NVIDIA adds DLSS 5 to Portal with RTX and Half-Life 2 RTX updates
October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
Also published in Português (Brasil)
NVIDIA released new updates for Portal with RTX and the experimental Half-Life 2 RTX, adding support for DLSS 5 to improve AI-powered graphics quality, along with frame generation at up to 6 times the rate on compatible GeForce RTX 50 cards.
The updates follow the launch of the RTX Remix 1.6 platform, which added DLSS 5 support and new tools for enhancing older games, along with Windows on ARM support.
DLSS 5 relies on 3D-Guided Neural Rendering, using AI to improve lighting, textures, and details within games based on the original image and object motion data. The technology differs from DLSS Super Resolution, which is dedicated to upscaling image resolution, and Frame Generation, which generates additional frames, as it focuses on improving the visual appearance of the frames themselves.
The technology particularly benefits games using full path tracing, thanks to the detailed scene information they provide.
Portal with RTX received its update on October 21, 2026, available via Steam, where DLSS 5 can be activated from RTX Remix settings using Alt + X during gameplay, with the feature disabled by default.
The update adds a new Frame Generation Preset C, along with 5X and 6X frame generation rates, and improvements to Sparse Rendering and DLSS Ray Reconstruction to reduce lighting processing costs.
NVIDIA also added SHaRC technology for storing indirect lighting information and improving shadow display on curved surfaces, with Windows on ARM support.
On October 23, the experimental Half-Life 2 RTX received a similar update, adding DLSS 5 and up to 6X frame generation, along with DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution with Preset F.
The new features can be activated through the RTX Remix menu using Alt + X, while Orbifold Studios continues developing the full version of the game.
NVIDIA successfully reduced the number of DLSS 5 model parameters by 24% to around 118 million parameters, and lowered graphics memory consumption by 20% at 4K resolution.
The new model is twice as fast as the September 2026 version while maintaining comparable image quality. Previously, the technology recorded a frame rate improvement of up to 1.4 times in NBA 2K27, with no similar results available yet for the two new games.
DLSS 5 Neural Rendering support is currently limited to RTX 50 cards and RTX Spark devices, while RTX 40 cards support Frame Generation Preset C, and 5X and 6X features require compatible RTX 50 cards.
NVIDIA also presented tools allowing game mod developers to control the strength of DLSS 5 effects, choose the models used, and exclude specific elements from enhancements, after previously showcasing capabilities in Fallout 4 RTX and Mirror's Edge RTX projects.