Nvidia has launched its latest generation of graphics cards, and alongside them comes a major driver update. While most of the attention is naturally focused on the new RTX 50-series cards, what’s particularly surprising is that these updates also provide substantial performance gains for older GPUs, including the RTX 2080 from 2018.
The new drivers bring DLSS 4 to the forefront, primarily benefiting the RTX 40- and 50-series GPUs, including frame generation features that add up to four AI-generated frames between traditional game frames. While this feature, which some call a “fake frame” technique, is impressive, not all gamers are convinced it truly delivers a meaningful boost to gameplay performance.
However, Nvidia hasn’t left owners of older GPUs in the dust. The update also includes enhanced ray reconstruction, super resolution, and deep learning anti-aliasing improvements that boost performance for RTX 30-series and RTX 20-series cards. Though Nvidia doesn’t explicitly mention these models in its blog post, older hardware can still take advantage of these features. Some of them, like enhanced ray reconstruction, are in beta and may require manual activation to see benefits.
The focus on these advanced features for newer GPUs is understandable, but the inclusion of older card support adds a layer of longevity for Nvidia’s previous generation. While the RTX 5090 stands out as a powerhouse, the RTX 5080 doesn’t quite live up to the hype. But with support for GPUs nearly seven years old, Nvidia’s commitment to maintaining performance on older hardware is a silver lining for those not yet ready to upgrade their entire setup.