Borderlands 4 DLSS/FSR test Frame Generation
We have conducted additional testing. Borderlands 4 с DLSS и FSR Frame Generation, using upscalings DLSS и FSR в quality mode. We assessed the impact of these technologies on performance and smoothness, as well as visual image quality. Let's see if they will show FG и upscalings real benefit in dynamics and how this will affect system requirements.
| THE GRAFICAL PART |
This subsection of our review highlights the main graphical aspects of this game. Particular attention is paid to the version of the graphics engine used, the version of the API used, graphic settings and the quality of development of the main visual aspects.
| Upscaling and Frame Generation Technologies in Borderlands 4 |
Borderlands 4 offers an advanced technical implementation with a full set of modern visual technologies. Among them is support for image scaling (upscaling) and intermediate frame generation, which is especially important for increasing performance on weak systems and for revealing the potential of the latest generation of video cards. In this article, we will analyze in detail which upscalers and frame generators are available in the game, how they work, and what combinations of technologies can be used on video cards of different series - from RTX 20 to RTX 5090 and from RX 6700 to RX 9070 XT.
What is upscaling and why is it needed?
Upscaling is a rendering method where the game is processed at a lower resolution and then scaled up to the target resolution using special algorithms. This allows for a significant reduction in the load on the graphics processor and a higher frame rate without any obvious loss of visual quality. In modern implementations, upscaling is no longer just “stretching” the image, but involves complex work with temporal information, object movement, edge smoothing, and detail restoration.
Borderlands 4 has several upscalers available at once: DLSS from NVIDIA, FSR from AMD, TSR (Temporal Super Resolution), and XeSS from Intel. Each of them has its own features, but the goal is the same - to increase performance and keep the picture as clear and stable as possible.
Frame Generation
Frame Generation — is a technology that creates additional frames between the ones actually rendered. Unlike upscaling, which reduces the load by reducing the resolution, a frame generator increases smoothness by interpolating motion and creating new frames that are not rendered in the traditional way.
Borderlands 4 has two key frame generation options: DLSS Frame Generation from NVIDIA and FSR Frame Generation from AMD. Both technologies are aimed at the same thing - increasing the frame rate while maintaining the main rendering. The use of frame generation is especially noticeable in high separate screen resolutions such as 1440p and 4K, where even powerful systems can have a hard time maintaining a stable 60+ FPS.
Upscaling in Borderlands 4: What Technologies Are Available
In the game settings you can select an upscaling method from the following:
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DLSS — a neural network upscaler from NVIDIA that uses Tensor cores and historical image data.
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FSR — technology from AMD that works on almost any modern GPU.
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TSR — a temporal upscaler that uses information from multiple frames to increase detail.
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xess — an upscaler from Intel that uses machine learning and is adapted for a wide range of devices.
Each of these technologies has quality modes: Quality, Balanced, Performance , and also in some cases Ultra Performance . In mode Quality Upscaling provides the sharpest image with a moderate increase in FPS. Performance и Ultra Performance sacrifice quality in favor of maximum frame rate.
Frame Generators in Borderlands 4: What Can You Activate
To generate intermediate frames, the game offers:
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DLSS Frame Generation — available on RTX 40 and 50 series.
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DLSS Multi Frame Generation — extended version, available only on RTX 50 series.
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FSR Frame Generation — a universal solution that works on both AMD and NVIDIA, including the RTX 20 and RTX 30 series.
DLSS Multi Frame Generation allows up to three additional frames between real ones, providing almost four times the refresh rate with a minimal increase in latency. This gives the RTX 50 series a clear advantage. On the RTX 40, only one additional frame between real ones is possible. On the RTX 20/30 and AMD cards, FSR is used Frame Generation, which is capable of creating one intermediate frame, but does not use neural networks.
What to enable on different video cards
NVIDIA RTX 50
Owners of RTX 5090, 5080 and other graphics cards in this generation get access to DLSS-4 with full support Multi Frame Generation. This allows for simultaneous activation of image scaling and the creation of up to three additional frames between each real one. In DLSS Quality + FG mode, a nearly fourfold increase in perceived smoothness is possible without sacrificing visual clarity.
What to include:
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DLSS (Quality or Balanced mode)
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Multi Frame Generation (up to 4× frames)
NVIDIA RTX 40
Members RTX 4090, 4080 and other cards of this generation can be activated DLSS Frame Generation, but without support for multi-frame mode. It is possible to generate one intermediate frame between every two real ones.
What to include:
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DLSS (Quality mode)
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Frame Generation (2× visual FPS)
NVIDIA RTX 20/30
These generations do not support DLSS Frame Generation, since the corresponding hardware is missing. However, they can use DLSS Super Resolution и FSR with Frame Generation, if the corresponding modes are activated in the game settings. FSR in this case is responsible for both scaling and frame generation.
What to include:
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FSR (Quality mode)
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Frame Generation via FSR (up to 2× FPS)
AMD RX
AMD's latest and previous generation graphics cards can use FSR in all its manifestations. Frame Generation implemented at the driver or game engine level, depending on the FSR 3 implementation. Support for all quality modes is also present, including the closest to native - Quality.
What to include:
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FSR (Quality mode)
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FSR Frame Generation (2× visual FPS)
Borderlands 4 offers a flexible and technologically advanced approach to performance optimization. Support for modern upscalers and frame generators allows you to tune the game to specific system capabilities - from budget configurations to flagship solutions.
DLSS and FSR both work on the same thing - increasing performance, but they do it differently: DLSS relies on artificial intelligence and specialized hardware, while FSR relies on versatility. Adding Frame Generation changes the perception of performance, especially when playing on high refresh rate monitors.
With the right setup, even a mid-range system can deliver smooth gameplay in Borderlands 4 with minimal compromises in quality. But only the latest graphics cards will be able to take full advantage of what the game can do, with maximum detail, high frame rates, and advanced motion generation modes.
| QUALITY OF UPSCALES |
When comparing different scaling technologies, especially in the quality, there are noticeable differences not only in performance, but also in visual clarity. DLSS, based on a neural network approach, demonstrates slightly higher image quality compared to the others. It copes better with fine details, maintains clarity on complex textures, and suppresses flickering on moving objects more effectively. This is especially noticeable in dynamic lighting or in scenes with fine contrast lines, such as in architecture and interface elements.
FSR in mode quality also produces a decent picture. It works without specialized AI cores and is less demanding on hardware, but universal. However, when directly compared to DLSS in the same conditions, you can notice slightly softer contours, slight blurring on distant objects and a slight loss of fine details. This is especially noticeable at 4K resolution, where DLSS maintains visual sharpness closer to native rendering.
Thus, even with equal settings and on the same scene, DLSS is visually slightly ahead of alternative technologies, offering a more detailed and “collected” picture without additional artifacts. This makes it the optimal choice for those who want to get maximum visual quality with active upscaling.
| TEST PART |
Below you will find a table of equipment that was kindly provided by our sponsors: GIGABYTE, ASUS, Kingston и Deep Cool. It reflects the list of motherboards, video cards, memory modules and cooling systems used in the tests, and also indicates the current configuration of the operating system and drivers.
| Test configuration | |
| GIGABYTE | |
| motherboards | |
| ASUS | |
| motherboards | |
| Video Cards |
Asus GeForce RTX 5070 TUF Gaming OC ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC |
| KINGSTON | |
| RAM |
16 GB DDR4 4600 CL19 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR4 3600 CL16 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR4 4000 CL18 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR5 5600 CL40 Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB DDR5 6000 CL30 Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB DDR5 7200 CL36 Kingston FURY Renegade 48GB DDR5 7200 CL36 Kingston FURY Renegade |
| Storage devices |
Kingston FURY Renegade PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Deep Cool | |
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Cases and cooling |
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| Software configuration |
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| Operating system | Windows 11 24H2 |
| Graphics driver |
Nvidia GeForce/ION Driver Release 581.29 WHQL AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 25.9.1 |
| Monitoring programs | MSI Afterburner 4.6.6 Beta 5 Build 16555 |
All video cards were tested at maximum graphics quality using MSI Afterburner. The purpose of the test is to determine how video cards from different manufacturers behave under the same conditions. Below is a video of a test segment from the game:
Our video cards were tested at different screen sizes of 1920×1080, 2560×1440 and 3840×2160 with maximum graphics settings upscales in quality mode и Frame Generation 4X for cards RTX 50 и 2X for all the rest.
Our review, where the video cards were tested in native resolution, is available at the link.
In the video card test, the default resolution is 1920x1080, other resolutions are added and removed manually. You can also remove and add any video card positions. You can also select any of our test processors from the list in the drop-down menu, comparing its performance with the given video card tests (the most productive solution is selected by default). The test is carried out on the most productive in this game CPU and scales to other processors, taking into account their testing on NVIDIA and AMD video cards.
- Badass + Frame Generation
When using frame generation technologies, it is important to understand that a visually increased FPS is not the same as a real, rendered frequency. Generators inevitably introduce additional latency, which is especially noticeable in games with fast controls and sharp cameras. Therefore, evaluating performance solely by the displayed frame rate figure is a mistake. True smoothness and responsiveness should be measured before the generation is turned on.
Taking this into account, you can focus on such threshold values. The minimum comfortable level is considered to be the level at which the minimum FPS without generation does not fall below 60 frames per second — in this case, the gameplay remains stable and does not irritate. The level from can be called quite comfortable 90 FPS and above, where the controls feel confident and the movements are natural. The optimal base for frame generation is considered to be a stable level from 120 FPS, in which the interpolation result looks as smooth and natural as possible, and the influence of delays is practically not felt.
Therefore, before activating frame generation, it is important to make sure that the system is capable of providing high stable FPS without its participation. Only then will the technologies Frame Generation will really bring tangible benefits without compromising the gaming experience.
When resolved 1920x1080:
- Minimum FPS (60 frames): Reached on video cards of the level of Radeon RX 6700 XT or GeForce RTX 2080 Ti.
- Minimum FPS (90 frames): Provided by video cards of the Radeon RX 7700 XT or GeForce RTX 4060 Ti level.
- Minimum FPS (120 frames): Possible with video cards of the Radeon RX 7900 or GeForce RTX 4070 Ti level.
When resolved 2560x1440:
- Minimum FPS (60 frames): Achieved on Radeon RX 6800 or GeForce RTX 4060 Ti level graphics cards.
- Minimum FPS (90 frames): Provided by video cards of the Radeon RX 7900 or GeForce RTX 4070 Ti level.
- Minimum FPS (120 frames): Possible with video cards like Radeon RX 7900 XTЧ or GeForce RTX 4080.
When resolved 3840x2160:
- Minimum FPS (60 frames): Reached on video cards of the level of Radeon RX 7900 XT or GeForce RTX 4070 Ti S.
- Minimum FPS (90 frames): Provided by GeForce-level video cards RTX 4090.
- Minimum FPS (120 frames): Possible with video cards of the GeForce RTX 5080 level.
| VIDEO MEMORY CONSUMPTION |
Testing of the video memory consumed by the game was carried out by the MSI Afterburner program. The results on video cards from AMD and NVIDIA at separate screen resolutions of 1920x1080, 2560x1440 and 3840x2160 with different anti-aliasing settings were taken as an indicator. By default, the most current solutions are displayed in the graph. Other video cards are added and removed from the graph at the reader's request.
- Badass + Frame Generation
GameGPU
Resolution 1920x1080:
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 9 GB
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 9 GB
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 9 GB
- Video cards with 32 GB of video memory: consume 8 GB
Resolution 2560x1440:
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 9 GB
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 10 GB
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 10 GB
- Video cards with 32 GB of video memory: consume 9 GB
Resolution 3840x2160:
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 10 GB
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 11 GB
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 12 GB
- Video cards with 32 GB of video memory: consume 10 GB
| RAM TEST |
The indicator was taken as all used RAM. The RAM test on the all system was conducted on various video cards without launching third-party applications (browsers, etc.). In the graphics, you can add and remove any resolutions and video cards as desired.
- Badass + Frame Generation
GameGPU
Resolution 1920x1080:
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 32 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
Resolution 2560x1440:
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 32 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
Resolution 3840x2160:
- Video cards with 12 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 16 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 24 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
- Video cards with 32 GB of video memory: consume 16 GB of RAM
| SPONSORS TESTS |
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