FSR 4 INT8 on Xbox Series X with RX 6700: 29% FPS Loss vs FSR 3
As technology continues to evolve, the demand for high-performance gaming experiences has never been greater. Gamers often find themselves in a constant race to keep up with the latest hardware requirements, especially as game graphics become more demanding. However, the rapid advancements in hardware are not always matched by software optimization, leading to a reliance on upscaling techniques to maintain playable frame rates. This adaptation has become necessary, as the gaming industry shows little sign of changing its trajectory in the near future. While NVIDIA’s DLSS has dominated the landscape, AMD's FSR and Intel's XeSS have emerged as viable alternatives, particularly with the latest iteration of FSR, which aims to push boundaries further. FSR 4 brings the promise of enhanced performance and visuals even to older graphics cards, opening up new possibilities for gamers using legacy systems.
In this discussion, we delve into the capabilities of AMD's FSR 4 INT8 technology, exploring its performance on various platforms, including an emulation of the Xbox Series X using an RX 6700. We will also examine its performance on the Steam Deck and analyze how it stacks up against previous versions like FSR 3 and other upscaling technologies.
Performance Testing of AMD FSR 4 INT8 on Non-RDNA 4 Systems and Xbox Series X Simulation
The evolution of FSR has been marked by significant quality improvements, particularly when comparing FSR 1 through FSR 4. The latest version, FSR 4, manages to enhance visual fidelity while drastically reducing or eliminating ghosting artifacts that can mar the gaming experience. Digital Foundry has recently taken a closer look at FSR 4, particularly its INT8 variant, which allows compatibility with older graphics cards, including RDNA 2 and RDNA 3 architectures.
Notably, the Xbox Series X stands out among current-generation consoles as the only one equipped with an RDNA 2 GPU that supports the full set of instructions necessary for utilizing FSR 4 INT8. To gauge its performance, a simulation was conducted using an RX 6700, which closely mirrors the capabilities of the Xbox Series X. The results revealed significant performance disparities. For instance, in the game Horizon Forbidden West, running at 4K resolution, FSR 4 INT8 in Performance mode yielded a mere 28% increase in FPS compared to native resolution. In a surprising twist, FSR 3 in Performance mode surpassed FSR 4 by 29% in terms of frame rates for this title. Even Intel's XeSS in Balanced mode outperformed FSR 4 INT8 by around 15%.
Testing FSR 4 INT8 on Steam Deck: Insights and Limitations
The Steam Deck has also been a testing ground for FSR 4 INT8, yet the results reveal that its benefits may not justify the transition from FSR 3, with one notable exception: games utilizing Ray Tracing that push the RDNA 2 graphics capabilities to their limits. Performance benchmarks indicate that FSR 4 INT8 consistently lags behind its predecessors in terms of frame rate improvements, but it excels in visual quality.
For example, in a comparative analysis at 1440p resolution, FSR 4 has shown to outperform both FSR 3 and XeSS in Balanced mode in terms of image quality. However, in specific titles like Alan Wake 2, FSR 4 in Performance mode only achieved a modest 4% increase in average FPS compared to FSR 2 in Balanced mode, while still enhancing image quality significantly. This progression underscores AMD's dedication to enhancing its upscaling technologies with each new iteration.
- In Cyberpunk 2077 on the Steam Deck, FSR 4 Balanced provided approximately a 15% improvement over native resolution.
- In contrast, FSR 3 Balanced outperformed FSR 4 by about 30%.
- The most significant advantage of FSR 4 arises in scenarios where graphical resources are severely constrained, especially in demanding titles with Ray Tracing.
- For example, in Control, frame rates jumped from 21 FPS at 720p native to 40 FPS with FSR 4 Balanced.
Is the Xbox Series X Compatible with FSR 4?
One of the critical points of interest for gamers is the compatibility of FSR 4 with the Xbox Series X. As previously noted, this console is uniquely positioned to take advantage of FSR 4 due to its RDNA 2 GPU support. This compatibility opens the door for enhanced gaming experiences on the platform, although the actual performance gains may vary by game and settings.
The potential benefits of FSR 4 on the Xbox Series X include:
- Increased frame rates in graphically intensive titles.
- Better image quality compared to native resolution in many instances.
- Enhanced performance in older titles that may struggle on current hardware.
With the right optimizations from developers, FSR 4 could significantly improve the gaming experience on the Xbox Series X, particularly for those playing demanding titles.
Will FSR 3 Make Its Way to Xbox Consoles?
As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the further integration of FSR technologies, questions arise about the future availability of FSR 3 on Xbox consoles. Given the hardware's compatibility and the success of FSR 4, it seems plausible that developers could implement FSR 3 in future updates or new titles.
Factors that may influence the adoption of FSR 3 on Xbox include:
- The growing demand for better graphics and performance in games.
- The success of FSR technologies in enhancing the user experience across various platforms.
- The potential for FSR 3 to run efficiently on existing hardware capabilities.
As the landscape of gaming continues to evolve, it is clear that technologies like FSR are essential in bridging the gap between hardware limitations and the demands of modern gaming.
For a deeper look at how FSR technologies impact gaming performance, you can check out this insightful video:
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