How to Run DLSS on AMD GPUs: The HelixSR Tool Explained

If you have been looking for a way to run DLSS on AMD GPUs, a new community-developed tool called HelixSR might be exactly what you need. By tricking games into replacing FSR 3.1 with DLSS 3.7 (Model E), this utility allows older AMD graphics cards to utilize Nvidia’s acclaimed upscaling technology in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

How HelixSR Enables DLSS on AMD Hardware

The core concept behind HelixSR is elegant in its simplicity. The tool functions by patching specific game files to convince the engine that it is interacting with FSR 3.1, while silently swapping the underlying algorithm for the DLSS 3.7 DLL. Since AMD cards lack dedicated Tensor cores, the upscaling heavy lifting is handled by your regular shader cores.

• Technical approach: It replaces FSR 3.1 binaries with DLSS 3.7 Model E.
• Compatibility: Designed primarily to assist RDNA 1 (RX 5000-series) and RDNA 2 (RX 6000-series) users who are locked out of the latest FSR 4 features.
• Ease of use: Installation involves extracting a zip file and running a simple batch script that scans for supported games.

Is It Worth the Switch from FSR 3?

While the prospect of using Nvidia’s tech on Team Red hardware is exciting, it is important to manage your expectations. In practice, the performance gains are not magical. Because the workload is processed through standard shaders rather than specialized hardware, you may actually see a slight decrease in frame rates compared to native FSR 3.1.

The image quality improvements are subtle rather than revolutionary, but for those who prefer the look of DLSS Model E over current AMD alternatives, this tool provides a viable path to customization.

Practical Considerations for AMD Gamers

Before you dive in, consider the current state of upscaling. AMD has made massive strides with FSR, and the quality gap has narrowed significantly. However, since FSR 4 support is limited to the latest 7000 and 9000-series cards, HelixSR serves as a bridge for older hardware owners who want to experiment with different visual presets.

If you decide to try it and find the results lacking, the developers have included an uninstallation script to revert your game files to their original state. As always, ensure your drivers are up to date and you have a clean backup of your game folder before attempting any modifications to system-level files.

Source: Read Original Article