At CES 2026, Nvidia announced no new GeForce graphics cards, instead emphasizing software upgrades like DLSS 4.5 and the launch of G-Sync Pulsar monitors. The shift comes amid RAM shortages driven by AI demand, impacting potential mid-generation GPU refreshes. CEO Jensen Huang's keynote prioritized the company's AI business over gaming hardware.
Nvidia's presence at CES 2026 marked a departure from tradition, as the company forewent announcements of new GeForce GPU models for the first time in years. During CEO Jensen Huang's 90-minute keynote on January 6, 2026, the focus was predominantly on Nvidia's AI dominance, with gaming updates relegated to a later video.
The key gaming reveal was DLSS 4.5, an enhancement to Nvidia's upscaling and frame generation technologies. This version introduces a second-generation transformer model, trained on an expanded dataset to boost image quality, particularly in Performance and Ultra Performance modes. Nvidia's Bryan Catanzaro noted that it improves predictions for generating new pixels from lower-resolution sources.
DLSS Multi-Frame Generation sees an upgrade, allowing up to five AI-generated frames per rendered frame in a new 6x mode, paired with Dynamic Multi-Frame Generation that adjusts frame counts based on scene complexity. These features require RTX 50-series GPUs for full functionality, though the transformer model works on 20- and 30-series cards with a noted performance hit of 14-24% in tests on an RTX 3080 Ti. DLSS 4.5 is available immediately via driver update, while Multi-Frame Generation enhancements arrive in spring 2026.
Complementing software advances, Nvidia launched its G-Sync Pulsar technology on four 27-inch, 1440p IPS monitors with 360 Hz refresh rates: Acer's Predator XB273U F5, AOC's AGON PRO AG276QSG2, Asus' ROG Strix Pulsar XG27AQNGV, and MSI's MPG 272QRF X36. Pulsar uses a rolling scan backlight that pulses for one-quarter of a frame, syncing with variable refresh rates to achieve effective motion clarity equivalent to a 1,000 Hz monitor, reducing retinal persistence blur.
Independent reviews vary: Monitors Unboxed praised it as the best motion blur solution available, while PC Magazine deemed improvements minor for casual users. The absence of new GPUs aligns with industry trends, as AMD and Intel also skipped dedicated graphics launches. Rumors of a 50-series Super refresh, featuring up to 24GB RAM via denser chips, were likely thwarted by late-2025 RAM shortages fueled by AI data center needs, prioritizing Nvidia's more profitable segments.
