AMD has launched its FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 4.1 upscaling technology, making it available to a wider range of RDNA 3 GPUs ahead of its original July estimate. This update brings significant improvements, positioning FSR 4.1 as a strong competitor to Nvidia's DLSS in terms of performance and visual quality.
FSR 4.1 functions similarly to other spatial upscaling solutions, leveraging AI to render games at a lower resolution and then intelligently upscale them to a higher target resolution. This process can lead to substantial performance gains without a drastic loss in image clarity. The technology is already in use in Sony's PlayStation 5 Pro, where it forms the basis for the console's PSSR 2 upscaling.
Previously, FSR 4.1 was limited to AMD's flagship RX 9070 and 9070 XT graphics cards. Now, the technology is accessible to a broader spectrum of RDNA 3 GPUs, including popular models such as the 7800 XT and 7900 XTX. Users can access FSR 4.1 by updating to the latest version of AMD's Adrenalin software.
Looking ahead, AMD is also developing lightweight AI models to bring FSR 4.1 support to devices equipped with RDNA 3.5 APUs. This includes upcoming iterations of handheld PCs like Valve's Steam Machine and the Xbox ROG Ally X. The company is specifically optimizing these models to account for the lower memory bandwidth found in these devices.
Furthermore, AMD has committed to extending FSR 4.1 compatibility to even older RDNA 2 graphics cards, with support expected sometime in 2027. However, it is unlikely that this will extend to the graphics hardware within the original Valve Steam Deck.