NVIDIA's DLSS 5 boosts visual detail in NBA 2K27 but raises power consumption
DLSS 5 adds modest texture and lighting improvements to NBA 2K27 at 4K resolution, while increasing GPU power draw and reducing frame rates, according to testing on an RTX 5090.
NVIDIA promotes its DLSS 5 upscaling technology as a way to achieve more lifelike graphics through neural rendering rather than raw processing power. In the basketball simulation NBA 2K27, the feature adds finer skin texture on faces and arms and slightly more realistic shadows, which become apparent when the camera is close to players or the crowd. In broader views, the visual gain is minimal.
Testing on an RTX 5090 GPU at 4K resolution showed frame rates drop from about 240 fps to 150 fps when DLSS 5 was enabled. Power consumption rose from roughly 400 watts without the feature to 525 watts with it, and other users have reported draws exceeding 600 watts, leading to hardware stress.
"DLSS 5 will eventually be supported on last-generation RTX 4000 GPUs," a NVIDIA spokesperson said, noting that the technology was initially limited to the newer RTX 5000 series.
The reviewer questioned whether 2K Games may have left game models under-refined to showcase the new technology, but acknowledged that sports titles often prioritize roster updates over graphical advances. Outside NBA 2K27, no other upcoming games have confirmed DLSS 5 support, though developers such as Capcom, Tencent and Ubisoft have expressed interest. Enthusiasts can experiment with DLSS 5 by modding existing titles like Control and Cyberpunk 2077.