural-model refinements. It says the October model keeps comparable visual fidelity while cutting the footprint and 4K memory use, and reducing overhead to half the September version.
These are vendor measurements, not a guarantee for every system. Tom’s Hardware independently reported the same announced figures, but users still need game-by-game measurements for their GPU, resolution and settings.
Which games receive it first
NBA 2K27 is scheduled to receive the faster model on October 16 on RTX 50-series GPUs, RTX Spark laptops and GeForce NOW. Nvidia says future DLSS 5 games will ship with the model by default.
Hogwarts Legacy adds DLSS 5 on November 5, with its integration tuned to preserve the game’s artistic style. Where Winds Meet is scheduled for late November. These dates concern named updates, not automatic support in every game.
Preset C is a separate beta option
Preset C is a Frame Generation Performance Mode in the Nvidia app beta. It replaces a second AI model used for optical-flow work with a lighter algorithm and applies to Frame Generation, Multi Frame Generation and Dynamic Multi Frame Generation.
Nvidia says the mode is up to 35% faster on an RTX 5060 and describes minor image-quality trade-offs. That maximum should not be generalized across all RTX 40- and 50-series cards, games or scenes.
What players should check before enabling it
Confirm the game supports the relevant DLSS feature, note whether a setting is beta, and compare image quality and latency rather than reading frame rate alone. Applying Preset C globally may not be the best choice for every title.
The practical distinction is simple: the October DLSS 5 model is a model update for supported games, while Preset C is an optional beta override. Both need independent testing before their vendor claims become a personal performance expectation.
