AMD FSR 4 vs. Nvidia DLSS 4 at 4K resolution

AMD FSR 4 offers substantial improvements against Nvidia DLSS 4 at 4K.

: AMD's FSR 4 provides significant advancements over FSR 3.1, especially in Quality and Performance modes at 4K resolution. While DLSS 4 holds a slight edge in terms of stability and texture preservation, FSR 4 shows marked improvement in fine detail and upscaling capabilities. FSR 4 is competitive with DLSS 3 in many aspects and occasionally surpasses DLSS 4 in specific renderings. However, game support remains a challenge, with FSR 4 not yet integrated into as many titles as DLSS 4.

AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4) and Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling 4 (DLSS 4) represent the latest advancements in AI-driven upscaling technologies, aiming to enhance gaming performance and visual fidelity at 4K resolution. FSR 4, exclusive to AMD’s RDNA 4 GPUs like the RX 9070 XT, introduces significant improvements over its predecessor, FSR 3.1, by reducing ghosting and enhancing image stability. In contrast, DLSS 4, compatible with a broader range of Nvidia GPUs, leverages a transformer-based AI model and introduces Multi Frame Generation (MFG), allowing the generation of multiple AI-created frames between traditionally rendered ones, thereby boosting performance substantially.

Performance benchmarks indicate that FSR 4 in Quality mode delivers a 35% performance improvement over native TAA on the RX 9070 XT, while DLSS 4’s Quality mode offers a 31% gain on comparable Nvidia hardware. However, DLSS 4’s MFG feature can further amplify frame rates, especially in demanding titles like “Cyberpunk 2077,” where enabling DLSS in Balanced and Performance modes improved frame rates to 47fps and 59fps, respectively, with MFG pushing it up to 117fps. FSR 4, while lacking an equivalent to MFG, still provides notable enhancements over its previous versions, particularly in reducing motion artifacts and improving clarity.

In terms of image quality, DLSS 4’s transformer model offers superior detail resolution and edge stability compared to FSR 4. FSR 4 has made strides in reducing ghosting and improving anti-aliasing over FSR 3, but it still falls short of DLSS 4’s capabilities in handling complex motion and maintaining image clarity. Nevertheless, FSR 4’s open-source nature and broader hardware compatibility make it an attractive option for users without access to Nvidia’s latest GPUs.

Compatibility-wise, DLSS 4’s advanced features like MFG are exclusive to the RTX 50 series, whereas its transformer-based upscaling is available across all RTX GPUs. FSR 4, on the other hand, is currently limited to AMD’s RDNA 4 GPUs, with potential future support for older models. This distinction means that while DLSS 4 offers more advanced features, FSR 4 provides a more accessible solution for a wider range of hardware configurations.

In summary, DLSS 4 currently leads in both performance and image quality, particularly with its MFG feature and transformer-based upscaling. However, FSR 4 represents a significant improvement over its predecessors and offers a viable alternative for users seeking enhanced gaming experiences without the need for the latest Nvidia hardware. As both technologies continue to evolve, the gap between them may narrow, offering gamers more choices for optimizing their gaming experiences at 4K resolution.

Sources: TechSpot, TechRadar, Reddit

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