The video reviews AMD’s FSR Redstone Frame Generation update, highlighting improved image quality and better motion handling but criticizing persistent frame pacing issues that cause uneven motion and visual artifacts in many games. While the update shows promise, inconsistent performance and limited feature support make it a partial rollout, with a call for AMD to enhance frame pacing consistency for a smoother user experience.
The video discusses the launch of AMD’s Evasar Redstone update, focusing primarily on the new machine learning upgrade for FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) Frame Generation on RDNA4 GPUs. While the update brings improvements in image quality, particularly through better handling of motion vectors and shadows in generated frames, the launch is described as somewhat incomplete. Key features like the Radiance Cache and ray regeneration are limited to specific titles, and support for older GPUs remains absent, making the update feel like a partial rollout.
A significant quality improvement with the new FSR MLFG (Machine Learning Frame Generation) is demonstrated using Cyberpunk 2077 as an example. The update better integrates optical flow data with world features lacking motion vectors, such as shadows and particles, resulting in smoother and more convincing frame generation that is closer in quality to NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 frame generation. However, despite these visual gains, the update inherits persistent issues with frame pacing that have plagued previous FSR iterations.
The core problem lies in inconsistent and poor frame pacing, which is vividly illustrated using the game Industria 2. Frame times fluctuate unpredictably, causing uneven motion and “stop-and-go” effects on variable refresh rate (VRR) displays. The presence of “runt frames”—extremely short frames that appear as visual tearing rather than smooth motion—further degrades the experience. While some titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Blacksmith Wukong show better frame pacing, the inconsistency remains a notable concern across games and even within different gameplay moments in the same title.
The video emphasizes the importance of accurate frame time measurement methods to fully understand these issues. It compares various tools and techniques, highlighting that traditional frame rate graphs can be misleading. More precise methods like FCAT and camera-based analysis, as used by Hardware Unboxed, reveal the true extent of frame time irregularities and runt frames that internal metrics often miss. This detailed analysis underscores the need for AMD to address frame pacing robustness to ensure a consistently smooth experience for users.
In conclusion, while AMD’s FSR MLFG update marks a significant step forward in frame generation quality, the persistent frame pacing problems limit its practical benefits. The presenter calls on AMD to improve the consistency and smoothness of frame pacing across titles to make frame generation a reliable feature. Until then, users may experience mixed results, with some games running smoothly and others suffering from noticeable stutter and visual artifacts. The video recommends watching Hardware Unboxed’s comprehensive coverage and encourages viewers to stay tuned for future improvements.