AMD has successfully released FSR 4 for RDNA 3 GPUs, marking a significant advancement in machine learning-based super resolution technology. This new version was quickly integrated into Proton Experimental on the Valve Steam Machine, replacing the previous FSR 3 across many games. While FSR 4 is more demanding on the GPU, it delivers markedly better image quality, especially in challenging scenarios like disocclusion and subpixel detail, as demonstrated in titles such as Horizon Forbidden West and Alan Wake 2. The technology shows comparable effectiveness on both RDNA 3 and RDNA 4 architectures, with substantial improvements over FSR 3 in visual fidelity and artifact reduction.
Testing on the Valve Steam Machine, which uses a modest Navi 33 GPU, reveals that FSR 4 enables decent 1440p gaming performance despite the hardware’s limited power. Games like Crimson Desert and Resident Evil Requiem benefit from FSR 4’s balanced and performance modes, offering improved frame rates and better image quality compared to FSR 3, though performance gains vary by title. Cyberpunk 2077 presents more modest improvements due to its rendering demands, but dynamic resolution scaling combined with FSR 4 still provides a smooth experience on 4K displays. Frame generation attempts in some games showed mixed results, often introducing input latency and unstable frame pacing.
When applied to higher-end RDNA 3 desktop GPUs like the RX 7800 XT and RX 7900 XTX, FSR 4’s benefits become even more pronounced, especially in ray-traced workloads. Performance boosts with FSR 4 in ray-traced titles such as Resident Evil Requiem and Cyberpunk 2077 are significant, often surpassing those seen on the Steam Machine. Gameplay tests demonstrate stable 60 FPS experiences at high settings and resolutions with FSR 4, highlighting its ability to enhance both image quality and performance on powerful RDNA 3 hardware, making ray tracing more viable.
Despite the clear advantages, FSR 4 adoption remains slower than competitor technologies like DLSS, with some reliance on third-party tools like OptiScaler to enable support on certain platforms and games. This is particularly evident on Steam Machine and Linux setups, where integration can be complex. The video stresses the need for AMD and game developers to collaborate more closely to ensure broader and more seamless implementation of FSR 4, arguing that withholding such features when DLSS is available is unjustifiable and that community and media pressure are essential to drive progress.
In conclusion, FSR 4 on RDNA 3 GPUs delivers substantial improvements in image quality and performance across a wide range of titles and hardware tiers. While more demanding than FSR 3, its superior upscaling capabilities make it a valuable tool for enhancing gaming experiences, from modest Steam Machines to high-end desktop rigs. The technology revitalizes older RDNA 3 cards and opens new possibilities for ray tracing performance. However, wider adoption and better developer support are crucial for FSR 4 to realize its full potential, and ongoing community engagement will be key to encouraging this progress.
