Frame generation has been one of the most discussed topics in PC gaming over the past two years. NVIDIA introduced DLSS 3 Frame Generation with the RTX 40 series, and AMD followed with FSR 3. Both solutions require specific hardware or game-level integration. Lossless Scaling takes a fundamentally different approach: it works with any game, on any GPU, without requiring developer support.
I have been testing Lossless Scaling across multiple systems since its frame generation feature launched, and the results are more nuanced than most quick reviews suggest. This guide covers everything from initial setup to advanced configuration, with real benchmark data from games that represent different rendering workloads.
What Lossless Scaling Actually Does
At its core, Lossless Scaling is a Windows application available on Steam that sits between your game and your display. It captures the game's output and applies either upscaling algorithms, frame generation, or both.
The frame generation component uses the LSFG (Lossless Scaling Frame Generation) algorithm to analyze consecutive frames and generate intermediate frames. The result is a higher perceived frame rate. If your game runs at 30 FPS natively, Lossless Scaling can make it appear to run at 60 FPS by generating every other frame.
This is not the same as simply doubling the refresh rate. Generated frames are interpolated predictions based on motion vectors calculated from real frames. The quality of these predictions depends on the complexity of the scene, the speed of motion, and the base frame rate.
System Requirements and Setup
Lossless Scaling requires Windows 10 or 11 and a GPU that supports Vulkan. In practice, this means any dedicated GPU from the last eight years will work. The frame generation feature does add GPU overhead, so having some headroom beyond your game's requirements is beneficial.
Recommended Specifications
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | GTX 1060 / RX 580 | RTX 3060 / RX 6700 XT |
| VRAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| CPU | 4-core / 8-thread | 6-core / 12-thread |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 11 |
Installation and Configuration
After purchasing and installing from Steam, the setup process is straightforward:
- Launch Lossless Scaling before starting your game
- Set your game to run in Borderless Windowed mode (required for capture)
- Select the frame generation mode (LSFG 2.x is the latest and most refined)
- Set the target frame rate multiplier (2x is the most common choice)
- Press the configured hotkey (default: Ctrl+Alt+S) to activate once your game is running
The Borderless Windowed requirement is the most common source of confusion. Exclusive fullscreen mode bypasses the Windows compositor, which Lossless Scaling needs to capture frames. Most modern games support borderless windowed mode, but some older titles may require additional configuration.
Frame Generation Performance Benchmarks
I tested Lossless Scaling across five games that represent different rendering characteristics. All tests were conducted at 1440p resolution with the 2x frame generation multiplier enabled.
Test System
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 (12 GB)
- RAM: 32 GB DDR5-6000
- Display: 165 Hz IPS panel
Results
| Game | Native FPS | With LSFG 2x | Input Lag Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (RT Ultra) | 42 FPS | 82 FPS | ~12 ms |
| Elden Ring | 55 FPS | 108 FPS | ~10 ms |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator | 35 FPS | 68 FPS | ~14 ms |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 62 FPS | 120 FPS | ~9 ms |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 48 FPS | 94 FPS | ~11 ms |
The frame rate nearly doubles in all cases, which is expected with the 2x multiplier. The more important metric is the added input latency. In competitive games, 10-14 ms of additional input lag is noticeable. In single-player titles and slower-paced games, most users will not perceive the difference.
Visual Quality Assessment
Generated frames are not perfect. The most common artifacts appear during rapid camera movement, particle effects, and UI elements that move independently of the 3D scene. In practice, these artifacts are far less noticeable during actual gameplay than in side-by-side screenshot comparisons.
LSFG 2.x has improved significantly over earlier versions. The algorithm now handles transparency and particle effects much better, and the ghosting that was common in version 1.x has been largely eliminated.
The practical difference between 35 FPS and 68 FPS in a flight simulator is substantial. Even with minor interpolation artifacts, the smoother motion makes the experience significantly more enjoyable.
When to Use Lossless Scaling
Lossless Scaling is most valuable in these scenarios:
- GPU-limited situations: When your GPU cannot maintain your target frame rate at your desired quality settings
- Older or unsupported games: Games that lack native DLSS 3 or FSR 3 support
- AMD and Intel GPU users: Who cannot access NVIDIA's hardware-based frame generation
- Emulators: Many emulated games run at fixed frame rates that benefit from interpolation
- Capped frame rate games: Titles like Elden Ring that have a 60 FPS cap
It is less suitable for competitive multiplayer games where input latency is critical, or for games that already run well above your display's refresh rate.
Comparison with Native Frame Generation
| Feature | Lossless Scaling | DLSS 3 FG | FSR 3 FG |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPU Requirement | Any (Vulkan) | RTX 40 series | Any (game-specific) |
| Game Support | Universal | Per-game | Per-game |
| Input Latency | Higher | Lower | Moderate |
| Visual Quality | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Price | ~$7 (one-time) | Included with GPU | Free (in-game) |
Native frame generation solutions will generally produce better results because they have access to the game's internal motion vectors and depth buffers. Lossless Scaling works from the final rendered image only, which means it has less information to work with. The trade-off is universal compatibility.
Practical Tips
- Cap your base frame rate to a stable value before enabling frame generation. Fluctuating base FPS causes inconsistent generated frames.
- Use the 2x multiplier rather than 3x or 4x. Higher multipliers introduce more artifacts with diminishing returns.
- Disable in-game frame limiters and use Lossless Scaling's built-in limiter instead for better frame pacing.
- If you notice UI flickering, try enabling the "Performance" mode which uses a simpler interpolation algorithm for overlay elements.
- Keep Lossless Scaling updated. The developer releases frequent updates that improve quality and compatibility.