Lossless Scaling: Everything You Need to Know

Lossless Scaling is a powerful third-party utility available on Steam that allows PC gamers to enhance performance and visual quality across virtually any windowed application. Developed by THS, this tool provides both spatial upscaling (increasing image quality when running at lower resolutions) and temporal scaling (frame generation to increase perceived smoothness).

The software's primary strength is its universal compatibility, making it extremely valuable for games that lack native support for modern upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR. With a price point of just $6.99 (often on sale), it's an affordable way to boost performance on existing hardware.

Lossless Scaling is not just a single method to improve performance and make things look nicer, it's actually made up for a few different technologies that use various methods to improve the experience.

Lossless Scaling offers multiple upscaling algorithms tailored to different types of content:

• LS1: A proprietary machine learning-based algorithm with good detail preservation
• AMD FSR 1.0: Implementation of AMD's open-source upscaler, balanced for quality and performance
• NVIDIA Image Scaling (NIS): NVIDIA's spatial upscaling algorithm
• Integer Scaling: Perfect for pixel art games, preserving sharp pixel edges
• xBR: Specialized algorithms for smoother pixel art upscaling
• Anime4K: Optimized for anime and cartoon-style content
• Bicubic CAS: Combines bicubic interpolation with AMD's Contrast Adaptive Sharpening

Lossless Scaling offers two primary frame generation modes:

• LSFG (Lossless Scaling Frame Generation): Uses fixed multipliers (2x or 3x) to double or triple your perceived frame rate
• AFG (Adaptive Frame Generation): Dynamically adjusts the frame generation to maintain a targeted frame rate

Both technologies analyze rendered frames and computationally generate intermediate frames to increase visual fluidity.

• Operating System: 64-bit Windows 10 (version 2004) or newer
• Recommended: Windows 11 version 24H2+ for latest features
• Hardware: Compatible with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs
• Recommended GPU: NVIDIA RTX 30 series, AMD RX 6000 series, or Intel Arc series
• Application Compatibility: Target applications must run in Windowed or Borderless Windowed mode (Exclusive Fullscreen is NOT supported)

1. Purchase and install Lossless Scaling from Steam
2. Configure your target game to run in Windowed or Borderless Windowed mode
3. Disable VSync in the game's settings
4. Launch your game and then alt-tab to Lossless Scaling
5. Select your preferred scaling type and frame generation settings
6. Click the "Scale" button and quickly switch back to your game
7. Use the default hotkey (Ctrl+Alt+S) to toggle scaling on/off during gameplay

• Stable Frame Rate: For frame generation, lock your base frame rate using in-game options or external tools like RTSS
• GPU Headroom: Aim for 70-80% GPU utilization before enabling frame generation
• Disable Interfering Overlays: Turn off Steam, Discord, and other overlays that might conflict if you have issues.

Experiment with Capture Methods: Try both DXGI and WGC capture APIs to find what works best for your setup

• Modern 3D Games: Use LS1 or AMD FSR for best quality
• Pixel Art Games: Integer Scaling for sharp pixels, xBR for a smoother look
• Anime/Cartoons: Anime4K is specifically designed for this content

Performance Priority: Nearest Neighbor or Sharp Bilinear for lowest overhead

While Lossless Scaling offers impressive capabilities, it's important to understand its inherent limitations:

• Input Latency: Frame generation inevitably adds some input delay, which may be noticeable in fast-paced games.
• Visual Artifacts: The software requires GPU resources to function; insufficient headroom can reduce overall performance.
• Performance Overhead: The software requires GPU resources to function; insufficient headroom can reduce overall performance

Configuration Complexity: Achieving optimal results requires more manual tuning than native solutions

Lossless Scaling is particularly valuable in several scenarios:

• Older Games: Enhance legacy titles that lack modern resolution support
• Emulation: Improve performance and visuals in emulated games
• Fixed-FPS Games: Bypass engine frame rate caps in games locked to 30/60 FPS
• Weak Hardware: Get more performance from limited hardware like handheld gaming PCs or laptops to reduce power consumption and fan noise

Games Without Native Upscalers: Apply modern upscaling to games without DLSS or FSR support

• NVIDIA DLSS: If your game supports it, native DLSS generally offers better quality and lower latency
• AMD FSR 2/3: Native implementation provides better integration with less latency

NVIDIA Image Scaling/AMD RSR: Driver-level alternatives with simpler setup but fewer options

For gamers willing to invest some time in optimization, particularly those playing older titles or using hardware with limited capabilities, Lossless Scaling offers an affordable and effective way to improve the gaming experience. Its continued development, including recent additions like Adaptive Frame Generation, demonstrates the developer's commitment to addressing user feedback and refining the software's capabilities.