AMD has confirmed that FidelityFX Super Resolution 4.0 (FSR 4) will use AI upscaling technology. This marks a significant departure from previous versions of FSR, which relied on a combination of spatial and temporal upscaling, anti-aliasing, and other techniques to enhance image quality.
Unlike Nvidia’s DLSS and Intel’s XeSS, AMD’s previous FSR versions did not rely on AI or machine learning. However, AMD’s solution supported a wider range of hardware, but typically delivered lower image quality. The incorporation of AI in FSR 4 aims to improve image quality and maximize power efficiency.
The use of AI upscaling technology is becoming increasingly popular in the industry. Sony’s PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, a key feature of the PlayStation 5 Pro, is based on AMD’s graphics tech. Additionally, the upcoming successor to the Nintendo Switch is expected to support DLSS.
AMD’s Jack Huynh explained that FSR 4 will focus on maximizing battery life on handheld gaming PCs through frame generation. This suggests that FSR 4 might be optimized for the AMD Z2 Extreme mobile processor, which is expected to release early next year.
It remains unclear whether FSR 4 will be available on more traditional products like RDNA 4 graphics cards, or whether older AMD GPUs will support the new upscaling technology. However, AMD typically allows its software to work across a wider range of hardware, including competitors’ devices.