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AMD’s FSR 4—now branded FSR Upscaling—uses machine learning to target better detail, temporal stability, and less ghosting than FSR 3.1. That does not mean it is universally faster or available on every Radeon GPU: AMD’s current documentation specifies discrete RX 7000- and RX 9000-series support, and handheld support remains unconfirmed. Upscaling and frame generation are separate features, so their image and performance effects should not be conflated.
What changed from FSR 3.1 to FSR 4?
AMD has renamed FSR 4 to FSR Upscaling. The broader FSR Redstone name covers multiple machine-learning rendering features, not just the upscaler; some game menus and older articles may still call the upscaler FSR 4. AMD’s current naming and enablement overview is on its FSR Technologies page.
The key distinction is the upscaling approach: FSR Upscaling uses an ML-based algorithm, while the FSR 3.1 comparison is the relevant previous-generation baseline in AMD’s current technical materials. This is an upscaler comparison, not a comparison of two frame-generation modes.
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AMD says FSR Upscaling is designed to improve temporal stability, preserve detail, and reduce ghosting compared with FSR 3.1. Its stated targets include several visible issues:
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- Ghosting and disocclusion: less trailing behind moving objects and fewer artifacts where a moving object reveals previously hidden parts of a scene.
- Particles in motion: better preservation of particle effects without developers having to provide Reactive or Transparency masks.
- Thin detail and reflective surfaces: less flicker on small features and high-specular surfaces.
- Fine detail and stability: improved detail preservation and a steadier image over time.
These are AMD’s feature claims, not an independently established verdict across games. AMD’s comparison images are also vendor-produced and have specific conditions: an RX 9070 XT, 3840×2160 output, the High Quality preset, FSR Upscaling Performance mode, HDR off, motion blur disabled, and pre-release software. Results can differ by game, GPU, scene, resolution, and quality mode. See AMD GPUOpen’s FSR Upscaling documentation for the stated image-quality goals and comparison methodology.
Does FSR 4 increase FPS?
Upscaling can improve performance by rendering fewer pixels and reconstructing the output image. The result depends on the game, GPU, output resolution, and selected quality mode; the mode also affects the visual trade-off. There is no established universal FPS multiplier for FSR 4 versus FSR 3.1: the available sources do not provide an independent, apples-to-apples benchmark with matched game scene, GPU, driver, resolution, and settings.
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AMD reports that FSR Upscaling renders 4K frames in approximately 1.3 ms in Performance mode on an RX 9070 XT. That is AMD’s implementation measurement, not a direct FSR 4-versus-FSR 3.1 FPS comparison, and it should not be generalized to other hardware or games. AMD’s 2026 article also describes version 4.1 updates to sharper-image inference and Dynamic Resolution Scaling. Read the measurement in context in AMD’s 2026 Super Resolution article.
Upscaling and frame generation are different
Upscaling reconstructs an image from a lower-resolution render. Frame generation creates additional intermediate frames for display. Frame generation can change perceived smoothness, performance overhead, and latency; it is not an upscaling quality setting. For a fair FSR 4-versus-FSR 3.1 comparison, keep frame generation either off in both tests or enabled in both with equivalent settings, alongside the same game scene, resolution, quality mode, GPU, and driver.
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AMD documents ML frame generation separately from its analytical frame-generation fallback. It lists ML frame generation for RX 9000-series and above, while analytical frame generation is listed for GPUs supporting Shader Model 6.2 or above; the page also specifies operating-system and DirectX 12 requirements. AMD says FSR Upscaling can be combined with FSR Frame Generation and Radeon Anti-Lag 2 on RX 9000 cards, but that does not guarantee identical results in every game. See AMD GPUOpen’s frame-generation requirements.
Which graphics cards support FSR 4?
AMD’s current GPUOpen documentation specifies FSR Upscaling 4 on Radeon RX 9000- and RX 7000-series discrete GPUs or better. It says the documented API selects FSR 3.1.5 on other hardware. The page’s release notes identify FSR Upscaling 4.1.1 support on RX 7000 discrete GPUs. A compatible card alone is not enough: the game must integrate the feature or support an AMD Software upgrade route.
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| Feature or route | Documented compatibility | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| FSR Upscaling 4 | RX 9000- and RX 7000-series discrete GPUs or better, according to AMD GPUOpen | Confirm the title and its driver/software requirements; the API fallback on other hardware is FSR 3.1.5. |
| ML frame generation | RX 9000-series and above, according to AMD GPUOpen | Check that the game and software path support ML frame generation. |
| Analytical frame-generation fallback | GPUs supporting Shader Model 6.2 or above, according to AMD GPUOpen | Check the documented DirectX 12 and Windows requirements; this is not ML frame generation. |
AMD describes two player-facing upscaling routes: some games expose the ML upscaler directly in their menus; in other supported titles, AMD Software can swap in supported DLLs for games integrating FSR 3.1 or higher. The frame-generation upgrade path has a higher integration threshold: FSR 3.1.4 or later. Neither route means that every game with any FSR version can be upgraded. AMD’s consumer compatibility overview and GPUOpen technical requirements provide the applicable details.
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Does FSR 4 work on handhelds?
As of the latest cited information, AMD has not confirmed FSR 4.1 support for RDNA 3.5 handheld APUs. The official upscaling documentation reviewed specifies discrete RX 7000- and RX 9000-series graphics support; desktop compatibility should not be assumed to cover handheld processors.
In a 2026 interview, AMD Client Division executive David McAfee said AMD wants sufficient compute to deliver the intended quality and performance, and clarified that he had not said handheld support was coming. This leaves future support unannounced—not ruled out, but not something buyers should count on without a specific compatibility statement. The reported remarks are in Tom’s Guide’s interview with David McAfee.
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