AMD FSR: An Open-Source Upscaling Solution That Can Double FPS, But With a Catch

For PC game enthusiasts, especially those new to AMD graphics cards, the FSR option in AMD Software might often be seen. FSR stands for FidelityFX Super Resolution, an upscaling feature introduced in 2021 to simulate high-resolution output on devices with limited specifications. Unlike Nvidia's DLSS, which is exclusive to RTX cards, FSR is open-source, meaning it can theoretically run on any GPU, including those coming to PlayStation 5.

Since its launch, FSR has continuously evolved with various machine learning-based tools. The latest iteration, dubbed Redstone, offers frame generation to artificially boost frame rates, ray regeneration to reduce noise when ray-tracing is active, and radiance caching to lower the computational cost of real-time lighting. According to AMD's benchmarks, the Frame Generation feature can increase 4K frame rates in popular games like "God of War: Ragnarok" by at least 200%, while "Cyberpunk 2077" shows an increase of up to 470%. Although the results are not always perfect, FSR is worth trying for those looking to maximize performance without overclocking.

However, not all users need FSR. If your PC can already run games at ultra settings with stable frame rates, this feature is unnecessary. FSR is designed to help systems struggling to reach 60fps or wanting to play at higher resolutions than their device's capabilities. Other limitations include potential ghosting and visual artifacts, especially at low frame rates, as well as reports of screen tearing and input lag. FSR also won't help if the CPU is a bottleneck, and in multi-monitor setups with high refresh rates, the addition of artificial frames can worsen stability.

"FSR is a technology aimed at providing a better gaming experience for users with mid-range devices, but it's important to remember that the results will not be equivalent to a super high-end PC," said a technology analyst.

In Indonesia, where high-end graphics card prices are still relatively expensive, FSR becomes an attractive solution for gamers on a limited budget. By enabling FSR, users can enjoy 4K resolution games or high frame rates without incurring significant costs for hardware upgrades. Furthermore, FSR's open-source nature allows for widespread adoption across various devices, including consoles, which can accelerate the technology's penetration in the country's gaming market.

Activating FSR is quite easy: reduce the game's resolution, open the graphics settings menu, and select FSR if available. You can also enable FSR 4 in the AMD Software application, which will override FSR 3.1 support in games, allowing the use of new features even if the game doesn't officially support them. As this technology continues to evolve, the question is how quickly game developers will adopt FSR 4 and whether Nvidia will respond with similar innovations to remain competitive.