Frame Generation Explained: Is It Worth It?
Frame generation can dramatically increase your FPS numbers, but it works differently from regular upscaling. Here's what it actually does, its trade-offs, and when to use it.
What frame generation does
Instead of only rendering frames, frame generation inserts AI-generated frames between real ones. This can nearly double your on-screen FPS, making games look much smoother — especially at high refresh rates.
The catch: latency
Because generated frames don't respond to your input, frame generation adds a little input latency. Technologies like NVIDIA Reflex help offset this, but it's why frame gen feels best when your base frame rate is already reasonable (ideally 50+ FPS before it's enabled).
DLSS 3 vs FSR 3
DLSS 3 frame generation is exclusive to newer NVIDIA RTX cards, while AMD's FSR 3 frame generation works across a much wider range of hardware. Both aim for the same result: higher perceived smoothness.
When to use it
Turn it on for single-player games where smoothness matters more than split-second reactions, especially if you have a high-refresh monitor. Avoid it in fast competitive shooters where input latency is critical, or when your base FPS is very low.
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