Nvidia DGX Spark: A Reinforced Contender or Just Another Glitch?

A week ago, we learned that the Nvidia DGX Spark home supercomputer, priced at $3000, cannot deliver 60 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 even at Full HD with medium settings. It seems Nvidia didn’t like this very much and decided to prove that their creation is capable of more. Though, with the help of DLSS and frame generation.

The issue with relatively low performance in the first test was due to the Box64 emulator by default not allowing either DLSS or frame generation to be activated in the game. Nvidia decided to explain how to enable these features. As a result, Nvidia claims that performance even with ray tracing will exceed 175 FPS. However, this includes not only DLSS but also frame generation. Moreover, with a maximum generation of four frames per one real one-a solution not liked by all gamers.

Why Nvidia suddenly decided to stand up for their PC is unclear, as it’s not designed for gaming. Perhaps they didn’t like comparisons of the DGX Spark with the Ryzen AI Max+ 395-based mini-PC, which is faster in gaming and seemingly better in AI tasks, although it costs half as much.

Understanding DLSS and Frame Generation Use

DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology from Nvidia plays a crucial role in optimizing game performance. It leverages AI to upscale lower resolution images in real-time, which effectively boosts performance without significant loss in visual quality. Additionally, frame generation can significantly increase FPS by creating additional frames using AI, although it may introduce latency issues that aren’t always agreeable with competitive gamers.

Nvidia’s Stand on Performance Concerns

Recently, Nvidia has been proactive in addressing criticisms related to gaming product performance. With rapid advancements in gaming technology, Nvidia continues to highlight its innovative contributions, such as the implementation of ray tracing, which offers more realistic lighting, and the ongoing enhancement of its DLSS technology that remains a focus in their software updates.

DGX Spark: Technical Brilliance or Overkill?

The Nvidia DGX Spark is tailored primarily for AI and deep learning tasks, showcasing substantial computational power with its high-performing GPUs. While these capabilities make it ideal for professional AI applications, the transition to gaming has revealed limitations unless paired with the newest software optimizations like those Nvidia recently outlined.