AMD FSR

AMD FSR. It is a spatial upscaling technology developed by Advanced Micro Devices for rendering video games at a higher resolution than the native output of the graphics processing unit. The technology is designed to boost frame rates while maintaining high image quality, providing a performance enhancement similar to competing solutions like NVIDIA DLSS. As part of the FidelityFX suite, it is notable for its open-source nature and broad hardware compatibility, supporting graphics cards from multiple vendors.

Overview

The primary goal of the technology is to improve rendering performance in demanding applications, particularly modern video games, by using advanced algorithms to reconstruct a lower-resolution image into a higher-resolution display. This process allows graphics cards, including those from AMD Radeon, NVIDIA GeForce, and Intel Arc series, to render frames more quickly. It was first introduced to the public during a presentation at Computex 2021, with its initial implementation quickly adopted by game developers. The approach is integrated into popular game engines like Unreal Engine and Unity, facilitating widespread adoption across the video game industry.

Technical details

The system operates by taking a rendered image at a sub-native resolution and applying a sophisticated upscaling pass that sharpens details and reduces artifacts. The original version utilized a spatial upscaling algorithm that sampled color data from neighboring pixels, while subsequent iterations incorporated temporal data from previous frames to improve stability and clarity. Key techniques within the pipeline include lanczos resampling and edge-adaptive contrast-aware sharpening, which help reconstruct fine textures and geometric edges. The processing is performed on the shader cores of the GPU, making it independent of specialized hardware such as AI accelerators or tensor cores found in other architectures.

Versions and development

The first generation, launched in mid-2021, provided a foundational spatial upscaling method with multiple quality presets. A significant update, version 2.0, was unveiled at GDC 2022, introducing a temporal upscaling solution that leveraged motion vectors for superior image reconstruction. The subsequent FSR 3 release, announced at Gamescom 2023, added frame generation technology, creating entirely new frames to further increase perceived fluidity. The most recent iteration, version 3.1, focused on improving temporal stability and reducing visual artifacts like ghosting, with updates distributed through drivers and software development kits.

Comparison with other upscaling technologies

The main alternative in the market is NVIDIA DLSS, which relies on dedicated AI accelerator hardware and a proprietary AI model trained on NVIDIA Supercomputer systems. In contrast, the open-source approach does not require specific machine learning hardware, allowing it to function on a wider array of hardware, including older GPUs from AMD and NVIDIA. Another competing standard is Intel XeSS, which offers both a hardware-accelerated path for Intel Arc GPUs and a fallback shader-based mode. Independent analyses from outlets like Digital Foundry and Tom's Hardware often compare the image quality and performance uplift of these technologies across various titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Horizon Forbidden West.

Implementation and support

Adoption is facilitated by its integration into major game engines and its availability under the permissive MIT License, allowing developers to implement it freely. The FidelityFX SDK provides the necessary tools, and support is confirmed for platforms including Microsoft Windows, Linux via Proton, and the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. Notable games that have implemented the technology include Forspoken, Starfield, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. Performance and compatibility are also a focus for Steam Deck developers, who utilize the technology to enhance gameplay on the portable system.

Category:Advanced Micro Devices Category:Graphics software Category:Video game development