NVIDIA RTX Video Super Resolution (RTX VSR): Setup, ON/OFF Guide & Performance Explained
- Updated on 2026-02-14
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Table Of Content
What Is NVIDIA RTX Video Super Resolution (RTX VSR)?
NVIDIA RTX Video Super Resolution (RTX VSR) is an AI-powered video upscaling technology that uses Tensor Cores on GeForce RTX GPUs to enhance low-resolution streaming content (360p–1440p) toward 4K quality in real time. It reduces compression artifacts, sharpens edges, and restores fine textures directly inside supported browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge — without requiring additional plugins or software.
Key Aspects of NVIDIA RTX Video Super Resolution
- Functionality: RTX VSR analyzes compressed streaming video (such as 720p or 1080p content) and intelligently reconstructs lost detail while removing blocky artifacts, ringing, blur, and color banding.
- AI Enhancement Process: The technology uses a deep learning network accelerated by RTX Tensor Cores. Upscaling and artifact reduction happen simultaneously in a single real-time pass, ensuring smooth playback.
- System Requirements: Requires a GeForce RTX 30 or 40 Series GPU and up-to-date NVIDIA drivers.
- Compatibility: Works on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers.
- User Controls: Configurable via the NVIDIA Control Panel, offering four quality levels (1-4).
- Best Use Case: RTX VSR provides the clearest visual improvement when lower-resolution videos such as 720p or 1080p are streamed in fullscreen on a 1440p or 4K display, especially on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, Netflix, and Disney+, where compression artifacts are more visible.
- Benefits: It provides a crisper, clearer, and more detailed picture on 1440p or 4K monitors when watching lower-resolution videos.
- Known Issues/Considerations: Higher settings increase GPU power consumption, potentially leading to increased heat. Some users may notice an "uncanny valley" effect, particularly on faces in, for example, talking-head videos.
RTX VSR vs NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution (What’s the Difference?)
Many users search “nvidia super resolution” intending either video upscaling (VSR) or gaming upscaling (DLSS).
Note: This is distinct from NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which is used for real-time game rendering, or Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR), which renders games at higher resolutions and downscales them.
Here's the clean distinction:
| Item | RTX Video Super Resolution (VSR) | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Use Case | Video upscaling for streaming/local playback | Game rendering upscaling |
| Works On | YouTube, Netflix, Twitch, VLC, browsers | Supported PC games |
| Trigger Location | NVIDIA Control Panel / NVIDIA App | In-game settings |
| Goal | Sharper videos, fewer artifacts, near-4K look | Higher FPS + sharper game visuals |
| Hardware | RTX 20/30/40 Tensor Cores | RTX Tensor Cores + game integration |
How Does RTX VSR Work?
RTX Video Super Resolution uses a deep learning model trained on thousands of video frames.
When a supported video plays:
- Each frame is analyzed by AI.
- Missing pixel data is predicted.
- Compression artifacts (blocking, ringing, banding) are reduced.
- Sharpened output is displayed in real time.
Best results are visible when:
- Watching 720p or 1080p video on a 1440p or 4K monitor
- Streaming YouTube, Netflix, Twitch, Prime Video
- Viewing animated or slow-motion content
If a video is already native 4K, VSR does not activate.
Compatible GPUs & System Requirements
Before enabling NVIDIA Super Resolution video, make sure your system meets these requirements:
GPU Support
To use Nvidia RTX Super Resolution, your system must have a compatible NVIDIA graphics card from the RTX 20, 30, or 40 series. Ensuring you have the latest Game Ready drivers installed is essential for optimal performance. Refer to the table below for a breakdown of the supported GPU series.
| Graphics Card Series | Support Status | Additional Notes |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 Series | Supported (recently added in October 2023) | For optimal use, verify that the newest drivers are installed |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series | Fully supported | Recommended to update to the latest Game Ready drivers |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series | Fully supported | Best performance with the newest GPUs and drivers |
Driver Version
- Game Ready or Studio Driver 530.xx or newer
- Driver 555+ improves power efficiency by up to ~30%
Operating System
- Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Windows 11
Browser Support
- Google Chrome (v110+)
- Microsoft Edge (v110+)
Important Rule: The video resolution must be lower than your monitor’s native resolution.
How to Enable NVIDIA VSR (Quick Guide)
If you’re searching how to enable NVIDIA VSR or how to use RTX Super Resolution, follow these steps:
- Install NVIDIA Driver 530.xx or newer
- Right-click Desktop → Open NVIDIA Control Panel
- Navigate to: Video → Adjust video image settings
- Enable “RTX Video Enhancement”
- Check the box for “Super Resolution”
- Select Quality Level (1–4)
- Click Apply
- Restart your browser
Alternative method (New NVIDIA App):
Open NVIDIA App → System → Video → Enable RTX Video Super Resolution.
Once enabled, RTX VSR activates automatically when playing supported video in fullscreen mode.
How to Use NVIDIA Super Resolution
Ready to experience sharper, clearer videos powered by AI? If you’re curious about how to use Nvidia Super Resolution, you’re well taken care of here. This powerful feature can enhance video playback quality across browsers.
However, make sure Chrome, Edge, or Firefox (for those using Nvidia Super Resolution Firefox) as well as VLC are updated to their most recent versions, and that your NVIDIA Game Ready Drivers (v530+) are installed.
Step 1: Update Your NVIDIA Drivers
Keeping your GPU drivers up to date ensures full compatibility with RTX Video Super Resolution.
- Go to the NVIDIA Driver Download page.
- Enter your GPU model and series (e.g., RTX 20, 30, or 40).
- Download and install the latest Game Ready Driver — version 530 or newer (560+ recommended).
- Restart your computer once installation completes.
*Tip: You can also open GeForce Experience → Drivers tab → Check for updates to install automatically.
*Note: RTX VSR was officially introduced with driver version 530.30, and improvements were made through 2024–2025 releases.
Step 2: Open the NVIDIA Control Panel or the New NVIDIA App
You can enable RTX Video Super Resolution through either interface:
Option 1 — Control Panel
- Right-click your desktop.
- Select NVIDIA Control Panel.
- In the sidebar, go to Adjust video image settings under the “Video” section.
Option 2 — NVIDIA App (2025 and later)
- Open the NVIDIA App.
- Navigate to System → Video → RTX Video Enhancement.
*Shortcut: Press Shift + F10 on the desktop to open the context menu more quickly.
Step 3: Enable RTX Video Enhancement (Super Resolution)
Once inside the NVIDIA Control Panel or App:
- Locate the RTX Video Enhancement section.
- Check the box next to Super Resolution.
- Choose your preferred quality level from 1 to 4.
- Click Apply to confirm your settings.
*Pro Tip: For most users, Level 3 offers the best balance between quality and GPU power.
- Level 1: Low GPU load, minimal enhancement
- Level 2: Balanced performance and quality
- Level 3: High clarity, moderate GPU usage
- Level 4: Maximum sharpness and detail, highest GPU usage
*Reminder: The “Super Resolution” toggle is only visible on RTX 20/30/40 series GPUs with driver 530+.
Step 4: Play and Test NVIDIA RTX Super Resolution
Now that RTX VSR is enabled, test it in your preferred playback environment.
- Open a supported browser — Chrome (v110+) or Edge (v110+).
- Go to Settings → System → ensure “Use hardware acceleration when available” is enabled.
- Play a video between 360p–1440p resolution in fullscreen mode.
- RTX VSR automatically enhances it in real time, improving sharpness, color, and detail.
*Note:
For local playback, open VLC Media Player (v3.0 or later) and ensure GPU acceleration is active.
VSR only works on the primary display, and it requires the video’s resolution to be lower than your screen’s native resolution (e.g., 1080p on a 4K monitor).
NVIDIA Super Resolution On or Off?
Many users ask:
Should I turn on Super Resolution NVIDIA?
Turn It ON If:
- Watching 720p/1080p on a 1440p or 4K monitor
- Streaming YouTube, Netflix, Twitch
- GPU usage remains below 70%
- You want sharper details and fewer compression artifacts
Turn It OFF If:
- Gaming at the same time
- GPU temperature is high
- You notice stuttering
- Video is already native 4K
Recommended setting:
Auto or Level 3 offers the best balance between clarity and GPU usage.
Common Problems of NVIDIA RTX Super Resolution
Earlier, NVIDIA RTX Super Resolution consumed a lot of GPU power—between 70W and 240W, depending on the upscaling level. However, with the January 2025 driver update, efficiency improved by up to 30%, significantly reducing performance overhead. That said, several technical issues remain that can affect activation or output quality.
Common Problems and Fixes for NVIDIA RTX Super Resolution
Some frequent problems encountered with Nvidia AI video upscaling are:
Below are the most frequently reported issues and verified solutions, based on NVIDIA’s 2025 driver documentation and user feedback.
| Problem | Possible Cause | Workaround |
| VSR doesn’t activate | The video resolution equals your display’s resolution | Play a lower-resolution video (e.g., 1080p on 4K screen) |
| VSR works in Chrome but not Edge | Browser versions or hardware acceleration disabled | Update both browsers and enable hardware acceleration |
| VSR toggle missing in Control Panel | Driver version below 530 / unsupported GPU | Install latest Game Ready Driver (v530+) |
| Stuttering or lag | High GPU usage or background processes | Lower quality to Level 2–3 and close GPU-heavy apps |
| Inconsistent color or contrast | HDR conflicts or scaling artifacts | Disable HDR in Windows temporarily and retest |
| No change in video quality | Running multiple displays / not primary monitor | Activate VSR on main display only |
| Conflict with DLSS or Image Scaling | Overlapping Tensor Core allocation | Disable one enhancement feature before enabling VSR |
*Pro Tips:
- Restart your browser after changing settings.
- Keep both the NVIDIA App and browser versions up to date.
- For most users, Quality Level 3 gives the best balance of clarity and performance.
Performance and Efficiency Insights
Since 2025, NVIDIA has improved RTX Super Resolution efficiency dramatically:
- Power usage reduced by ~30% (driver 555+).
- Frame processing latency decreased for Chrome/Edge (v123+).
- GPU temperature stability improved when combining with G-Sync displays.
Considering these issues, many users look for advanced AI video enhancement tools that overcome VSR’s technical limits — particularly in color reconstruction, HDR rendering, and offline batch processing. This is where UniFab RTX RapidHDR AI stands out.
Meet UniFab RTX RapidHDR AI: AI Video Enhancement Evolved
UniFab RTX RapidHDR AI is a versatile software that leverages RTX HDR and NVIDIA's advanced super-resolution technology to deliver authentic HDR10 color, dramatically deeper contrast, and razor-sharp detail. With lightning-quick, seamless processing, it unlocks the full power of your NVIDIA RTX GPU, whether you’re upgrading old footage or discovering new levels of clarity in your favorite streams. It effectively combines NVIDIA RTX video Super Resolution, edge enhancement, and artifact-free upscaling so every frame is not only brighter and more vibrant, but also noticeably clearer.
Primary Features
- Uses advanced AI algorithms to boost low-res videos to high-res, such as up to 4K
- Fills in missing details to generate clear and fine images with deeper contrast
- Enhance video quality while restoring image details and textures lost due to compression
- Replaces blur, blocky, compression, and dull color with deep, dynamic tones and crisp textures
- Deep learning models analyze and remove image artifacts, such as mosaics and banding
- Offers enhanced realism through smoother and more seamless color gradients
- Employs RTX HDR alongside NVIDIA’s advanced Super Resolution technology to provide genuine HDR10 compliance with enhanced color depth
- Utilizes dynamic tone mapping for different scenarios and devices
Step-by-Step Guide to Using UniFab RTX RapidHDR AI
30-day Free Trial for full feature, without watermark!
Download UniFab from the official website. After that, navigate to All Features and click on the RTX RapidHDR AI module. Then, drag and drop your files— whether MKV, MP4, AVI, or others— directly into the interface.
Pick your desired enhanced output resolution (up to 4K).
Click Start, and UniFab will automatically initiate AI processing with a single click. Once completed, it will save the finished file without hassle.
To learn more about UniFab RTX RapidHDR AI, watch this video:
Conclusion
Nvidia Super Resolution provides a powerful method for enhancing video quality through real-time AI upscaling. In this guide, we cover the key benefits, step-by-step setup instructions, and common problems users may encounter with Nvidia RTX Super Resolution. If you're looking for an alternative solution, UniFab RTX RapidHDR AI is an excellent option for advanced video enhancement with AI precision and speed. Dive into a sharper, more immersive viewing experience today!
FAQs about Super Resolution Nvidia
Is Super Resolution good for gaming?
Yes, super-resolution technologies like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Nvidia DLSS are excellent for gaming. Thanks to AI-powered upscaling, these technologies boost frame rates while keeping or improving image quality, allowing high-demand games to run on less capable hardware. These methods render games in lower resolution and subsequently upscale them intelligently to improve visual fidelity. This results in a smoother, more detailed, and more immersive gaming experience.
Should I turn Nvidia Super Resolution on?
Yes. Enabling Nvidia Super Resolution is recommended if you want higher-quality video playback and have a supported Nvidia RTX GPU. It enhances image quality by utilizing AI to upscale low-resolution video, resulting in sharper and clearer images. Users can choose between different quality levels, with "Auto" recommended for dynamically balancing quality. And GPU usage, or "High" to maximize visual quality. This flexibility lets users customize the experience to match their performance requirements and visual tastes.
Does RTX Super Resolution affect performance?
Yes. RTX uses the Tensor cores on the RTX GPU. Users may experience a slight reduction in performance when playing a game or using GPU-intensive creative apps in parallel. If you pause the video, RTX will still be active but won’t process any frames. However, RTX Video will not use GPU resources.