Running DLSS on AMD GPUs: HelixSR tool tested

A newly released tool called HelixSR enables users with older AMD graphics cards to run Nvidia's DLSS upscaling technology instead of AMD's FSR in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2. The solution works by convincing games that FSR 3.1 is still active while substituting Nvidia's DLSS 3.7 Model E algorithm in its place, using a patched DLL file based on the official DLSS implementation.

The tool addresses a specific limitation in AMD's current lineup: only the latest RX 9000-series and 7000-series cards support FSR 4, leaving owners of older RDNA 1 and RDNA 2 hardware—including the RX 5000-series and RX 6000-series—stuck with FSR 3. For these users, HelixSR offers a potential alternative. Since AMD GPUs lack Tensor cores, the upscaling is performed using standard shader cores rather than specialized hardware acceleration.

Installation requires minimal technical knowledge. Users download version 1.8.1 from the project's repository, extract the files to a safe location such as the C: drive, and run a batch script. The script prompts users to select which games should use the DLSS patch by pressing Enter for yes or typing 'n' for no. The script then handles all necessary modifications. Uninstalling is equally straightforward through a separate uninstall batch file.

Testing with an RX 9070 XT revealed modest image quality improvements when comparing FSR and DLSS side by side. In Cyberpunk 2077, distant metal scaffolding and stairs appeared slightly sharper with DLSS at quality settings, though the difference was subtle rather than dramatic. At performance upscaling levels, the distinction between the two algorithms was even less pronounced. In most scenes without fine geometric details like thin edges, the visual gap between FSR 3 and DLSS proved negligible.

Performance impact was minimal during testing. Games running at 1440p on high settings with the RX 9070 XT experienced only a slight frame rate reduction—typically just a handful of frames in titles already exceeding 100 fps. However, performance results will vary depending on the specific GPU model and system configuration. Users with older AMD cards may experience a more noticeable performance penalty than those using newer hardware.

AMD's upscaling technology has narrowed the gap with Nvidia's solution considerably over recent years. FSR 4 now enjoys support across numerous titles, and image quality has improved substantially since earlier iterations. The practical advantage of HelixSR primarily benefits owners of older AMD cards unable to access FSR 4, who may find the modest quality gains worth the straightforward installation process. Since uninstalling requires only running a simple script, experimenting with the tool carries minimal risk for users curious about potential improvements.