🔥 🎮 Squeeze some extra performance from your older NVIDIA GPU! 🎮 🔥

Huge thanks to RandomGaminginHD for sharing his views on the Nvidia Image Scaling with the PC Gaming/Building Community!

My Experience & Guide for the NVIDIA Image Scaling

I have the same Low Profile GT 1030 2GB GDDR5 from Zotac instead of the Gigabyte version that is shown in the RandomGaminginHD YouTube video. But design-wise the card is almost the same as Gigabyte [See the images below].

My Everyday Hustler, the Zotac GT 1030 LP 2GB GDDR5

Forgive my ugly 12GB triple slot memory setup! But now I've 8GB only!

One of the 4GB Memories killed itself in shame seeing my ugly setup!

⮞⮞⮞ Download NVIDIA Drivers HERE! ⮜⮜⮜

Downloaded the latest NVIDIA GeForce  511.65 Game Ready Driver (GRD) dated 01 Feb 2022, "NOT" the Studio Driver (SD)!

GRD vs SD Drivers

Installed everything but the "NVIDIA GeForce Experience" application! Also, note that I didn't "Perform a clean installation". One may opt for a clean installation if experience any problems with the existing NVIDIA drivers! 

WARNING! - When opting for clean installation one may lose their existing custom saved NVIDIA settings profiles!

In my case, I had no such problems so upgraded from my current NVIDIA Driver Version 471.68 to the latest 511.65.

In the NVIDIA  Control Panel:

⮚ Click on "Manage 3D Settings".

⮚ Under the "Global Settings" Tab.

⮚ Set the "Image Scaling" from "OFF" to "ON".

⮚ The default "Sharpen" value of "50%", may be adjusted if required!

Managed to squeeze 3-5 Frames Per Second (FPS) more in "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" at 1280x720 (720p HD Ready) resolution with graphical fidelity set to "Medium". This is a big deal, considering the fact that the game capture software in the background always gobbles some FPS when your low-end gaming PC is already working hard, gasping for every single FPS it can get to breathe!

However, the FPS mileage may vary depending upon the following factors:

• The Add-In Board Partners (AIBs) or the third-party GPU Manufacturers - Asus, Zotac, MSI, Gigabyte, EVGA, Sapphire, Galax,  Gainward, Palit, PNY, Inno3D, Leadtek, Powercolor, Colorful, KFA2, etc.
  
  
• A manufacturer may release different variants of the GT 1030 that are built up on top of the patented GPU Design shared with them by NVIDIA. And each manufacturer may design/release multiple versions of the same card with differences in the:

• GPU Clock
• Boost Clock
• Memory Clock
• Cooling Capabilities
  
  
• GT 1030 Models [Single Fan / Fanless]:
  
  
• Check all GT 1030 variants here.
  
  
• ✅👍  "BUY THIS!"" ⮞ GT 1030 2GB GDDR5, which is the "superior model".
  
  
• ❌ "AVOID" this model at all cost! ⮞ GT 1030 4GB DDR4, which is the "inferior model". More on this later!
  
  

• Game Developers & Optimized AAA Video Game Titles: 
  
  
• A good game developer will make sure that their code is well-optimized to take advantage of all the new hardware/software capabilities provided by the GPU Designers/Manufacturers. 
• But at the same time ensures that their games run on a plethora of PC hardware, from high-end, mid-range to even low-budget entry-level PCs. 
• This means a wider coverage of demographics, more profits, recognition, and above all a greater appreciation from the PC community because they don't have to burn a hole in their pockets in the name of a PC upgrade to run newer AAA video game releases!
  
  

• Your PC Config - Processor, RAM, Motherboard, etc. GT 1030 coupled with newer generation (Intel 10th, 11th, or 12th gen Pentiums & Core Series / AMD Athlons & Ryzens) entry-mid range CPUs, a decent motherboard, and minimum 8GB DDR4 Memory may squeeze out some extra FPS than the older gen CPU(s) like my Intel 2nd Gen i5-2400 and 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 Memory! Yet my GT 1030 in a 12-year old PC still managed 3-5 FPS more in a AAA title like "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt", is really impressive!
  
  

THE STORY OF "GREED"

by 

"N-GREEDY-A!"

"N-Greedy-a", released the inferior DDR4 model in the same packaging as its superior model, the GDDR5 version, marketed it as if both are the same, for some shameless petty price grab from the unsuspecting already penny pinching entry-level budget-oriented PC Builders/Gamers!

GAMERS "Tech Jesus" NEXUS did an amazing coverage on this dodgy move by "N-Greedy-a" way back in 2018. Check his detailed video coverage embedded below:

Happy Gaming! ✌🎮