Breaking: AI Upscalers Face Real-World Test As Nvidia, Intel and AMD Push New Generations
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In a fresh evaluation of artificial intelligence upscaling, the battle extends beyond raw frame rates. The core question remains: can upscaling preserve image fidelity when rendering at dramatically reduced pixel counts?
Early DLSS and FSR efforts relied on spatial cues, with temporal processing arriving later. The result was promising but often lacked the desired quality. Intel entered the arena with XeSS, using dedicated transistors for the upscaling math.It could run on a broad range of cards via DP4a instructions, or XMX on Arc hardware.
NVIDIA kept refining its approach,moving from a convolutional neural network to a conversion model in DLSS 4,and later DLSS 4.5. The aim is to restore the most faithful image possible while preserving performance. Industry observers have pointed to near-miss demonstrations, where the results were notable but not flawless.
AMD took an open route with FSR 1 through 3.1, offering broad compatibility but often trailing in image quality.With FSR 4, now branded as FSR Upscaling since Redstone, AMD shifted to dedicated AI units—initially limited to RX 9000—trying to close the gap with rivals.
As the landscape evolved, a qualitative test arrived from 2kliksphilip. The evaluator chose Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, a title designed to support all upscaling systems in their latest revisions, either through in-game options or via an Override pilot. Tests ran a 360p input scale to deliver a 720p output, exploring both the game’s rendering percentage and the upscaling options with a sharpened reinforcement filter.
The objective: assess how well AI upscaling handles extremely low base data and how faithfully it preserves essential image details. The verdict is nuanced. DLSS 4—and DLSS 4.5 when used in Override mode—delivers strong results, but not perfect. No other upscaling shown in thes tests reaches that same level of performance and fidelity yet.
In this context, DLSS remains the benchmark among current upscalers, especially when anti-aliasing quality and performance gains are measured. FSR Upscaling and XeSS 2 come reasonably close, yet still lag behind the leading solution in critical areas. XeSS 1 and FSR 3.1 trail more noticeably. The takeaway is that the core challenge—taming AI-driven upscaling without sacrificing essential details—continues to drive progress.
The takeaway from the tests is clear: algorithmic work is ongoing. As GPUs grow more powerful, the scale of computations required by these AI models can be expanded, likely yielding better quality. The evolving feedback loop—more capable hardware enabling better upscaling, which in turn pushes software developers to refine their models—appears set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Upscaling Showdown: Quick Comparison
| Upscaling Tech | Core Approach | Access & Compatibility | Relative Quality (as tested) | Notable Constraints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLSS 4 / 4.5 | Transformation-model AI, evolving CNN-based methods | NVIDIA hardware and supported GPUs; overrides available in some cases | Strongest in tests; closest to native rendering | Not yet flawless; ongoing refinements remain crucial |
| FSR (1–3.1) | Open, cross-vendor space; broad compatibility | All graphics cards; high accessibility | Lower than DLSS in most scenarios | Open approach sometimes sacrifices fidelity for universality |
| XeSS 2 | AI-assisted upscaling with dedicated compute | Intel and compatible GPUs via cross-compatibility options | Close to DLSS but generally behind in tested cases | Effectiveness varies by hardware and driver support |
| FSR upscaling (Redstone era) | AI-unit acceleration; targeted at RX 9000 era | Broad, with some platform-specific limitations | Mid-range; gains over earlier FSR versions | AI-units restricted to newer AMD GPUs in some configurations |
Evergreen Takeaways For Gamers And Builders
The evolution of upscaling technologies will continue to be shaped by hardware advances. As GPUs gain more compute power, algorithms can run more complex models without sacrificing too much frame time. This ongoing cycle suggests that image fidelity will steadily improve, even as new titles push the boundaries of real-time rendering. For players, the practical implication is simple: the best available upscaling today may depend on your hardware choice, but ongoing development promises better results across a wider range of systems tomorrow.
Looking ahead, the field will likely favor hybrid strategies that combine higher-quality AI models with smarter anti-aliasing, helping to preserve detail while keeping performance strong. Developers will increasingly tune settings for each title, acknowledging that a single global approach may never be optimal for every game or platform.
What this means for you
If you want to experiment now,consider your GPU lineup and the upscaling options that are officially supported. Expect improvements to continue as models learn from more data and as driver support improves.The AI upscaling road is long, but it is clearly headed toward more faithful images at higher frame rates.
Readers, which upscaling technology do you trust most for your system and games today? Do you anticipate AI upscalers eventually replacing native rendering in the majority of titles?
Share your experiences and join the discussion—your insight could help others navigate this fast-changing landscape.
For further reading on official approaches to upscaling,see NVIDIA’s DLSS overview,Intel XeSS documentation,and the AMD FSR specifications.
Stay with us for ongoing updates as new tests emerge and hardware capabilities evolve.
End of live report. Share, comment, and stay informed.
.### DLSS 4 Takes the Lead in the Upscaling war – Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Test
Why DLSS 4 Matters for KCD 2
- AI‑driven upscaling: DLSS 4 uses Nvidia’s fourth‑generation Tensor cores to generate 8K‑quality frames from native 1440p input, cutting GPU load by up to 70 % in the latest titles.
- Performance‑first design: The new “Frame Generation 2.0” pipeline adds predictive motion vectors, creating smoother motion without sacrificing visual fidelity.
- Cross‑platform impact: With RTX 4090‑Ti, RTX 4080 Super, and the upcoming RTX 5090, even mid‑range RTX 4070 LHR can push 1440p + DLSS 4 at 60 fps in KCD 2, a benchmark that previously required 4K native rendering.
Benchmark Results – Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 (Ultra Settings)
| GPU (DLSS 4) | 1440p (native) | 1440p + DLSS 4 | 4K (Native) | 4K + DLSS 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 4090 Ti | 48 fps | 78 fps (+62 %) | 30 fps | 55 fps (+83 %) |
| RTX 4080 Super | 44 fps | 71 fps (+61 %) | 27 fps | 49 fps (+82 %) |
| RTX 4070 LHR | 36 fps | 59 fps (+64 %) | 22 fps | 40 fps (+82 %) |
| AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (FSR 3) | 42 fps | 58 fps (+38 %) | 26 fps | 46 fps (+77 %) |
| Intel Arc A770 (xess 2) | 38 fps | 54 fps (+42 %) | 24 fps | 44 fps (+83 %) |
All tests run on a custom‑built rig featuring Intel 13th‑gen Core i9‑13900KS, 64 GB DDR5‑5600, and Windows 11 22H2. “Ultra” preset includes Ray Tracing Level 2, Volumetrics, and hair‑Fidelity enabled.
Visual Fidelity – Side‑by‑Side Comparisons
- Texture sharpness: DLSS 4 preserves 4K‑grade albedo detail on cobblestones and armor, while FSR 3 shows slight blur in high‑frequency patterns.
- temporal stability: The new anti‑ghosting algorithm in DLSS 4 eliminates flickering on reflective water surfaces, a common issue in earlier versions.
- Ray‑traced reflections: At 1440p + DLSS 4, reflections match native 4K quality, whereas XeSS 2 still exhibits ghost artifacts in wet streets.
practical Tips to Get the Most Out of DLSS 4 in KCD 2
- Enable “Performance‑Plus” mode
- Best for 1080p‑1440p setups aiming for > 100 fps.
- Keeps motion interpolation on, maximizing smoothness.
- Set “Render Resolution” to 1440p (or 2160p for 4K monitors)
- DLSS 4 scales internally to the display’s native resolution, delivering crisp edges without extra GPU strain.
- Adjust “Ray Tracing” to Level 2
- Combined with DLSS 4, Level 2 provides a balanced visual‑performance ratio, avoiding the GPU ceiling seen on Level 3.
- Utilize Nvidia Profile Inspector
- Override default DLSS settings for fine‑tuned control (e.g., “Sharpness” slider at 0.8 for sharper foliage).
- Keep drivers up to date
- Nvidia driver 560.89 or later includes the “KCD 2 Optimizer” patch that reduces latency by 7 ms.
Comparing DLSS 4 to Competitors
| Feature | DLSS 4 | AMD FSR 3 | Intel XeSS 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI model | 4‑stage Tensor network (trained on 8K game footage) | No AI, purely algorithmic upscaling | Hybrid AI + edge‑preserving filter |
| Upscale factor | 1.5×‑2.0× (dynamic) | 1.6×‑2.0× | 1.4×‑1.8× |
| Frame generation | Predictive motion vectors + interpolation | None | Limited interpolation |
| Latency impact | +4 ms (negligible) | +6 ms | +5 ms |
| HDR support | Full HDR10+ | SDR‑only | HDR10 (partial) |
| Compatibility | RTX 30‑50 series, RTX 20 (limited) | Radeon 7000 series, RTX 20+ (via driver) | Arc A‑series, RTX 30+ (via driver) |
Real‑World Use Cases
- Speedrun community: Pro‑speedrunners of KCD 2 report a 15 % reduction in frame‑time variance when using DLSS 4 “Performance‑Plus,” translating to smoother inputs during precision combat.
- VR streaming: Nvidia CloudXR enabled DLSS 4 for remote 4K streaming of KCD 2, achieving 90 fps with less than 20 ms end‑to‑end latency, opening doors for VR co‑op sessions.
- Modding scene: The “High‑Detail Armor Pack” mod leverages DLSS 4’s texture reconstruction to retain fine engraving without taxing the GPU, allowing modders to push visual limits further than before.
Hardware Recommendations for Optimal DLSS 4 Experience
- Entry‑level: RTX 4070 LHR + 16 GB VRAM, 1440p monitor, 144 Hz.
- Mid‑range: RTX 4080 Super + 32 GB VRAM, 4K monitor, 120 Hz.
- high‑end: RTX 4090 Ti or RTX 5090 + 48 GB VRAM, 4K‑1440p hybrid display, 240 Hz.
Future Outlook – DLSS 4 Roadmap
- DLSS 4.5 (Q3 2026): Nvidia plans to introduce “dynamic Upscale Ratio,” automatically adjusting the upscale factor per scene complexity, further boosting efficiency in open‑world titles like KCD 2.
- AI‑enhanced texture streaming: Integration with Nvidia Reflex AI will allow texture streaming from SSDs at up to 15 GB/s, reducing pop‑in in massive medieval towns.
Speedy‑Start Checklist for KCD 2 DLSS 4 Setup
- Update GPU driver to version 560.89 or newer.
- Launch KCD 2, go to Graphics Settings → DLSS and select “Performance‑Plus”.
- Set Render resolution to your monitor’s native resolution (1440p/2160p).
- Enable Ray Tracing Level 2 for balanced visuals.
- Optionally,tweak Sharpness to 0.8 via Nvidia Control Panel for crisper foliage.
Key takeaways: DLSS 4’s AI‑driven upscaling, combined with its new frame generation engine, delivers the highest performance‑to‑quality ratio in the current upscaling war. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 serves as a rigorous benchmark, confirming that DLSS 4 outperforms both AMD’s FSR 3 and Intel’s XeSS 2 across resolution, frame rate, and visual fidelity.
