In a significant development for gaming enthusiasts, AMD made an exciting announcement at the Game Developer Conference 2024, revealing the release of FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 3.1 set to be launched in Q2 of 2024. This next iteration of FSR promises to deliver standalone frame generation and visual quality enhancements, addressing some of the feedback from earlier versions.
The first game to feature FSR 3.1 integration will be the popular title “Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart”. AMD has signaled that FSR 3 adoption is gaining momentum, with 40 games already making use of the technology, including 19 currently available games and 21 upcoming releases.
Improvements in Image Quality with FSR 3.1
FSR 3.1 targets image quality improvements with two key enhancements:
– Improved temporal stability in both static scenes and during motion, which aims to reduce unwanted flickering and “fizziness” around moving objects.
– Ghosting reduction and more effective detail preservation are part of AMD’s quest to mitigate some common issues seen in earlier versions.
Benchmarking shows that FSR 2, which powers image upscaling within FSR 3, does not match the visual quality of competing technologies like NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), particularly in Performance mode. However, the advancements in FSR 3.1 are set to bridge this gap.
Frame Generation Changes in FSR 3.1
A significant update in FSR 3.1 is the “decoupling” of the frame generation component from image upscaling. This separation allows for FSR 3.1’s frame generation technology to potentially be paired with other upscaling methods. This is a major move that recognizes the varied preferences among users and the diversity of available hardware.
Interestingly, FSR’s frame generation is compatible across a broad spectrum of modern GPUs, including those from NVIDIA’s RTX 20 and RTX 30 series. Contrastingly, NVIDIA’s DLSS 3 is limited to their RTX 40 series GPUs, which has raised some concerns among users of earlier series GPUs.
By providing the option to use FSR 3 frame generation with other upscaling solutions, AMD offers a solution that can appeal to users who are looking for a balanced approach to frame rate enhancement without compromising on image quality, including those with NVIDIA hardware.
Additional Features and Console Support
FSR 3.1 isn’t just about PC gaming. With the introduction of a new FidelityFX API and support for both Vulkan and the Xbox Game Developer Kit (GDK), the integration of FSR 3.1 into console games becomes a more viable prospect. This development could be a game-changer, especially for consoles like the Xbox Series S, where achieving a stable 60 FPS at high graphical fidelity has been a challenge.
Conclusion
The improvements presented by FSR 3.1 are a step forward for AMD in the competitive field of game graphics technology. They indicate a dedication to addressing the demands of a diverse gaming audience and a drive to offer adaptable, cross-platform solutions that enhance gaming experiences across a range of hardware. As we await the arrival of FSR 3.1 in the coming months, it is clear that the landscape of game technology is evolving, with an increasing focus on performance and visual fidelity.
