Summary
**AMD** is extending its **FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 4** upscaling technology to older graphics cards, specifically those based on the **RDNA 2** and **RDNA 3** architectures. This move, over a year after the initial FSR 4 announcement, aims to broaden the accessibility of its performance-enhancing features. However, the company acknowledges that implementing FSR 4.1 on these older GPUs might result in a **noticeable performance hit** compared to newer hardware, a crucial detail for gamers weighing the upgrade.
Key Takeaways
- AMD is expanding FSR 4 upscaling to older RDNA 2 and RDNA 3 GPUs.
- The technology's implementation on these older cards may result in a performance hit.
- This move aims to increase the accessibility of FSR 4's performance benefits.
- Gamers should await specific benchmarks to gauge the real-world impact on older hardware.
- The decision reflects AMD's strategy to support a broader range of its GPU user base.
Balanced Perspective
AMD is indeed bringing **FSR 4** to older hardware, a move that was anticipated given the company's strategy with previous FSR versions. The key technical detail is the acknowledgment of a potential performance reduction on **RDNA 2** and **RDNA 3** GPUs when running **FSR 4.1**. This implies that while the feature will be available, its effectiveness and the degree of performance uplift will be hardware-dependent, a common characteristic of upscaling technologies that rely on specific hardware features.
Optimistic View
This is a significant win for **AMD**'s existing user base. By enabling **FSR 4** on older cards like the **Radeon RX 6000 series**, AMD is democratizing access to cutting-edge visual enhancements and performance boosts, potentially extending the viable lifespan of these GPUs and allowing more gamers to experience titles at higher frame rates without requiring a costly hardware upgrade. It signals a commitment to backward compatibility and a user-centric approach to technology rollout.
Critical View
The announcement raises concerns about whether **FSR 4** will truly be a benefit or a burden on older cards. If the 'bigger performance hit' is substantial, it could negate the intended purpose of upscaling, leading to a worse experience than simply running the game at native resolution. This could be seen as AMD pushing its newer hardware by making older cards perform less optimally with its latest features, forcing users to upgrade sooner than they might have planned.
Source
Originally reported by Ars Technica