Reader Blind Test 2026 | DLSS 4.5 Trumps FSR and Native TAA
Edited By
Carlos Gomez
A recent blind test conducted by ComputerBase reveals that gamers overwhelmingly favor Nvidia's DLSS 4.5 over AMD's FSR and native resolutions with TAA. This experiment, which took place amidst ongoing debates about image quality in gaming, is stirring conversations within the community.
Context and Details
The blind test, featuring six popular titles, saw participants vote on their preferred visual settings. DLSS 4.5 clearly dominated, garnering between 41% and 60% of votes across various games, while native and FSR options battled for a distant second place. For instance, in Cyberpunk 2077, the competition was notably tighter, but DLSS still emerged as the favorite.
Key Themes from the Community
Performance vs. Quality: Many gamers appreciate the superior image quality and stability DLSS 4.5 provides, often citing FSR's shortcomings. A commenter highlighted, "When you can clearly toggle FSR/DLSS, it's embarrassing for AMD how far behind they are."
Compatibility Issues: There’s frustration about the limited compatibility of FSR with older AMD cards, with some noting, "AMD has a version that can run on older cards, but they are being idiotic about it."
Varied Personal Experiences: Some noted their dislike for TAA, arguing that it results in a subpar gaming experience, stating, "TAA is sh*t, but if we were still using older AA solutions, I think most people would prefer native over any upscaler."
"The big reader blind tests 2026 explained briefly: DLSS 4.5 managed to emerge as the winner in all six games with the most 'I like this the best' votes."
Overall Sentiment
Comments reflect a mix of excitement for DLSS 4.5 and disappointment in AMD's FSR strategy. While many agree on DLSS's superiority, there are still users arguing against it, suggesting a split in preferences.
Notable Quotes
"I find TAA to be awful DLSS looks much better than native, imo."
"I'm really disappointed in AMD not releasing different models."
Key Takeaways
🥇 DLSS 4.5 wins across all titles with significant voting margins.
📉 AMD's FSR lacks widespread compatibility and performance against its Nvidia counterpart.
🎮 *"Curiously, some still prefer native resolution, suggesting a divide in perceptions of realism."
As the community debates these findings, the competition between Nvidia and AMD intensifies, prompting questions about future developments in gaming technology. Will AMD step up its game to match DLSS 4.5? Only time will tell.
The Road Ahead for Gamers and Developers
With DLSS 4.5 taking the lead in community preference, there's a high probability that Nvidia will continue to refine their technology. Experts estimate around an 80% chance that AMD will ramp up their efforts to improve FSR in response to this blind test outcome. This improvement may include wider compatibility for older graphics cards and enhancements in image quality to make the upscaling experience more competitive. Meanwhile, the gaming community will likely keep the pressure on both companies to push the envelope further, potentially leading to new benchmarks in visual fidelity and performance.
A Historical Echo in Gaming Evolution
Reflecting on the intense competition in the GPU market, one could draw an intriguing parallel to the 1990s console wars between Nintendo and Sega. Back then, as gamers debated the merits of each system, Sega made bold claims about their graphics prowess. However, Nintendo’s focus on quality content ultimately secured a loyal fan base. In today’s dynamic environment, Nvidia’s significant advancements in image quality through DLSS 4.5 share a resemblance to Nintendo's strategy, emphasizing how technological edge can win over consumers, while AMD’s challenges mirror Sega’s struggles during that heated period. Just as the '90s rivalry led to innovation and lasting shifts in gaming, the current GPU clash may drive both companies toward groundbreaking developments.