RTX 4090 undervolting can cut DLSS 5 power draw by up to 11% without hurting gaming performance
NVIDIA’s DLSS 5 Neural Rendering can deliver impressive visual and performance gains, but it may also push high-end GeForce RTX graphics cards to draw noticeably more power. For owners of flagship GPUs such as the RTX 4090 and RTX 5090, that extra power demand can raise concerns about heat, fan noise, efficiency, and long-term connector safety.
A simple undervolting tweak may offer a practical solution. One RTX 4090 user has shown that lowering GPU voltage can significantly reduce power consumption while keeping frame rates almost unchanged, even with DLSS 5 Neural Rendering enabled.
The test was performed on a GeForce RTX 4090, NVIDIA’s previous-generation flagship GPU with a default 450W TDP. Under normal conditions, the card often operates around the 1.00V to 1.10V range. However, many RTX 4090 cards can remain stable below 1.00V, depending on silicon quality, cooling, and workload.
Using MSI Afterburner, the user lowered the RTX 4090 voltage to 925 mV. That modest undervolt produced a clear drop in power usage across demanding games while maintaining nearly identical performance.
In Hogwarts Legacy, without DLSS 5 enabled, the RTX 4090 reportedly dropped from 386W to 311W after undervolting. Even with that large reduction in power draw, performance stayed around the same 355 to 360 FPS range.
The more interesting results appeared when DLSS 5 Neural Rendering was turned on. With DLSS 5 enabled and Multi Frame Generation disabled, the RTX 4090 consumed around 426W at stock voltage. After undervolting, power draw fell to about 387W, while performance remained steady at roughly 51 to 52 FPS.
With DLSS 5 Neural Rendering and Multi Frame Generation active, the card dropped from 435W to 388W after undervolting. That is a reduction of around 11%, with no meaningful loss in frame rate.
Cyberpunk 2077 showed a similar pattern. The RTX 4090’s power draw decreased from around 420W to 386W while delivering essentially the same performance.
These results make undervolting an appealing option for PC gamers who want to improve GPU efficiency without giving up performance. It is especially useful for users running power-hungry RTX graphics cards with demanding features such as DLSS 5 Neural Rendering and Multi Frame Generation.
Lower power consumption can also bring additional benefits beyond efficiency. An undervolted GPU often runs cooler, produces less fan noise, and may place less stress on the power connector and power delivery system. For enthusiasts worried about high-end cards pulling too much power through a single connector, this can be a simple and effective way to add extra peace of mind.
Undervolting is not a guaranteed one-click fix for every graphics card. Stability can vary from one GPU to another, and users should test their settings carefully in multiple games and workloads. If the voltage is set too low, crashes, driver resets, or visual instability may occur. Still, when done properly, undervolting can be one of the easiest ways to make an RTX 4090 or similar high-end GPU more efficient.
For gamers using DLSS 5 Neural Rendering, the takeaway is clear: a slight undervolt can reduce power draw noticeably while preserving the same gaming experience. With flagship GPUs becoming increasingly power-hungry, small tuning adjustments like this can make a major difference in real-world use.
