Upscaling and frame generation are key technologies today, especially since game optimization has visibly deteriorated. If using a graphics card that does not support these features at the hardware level, there is still another solution that works on practically any GPU. Those technologies have gone from experiment to something that is quickly taken for granted, especially in graphically demanding single-player games like Cyberpunk 2077, where perfectly low input lag is not crucial.
The problem arises with older graphics cards, including the very long-lived NVIDIA 10-series models, as well as with integrated GPU solutions. This is exactly where Lossless Scaling appears, a tool that enables a classic upscaling solution and frame generation without specialized AI hardware. The program is available through the official website and the Steam platform at a price of about 7 dollars.
Lossless Scaling as an alternative for Frame Gen without RTX hardware
Modern technologies for upscaling and frame generation mostly rely on specialized units in graphics cards, optimized for simpler mathematical operations. However, such hardware is not strictly necessary. Even older GPUs can perform the necessary calculations, just with less energy efficiency. Lossless Scaling takes advantage of this and allows the game to be rendered at a lower resolution and then scaled to the target resolution with additional framerate generation.
A particularly interesting option is support for two graphics cards in one system. One card can be responsible for rendering the game, while the other handles upscaling and frame generation. The cards don’t have to be identical, which means that a used GTX 1060 can be combined with a more powerful GPU to extend the usability of older hardware.
Lossless Scaling also offers several different scaling methods, adapted to different types of games, from modern 3D titles to pixel-art aesthetics. However, there are limitations. Such solutions give the best results when there is a GPU bottleneck in the system. If the bottleneck is the processor, neither upscaling nor frame generation will remove the problem, and the subjective feeling of delay may remain pronounced. In those situations, it’s more efficient to reduce the CPU load through game settings than to rely on an additional GPU, advises How-to-Geek.