The AMD FSR 3.1 update is finally here, taking the third generation of FidelitFX Super Resolution to the next level. It comes with several improvements over its predecessor, but most notably, it works simultaneously with other upscalers.
With AMD FSR 3, Frame Generation is inherently tied to upscaling. You can only activate one by turning on the other. Now, Team Red has decoupled the pair in 3.1, allowing Frame Generation to work independently.
If you’re wondering why this is important, it’s because AMD’s technology works on any graphics card regardless of brand. You could use the feature alongside Intel XeSS or even Nvidia DLSS should you fancy. It’ll simply sandwich new frames in between the upscaled ones. It’s especially useful for RTX 2000 and 3000 graphics cards, which otherwise can’t access Nvidia’s own solution.
This isn’t the only bundle of joy in the update. AMD FSR 3.1 also improves flickering, shimmering, and fuzziness. In previous iterations, objects in the distance would suffer the wrath of the algorithm trying to figure out if the detail is worth keeping. It’d become flaky, popping in and out of view. It’s distracting and sometimes downright irritating.
The good news is that we have some comparisons to feast our eyes on. The bad news is that the feature is only available in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and said comparison contrasts with AMD FSR 2.2 rather than the later 3.0 version. Actual improvements might not be half as noticeable.
You might not need an AMD GPU to use the feature, but I do recommend checking out AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX on Amazon. It’s currently on sale and well worth the price.