Intel has recently made a significant step forward in the realm of super sampling technology with the release of its XeSS 1.3 SDK. This latest update is designed to elevate gaming performance with the addition of new presets and scaling factors, as well as improved XMX and dp4A models, all aimed at refining both efficiency and image quality.
Breathing New Life into Super Sampling
The Intel XeSS technology is making strides in the gaming industry, already being supported by over a hundred titles, with more anticipated due to the accessible nature of the SDK. The primary goal of the version 1.3 update is to provide enhancements in several key areas, introducing new presets and scaling factors that not only boost performance but also improve image quality through updated models.
Performance Optimization Highlights
Intel has conducted performance optimization showcases using a modified build of XeSS incorporating the version 1.3 updates on titles not yet officially running the 1.3 builds. With a setup utilizing an Intel Arc A750 GPU and Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, games like Hitman 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Hogwarts Legacy were tested under various settings and scenarios. The outcome revealed that there is an average performance increase of around 10% on the Arc A750 GPU and over 8% on the Ultra 7 155H CPU when compared with older XeSS versions, reaching as high as a 28% boost in specific games.
Advances in Visual Quality
Besides performance, Intel’s XeSS 1.3 SDK also focuses on visual fidelity. The updated XMX and dp4A models bring advancements in image reconstruction, offering improved anti-aliasing, reducing ghosting, and enhancing overall temporal stability. This results in a crisper, more detailed gaming experience with fewer artifacts, as demonstrated with in-game examples such as in Like a Dragon: Ishin!
New Quality Presets and Scaling Factors
The update ushers in several new quality presets for XeSS, including Ultra Quality Plus, Ultra Performance, and Native Anti-Aliasing – the latter serving as Intel’s counterparts to NVIDIA’s DLAA and AMD’s FSR 3 Native mode. These new modes offer varying degrees of scaling factors from a high-fidelity 1.3x scaling in Ultra Quality Plus mode to the aggressive 3x scaling in Ultra Performance mode. The Native Anti-Aliasing mode maintains the game’s native resolution, applying XeSS anti-aliasing to enhance image fidelity.
Future Developments in Store
Developers now have access to the Intel XeSS 1.3 SDK via GitHub, where Intel will continue to collaborate with them to streamline the integration of this technology into current and future gaming titles. Furthermore, gamers can look forward to Intel’s forthcoming development: the XeSS Frame Generation, which promises to bring even more potential enhancements to the gaming experience.
As technology evolves, developers are provided with more tools to create visually stunning and high-performance gaming experiences, and Intel’s XeSS 1.3 SDK is a testament to this progress. With its combination of heightened performance and superior image quality, the future of gaming looks brighter and more immersive than ever.
