FidelityFX Super Resolution launched, AMD’s alternative to Nvidia’s DLSS

Dimapur, June 22 (EMN): After being announced at the Computex 2021, Advanced Micro Devices‘ (AMD) FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), its new image upscaling technology, is finally here.

Using new ‘advanced edge reconstruction’ and sharpening techniques, AMD is offering an alternative solution to Nvidia‘s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) especially for gamers that do not have an RTX card.

Nvidia‘s DLSS produces far better image quality since it uses machine learning and AI algorithms. However, it cannot run on older GPUs that do not contain Nvidia‘s tensor cores. This is where AMD‘s FSR gains the advantage since it can run on older GPUs including Nvidia‘s own 10-series.

What is FidelityFX Super Resolution?

FidelityFX Super Resolution is AMD‘s answer to Nvidia‘s DLSS. Whereas DLSS needs neural networks and AI deep learning to upscale images, FSR uses “advanced spatial upscaling algorithms” to achieve its goal. According to AMD, “it does not rely on history buffers or motion vectors. Nor does it require any per-game training.” This is the biggest difference between the two upscaling techniques. Nvidia‘s DLSS may produce better results but AMD‘s FSR is far more compatible since it can run on older GPUs with reports suggesting that it could run on consoles as well.

How does AMD’s FSR work?

FSR like DLSS lowers the render resolution of the game to significantly improve performance then upscales the lower resolution input back to a higher one. While DLSS uses neural networks to learn and “predict” the upscale image, FSR relies on an “algorithm to improve the super-resolution output quality to up to near-native resolution image quality.”

FSR analyses the source image to detect edges and then reconstructs them in high definition at a higher resolution. Post-process effects like film grain and chromatic aberration are then added on top of the resulting image. The result, according to AMD, is “a super-resolution image with super high-quality edges and distinctive pixel detail when compared to basic point or bilinear upscaling.”

AMD claims that FSR can deliver up to two times better performance in compatible games at a 4K resolution when using the ‘Performance’ preset.

Games that support AMD’s FSR

The amount of games that currently support FSR is quite small. AMD is banking on the open-source nature of FSR to encourage more developers to enable support in their games. With Nvidia announcing DLSS support for popular games like Rust and Doom Eternal, it would be interesting to see how AMD‘s FSR can gain momentum.

Here are some of the games that support FSR right now.

• Godfall
• The Riftbreaker
• Anno 1800
• Evil Genius 2
• Terminator Resistance
• Kingshunt
• 22 Racing Series

Here are some of the games that have been confirmed to recieve support for AMD‘s FSR.

• Far Cry 6
• Resident Evil Village
• Forspoken
• DOTA 2
• Necromunda Hired Gun
• Myst
• Baldur’s Gate
• Farming Simulator 22
• Edge of Eternity
• Vampire The Masquerade – Bloodhunt
• Asterigos
• Swordsman Remake