Do You Really Need Ray Tracing & DLSS/FSR for Gaming?
When shopping for a new gaming PC or graphics card, you’ve probably seen terms like ray tracing, DLSS, and FSR everywhere. They’re often used as headline features — but do you actually need them to enjoy modern PC gaming?
At AWD-IT, we build gaming PCs for every type of player, from competitive esports gamers to immersive single‑player fans. In this guide, we’ll explain what ray tracing and DLSS/FSR really do, who benefits most from them, and whether they’re essential for your next upgrade.
What Is Ray Tracing in Games?
Ray tracing is a rendering technique that simulates how light behaves in the real world. In games, this translates to:
- More realistic lighting
- Accurate reflections (mirrors, water, glass)
- Natural-looking shadows
- Improved immersion in supported titles
Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2, Minecraft RTX, and Spider-Man Remastered showcase ray tracing at its best.
The downside?
Ray tracing is very demanding on GPU performance. Turning it on can significantly reduce frame rates — especially at higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K.
Bottom line: Ray tracing improves visual quality, but it’s not necessary to enjoy great-looking games.
What Are DLSS and FSR?
This is where DLSS (NVIDIA) and FSR (AMD) come in.
Both technologies use upscaling to improve performance by rendering games at a lower internal resolution, then intelligently scaling the image up.
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling)
- Uses AI and dedicated hardware on NVIDIA RTX GPUs
- Offers excellent image quality with strong performance gains
- Widely supported in modern AAA games
FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution)
- Works on most modern GPUs (AMD, NVIDIA, Intel)
- No AI hardware required
- Continues to improve with newer versions
Why gamers love them
- Higher FPS without lowering settings
- Makes ray tracing more playable
- Ideal for high-resolution or high-refresh gaming
Both technologies use upscaling to improve performance by rendering games at a lower internal resolution
Best Sim Racing Setup for Beginners: Start With the Essentials
You don’t need a full cockpit immediately. A well‑chosen beginner setup helps you develop skills faster and keeps costs under control.
1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Most games still look fantastic without ray tracing, especially when running on high or ultra settings
Do You Need Ray Tracing for Gaming?
✅ Yes, if you:
- Play cinematic, single‑player AAA titles
- Value immersion and visual realism
- Have a mid-to-high-end RTX or Radeon GPU
- Game at 1440p or 4K
❌ No, if you:
- Mainly play competitive games (CS2, Valorant, Fortnite)
- Prioritise maximum FPS and low input lag
- Use a budget or older GPU
- Game at 1080p on high refresh rates
Most games still look fantastic without ray tracing, especially when running on high or ultra settings.
Do You Need DLSS or FSR?
DLSS and FSR aren’t mandatory — but they’re becoming increasingly valuable.
✅ You’ll benefit most if you:
- Want smoother performance in new AAA releases
- Plan to game at 1440p or 4K
- Use ray tracing
- Want longevity from your GPU purchase
Even mid-range GPUs can feel “next-gen” with upscaling enabled.
Even mid-range GPUs can feel “next-gen” with upscaling enabled.
Which GPU Is Right for You?
|
Gaming Resolution
|
Best Choice For
|
|
1080p
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Competitive gaming, high FPS, budget builds
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1440p
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Balanced performance & visuals
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| 4K |
Ultra settings, cinematic visuals
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Ray Tracing vs Performance: What Should You Prioritise?
For most gamers, the best setup looks like this:
- Competitive games: Ray tracing OFF, DLSS/FSR optional, prioritise FPS
- Single-player games: Ray tracing ON (if supported), DLSS/FSR enabled
- Budget builds: Focus on raw performance and upscaling support
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — it depends on how and what you play.
At AWD-IT, we help you balance performance, visuals, and value based on your gaming needs and budget.
So, What Should You Buy?
When choosing a gaming PC or graphics card in 2026 and beyond:
- Ray tracing is a nice-to-have, not a must-have
- DLSS/FSR support is highly recommended for future-proofing
- Raw performance still matters — especially at 1080p
At AWD-IT, we help you balance performance, visuals, and value based on your gaming needs and budget.
VRAM Matters More Than Ever
Modern games are using higher‑resolution textures, detailed environments, and advanced lighting effects. This makes VRAM capacity increasingly important, especially at higher resolutions.
- 1080p gaming: 6–8GB VRAM is typically ideal
- 1440p gaming: 8–12GB VRAM offers better future‑proofing
- 4K gaming: 12GB+ VRAM is strongly recommended
If you’re planning to keep your system for several years, choosing a GPU with additional VRAM can make a noticeable difference in long‑term performance.
How AWD‑IT Builds Future‑Ready Gaming PCs
At AWD‑IT, our approach is simple:
✔ Smart component selection
✔ Upgrade‑friendly designs
✔ Honest advice, not buzzwords
✔ Maximum value for UK gamers
Every system is built with real‑world gaming longevity in mind—not marketing hype.
RAM Speed vs Capacity: What Matters More?
For gaming in 2026:
- 16GB is the minimum
- 32GB is ideal for modern titles and multitasking
But once you have enough capacity, speed and latency matter more than adding extra RAM.
Example: ✅ 16GB DDR4 3600MHz
❌ 32GB DDR4 2400MHz
Faster RAM wins in gaming performance every time.
You can read more about RAM here
Our gaming PCs are configured with balanced CPU, GPU and RAM
Common RAM Mistakes We See (and How to Avoid Them)
At AWD‑IT, these are the most common issues we help customers fix:
❌ Buying slow RAM to save money
❌ Mixing RAM kits with different speeds
❌ Forgetting to enable XMP/EXPO in BIOS
❌ Pairing high‑end GPUs with entry‑level memory
✅ Our gaming PCs are configured with balanced CPU, GPU and RAM — so no component holds the system back.
Ray Tracing & Upscaling: Do You Need Them?
Ray tracing adds realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections — but it’s also demanding. That’s why modern GPUs support smart upscaling technologies, which boost FPS while keeping image quality sharp.
When Ray Tracing Makes Sense:
- Story‑driven AAA games
- 1440p and 4K gaming setups
- Players who prioritise visuals over raw FPS
When It’s Less Important:
- Competitive esports titles
- Budget 1080p gaming builds
✅ At AWD‑IT, we always recommend enabling these features only when they enhance your experience — not at the expense of smooth gameplay.
Ray tracing adds realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections
Tower air coolers should pull air from the front and push it towards the rear exhaust.
5. CPU Cooling & AIO Placement
Air Coolers
Tower air coolers should pull air from the front and push it towards the rear exhaust.
Browse high‑performance air coolers:
AIO Liquid Coolers
Best placement for airflow:
- Front‑mounted AIO → Intake
- Top‑mounted AIO → Exhaust
AIO cooling solutions available here:
⚠️ Avoid bottom‑mounted radiators — they trap heat and restrict airflow.
6. Cable Management Improves Airflow
Neat cabling isn’t just cosmetic — it directly improves airflow.
✅ Route cables behind the motherboard tray
✅ Keep GPU intake fans clear
✅ Use PSU shrouds properly
Power supply upgrades with cleaner cabling:
7. Keep Your PC Clean
Even the best airflow setup fails if dust builds up.
Maintenance tips:
- Clean dust filters every 4–6 weeks
- Replace clogged airflow filters
- Re‑check temperatures after cleaning
Why Buy Your GPU from AWD‑IT?
- ✅ Expert‑tested components
- ✅ UK‑based support & fast delivery
- ✅ Award‑winning custom gaming PCs
- ✅ Built by gamers, for gamers
Whether you’re upgrading or building from scratch, AWD‑IT makes it easy to get the best GPU for gaming at any resolution.
Final Verdict: Are Ray Tracing & DLSS/FSR Worth It?
✅ Ray tracing: Great for immersion, optional for most gamers
✅ DLSS/FSR: Extremely useful, especially for modern games
✅ Best choice: A GPU that supports upscaling and delivers strong base performance
If you’re unsure what’s right for you, our team is always happy to help you choose the perfect gaming PC — without paying for features you don’t need.
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