What is NVIDIA image scaling technology and how is it used?

What is NVIDIA image scaling technology? Do you need NVIDIA Image Scaling technology? Here is a guide where we explain everything you need to know about the subject👇

Boosting FPS is made easier with AI such as NVIDIA’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and AMD’s FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution). With these technologies, players can increase FPS while lowering GPU values ​​by activating in-game settings.

However, NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR technologies are not available to every user. These AI technologies are only supported for certain GPU series. In addition, these technologies need to be added to games manually. Thus, both technologies have not yet been introduced into industry and are at the development stage.

Fortunately, NVIDIA offers another solution with image scaling. What is NVIDIA Image Scaling (NIS), how does it work, and how is it used? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is NVIDIA image scaling?

Image scaling is a technology used in many areas today. Especially HD images are converted to 4K resolution with upscaling. Here, an image with a low target pixel count is rendered by filling it with artificial intelligence. In short, the image pixels are filled using artificial intelligence and the target number of pixels is reached. This technology, which is used in many areas today, including smart TVs, works exactly the same in NSI.

NSI is a driver-based update feature, as opposed to NVIDIA DLSS technology. Things like AI or tensor cores are not needed here. Instead, sharpening and elevation algorithms are used.

The image is enhanced from smaller pixels to high resolution. This increases the FPS in the game.

How to enable NVIDIA image scaling?

There is no direct option to enable Nvidia’s image scaling feature in games. You can use the NVIDIA Control Panel or the NVIDIA GeForce Experience apps to enable image scaling.

NVIDIA Control Panel

• Open the application by right-clicking on the desktop or by searching.
• After opening the application, click “Manage 3D Settings” under the “3D Settings” tab in the top left menu.
• Click on the “Image Scaling” section in the second row of the “Manage 3D Settings” settings that opens.
• Enable the currently disabled value in the image scaling settings.
• In addition to the ready-to-use image scaling, you can also set the sharpening values ​​in the menu to whatever you like.

Another way to use NVIDIA image scaling is in the NVIDIA GeForce Experience app.

The NVIDIA GeForce experience

• Open the NVIDIA GeForce Experience app.
• Navigate to the settings option in the app.
• The general option under the “Settings” tab will direct you to the “image scaling” settings.

After activating the NIS option, you need to take the last step in the games. You need to use the correct input resolution for more FPS and gaming edge. The permission table based on the input resolution looks like this:

Scaling	Input resolution for 4K	Input resolution for 1440p	Input resolution for 1080p
85%	3264×1836	2176×1224	1632×918
77%	2954×1662	1970×1108	1477×831
67%	2560×1440	1706×960	1280×720
59%	2259×1271	1506×847	1129×635
fifty%	1920×1080	1280×720	Not supported

So, if you use 1080p resolution and 1632 x 918 resolution, you will get the sharpest image and the lowest FPS gain. On the other hand, if you use a resolution of 1129 x 635, the image quality will not be as high, but you will get a significant frame rate boost.

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How to use NVIDIA image scaling in game?

The last thing you need to do after activating image scaling is to use it in game. For this:

• Open the game you want to play.
• Go to game settings.
• From here, go to Video/Display/Graphics settings.
• Change the screen mode to fullscreen (or windowed).
• Select one of the newly created (according to the table above) permissions.
• After selecting a resolution (if necessary), click Apply.

It’s enough! Now your game will have more FPS while maintaining image quality.

Note: Please be aware that not all games may have a “Full Screen” option, so you will not be able to use NIS. Also, if you have an NVIDIA card with RTX that supports DLSS, we do not recommend using the image scaling option.

Below is a comparison between NVIDIA image scaling and off (native 1080p) at 85% scaling (1632 x 918).

The difference in quality will definitely be noticeable, especially if you take a close look at Kratos’ armor or axe. However, NIS offers 15% more FPS despite being 85% enabled and the image quality looks pretty good.

Finally, NVIDIA image upscaling technology has advantages in terms of performance and sharpness, as seen in the examples above. If you are already using technologies such as DLSS or AMD FSR, NIS may not be right for you.

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