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The best fix depends on where the game comes from. For a PC game or emulator, start with integer scaling for crisp, evenly sized pixels. Choose a CRT-style shader when you want scanlines, glow, or curvature instead of a purely sharp image. For an original console, first match its video output to an external scaler that your television accepts. These approaches solve different problems: integer scaling preserves pixel geometry, shaders change the rendering style, and a scaler converts a console signal for modern inputs.
Identify your setup before changing anything
Older games can look soft for several unrelated reasons. A low-resolution image may be enlarged with fractional pixels, a graphics driver may be stretching it to the panel, an emulator may be applying an unsuitable filter, or an original console may be sending an analog signal that the television handles poorly. Use the branch that matches your source:
- PC game: check the game’s resolution and the graphics driver’s scaling mode.
- Emulator: configure integer scaling first, then compare shader presets.
- Original console: verify the console’s video connector and use a compatible converter or scaler if the display cannot accept that signal directly.
Save a screenshot or note your current settings before experimenting. That gives you a reliable untreated image to compare with every later change. If possible, use the same game scene for every test: a menu with small text, a scene with vertical lines, and a moving section reveal different problems.
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Why modern displays expose old-game weaknesses
A modern LCD or OLED has a fixed grid of pixels and usually expects a progressive digital signal. Older games were designed around much lower resolutions, different aspect ratios, and, in many cases, the behavior of a CRT. When a source image does not divide evenly into the panel or output window, a scaler has to decide how to distribute it. A whole-number enlargement keeps source pixels consistent; a fractional enlargement blends or repeats them unevenly. Neither process creates new game detail, so the goal is to choose the least distracting conversion.
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There is also a difference between geometry and style. Correct aspect ratio and even pixel boundaries are geometry decisions. Scanlines, phosphor masks, glow, blur, and curvature are stylistic decisions. Establish geometry first, then decide whether you want a clean pixel-art presentation or a CRT-inspired one.
Integer scaling: the clearest starting point for pixel art
Integer scaling enlarges the source by whole-number multiples such as 2x, 3x, or 4x. A source pixel is represented by an equal block of display pixels rather than being blended across a fractional boundary. The result is usually a crisp image with consistent pixel shapes.
The trade-off is screen coverage. If the source aspect ratio and the display do not line up, a true integer mode may leave unused space around the game. Filling more of the panel with a fractional scale can make the picture larger, but edges may become uneven or slightly distorted. Neither choice is universally correct: select regular pixels or maximum coverage according to what bothers you more.
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Intel graphics: Fixed Width versus Scaled Width
Intel’s support article, last reviewed February 18, 2025, calls its true integer mode Fixed Width. It also documents Scaled Width, which can use more of the display but may apply fractional scaling when the aspect ratios differ.
On a compatible system, open Intel Graphics Command Center, choose Global Settings, find Retro Scaling, and select Fixed Width or Scaled Width. Intel lists these requirements:
- Windows 10 version 1709 or newer, or Windows 11
- A 10th Generation Intel Core processor or newer
- Graphics driver 26.20.100.7212 or newer
- Intel Graphics Command Center version 1.100.1725.0 or newer
Intel also gives an additional qualification for global settings, so the menu may not appear identically on every computer. If Fixed Width is available, use it when preserving pixel shape is the priority. Try Scaled Width only when the unused border is more distracting than mild fractional distortion.
Apply the setting globally only if you want the same behavior across games. A per-game option, when supplied by the game or another control layer, is safer when one title needs a different resolution or aspect ratio. After changing the setting, completely relaunch the game if the existing window does not redraw correctly; some older titles do not reinitialize their display mode until startup.
AMD graphics: enable integer scaling globally or per game
AMD’s support instructions, updated June 10, 2025 and based on Adrenalin 25.5.1 with a Radeon RX 9070 example, provide both a global switch and an application override. AMD notes that the available controls can vary by system.
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- Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
- Use the search box and search for Integer.
- Open Integer Scaling – Display Settings and enable GPU scaling and integer scaling as presented on your system.
- For a single title, open Gaming > Games, select the game, and apply the per-game override if it is available.
Test the game after changing one setting at a time. If the image remains soft, check whether the game itself is rendering at a non-native resolution or applying its own filtering; the driver cannot remove blur that has already been baked into the game’s output. If a title changes resolutions between menus and gameplay, inspect both states before deciding that the setting failed.
Do not assume an option is missing merely because the labels differ from a guide written for another driver release. AMD explicitly warns that controls vary by configuration. Confirm the current driver version and look for the integer-scaling search result before changing unrelated display controls.
Emulators: combine scaling with a deliberate rendering style
Emulators normally offer their own scaling, aspect-ratio, filtering, and shader controls. Begin with a neutral configuration so you can tell what each later change does:
- Disable smoothing or bilinear filtering if the emulator exposes that option and you want hard pixel edges.
- Set the correct original aspect ratio when the emulator provides a console-specific option. Avoid stretching a 4:3 source simply because the monitor is widescreen.
- Enable integer scaling when the available window size permits a useful whole-number multiple.
- Run a scene with vertical lines, text, and diagonal edges. These reveal uneven scaling more clearly than a dark or highly detailed scene.
- Only after the base image looks correct, compare shader presets.
Integer scaling is not a promise that every game will fill the screen. At some window sizes the emulator must either add borders, reduce the integer multiple, or use a fractional scale. If the picture is sharp but small, enlarge the emulator window or change the display’s resolution rather than immediately enabling a blur filter.
Check whether the emulator has separate options for windowed and fullscreen output. A setting that looks correct in a resizable window may be recalculated when fullscreen selects a different desktop mode. Keep the aspect-ratio control explicit instead of relying on an automatic stretch mode whose behavior can change with each display.
Per-game profiles are useful because systems and titles do not all use the same native resolution or presentation. Save a configuration after confirming it with both still images and movement. If a shader causes stutter, return to the unfiltered integer-scaled image first; that isolates performance from geometry and gives you a dependable fallback.
CRT shaders: choose an authentic-looking presentation, not maximum sharpness
A CRT shader is a software approximation of characteristics associated with older televisions. Depending on the preset, it may simulate scanlines, a phosphor mask, blur, glow, color bleed, or screen curvature. These effects can make a game feel less like enlarged raw pixels, but they also intentionally soften or reshape the image.
RetroArch’s official documentation places shader loading inside a running game: open Quick Menu > Shaders > Load Shader Preset. Presets that expose parameters can be adjusted after loading. The available shader language depends on the platform and renderer; RetroArch documents Slang as the recommended format where it is available, while GLSL and older CG formats have different compatibility requirements.
Libretro’s CRT documentation notes that repeating scanline patterns generally look more even with integer scaling. Some presets are designed to tolerate non-integer scaling better than others, so a shader that looks clean at one window size may show uneven bands at another. Advanced presets can also demand substantially more rendering power than lightweight effects. Choose a preset your device can render smoothly rather than assuming that the most elaborate option is automatically better.
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Shader parameters are worth adjusting gradually. Increase scanline or mask strength in small steps, then check bright text and dark scenes. Excessive effect strength can hide fine details, make the image too dim, or produce a pattern that is more obvious than the game itself. Curvature can be attractive on a large display but may make straight interface elements appear bent; it is a preference, not a correction for bad scaling.
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Compare these three states in the same game scene:
- Untreated output: establishes whether the original problem is blur, incorrect aspect ratio, or something else.
- Integer-scaled output without a shader: shows the game’s original pixel structure as clearly as possible.
- One restrained CRT preset: lets you judge scanlines, glow, mask strength, and any curvature without stacking several filters at once.
Adjust brightness and effect strength for your actual display and viewing distance. A CRT shader is an adjustable visual interpretation, not a perfect recreation of a particular television. The official documentation establishes the available effects and scaling behavior, but it does not establish a universal best preset or a measurable preference winner.
A shader should be evaluated while the game is moving, not only from a paused screenshot. Motion can expose shimmering scanlines, unstable masks, or a performance cost that is invisible in a static menu. If the effect is distracting, reduce its parameters or choose a lighter preset rather than compensating with additional smoothing.
Original consoles: fix the signal path before changing the picture
An original console may output composite, component, RGB, S-Video, or another analog format that a modern television does not accept directly, or that it accepts with poor processing. In that case, software scaling settings on a PC cannot help. You need a signal path that matches both ends: the console’s actual output and an input supported by the scaler and television.
RetroTINK’s current catalog covers video processors, transcoders, cables, and accessories. Its 5X Pro announcement, published April 29, 2021 and updated April 20, 2022, describes the device category as a bridge between retro consoles and modern TVs and describes motion-adaptive deinterlacing for interlaced game content. That feature matters for consoles whose video alternates fields: deinterlacing reconstructs a progressive image before it reaches the display.
Think of the scaler as one link in a chain, not as a universal adapter. The console’s connector, the cable or transcoder, the scaler’s input, the scaler’s output mode, and the display input all have to agree. A device marketed for retro consoles may still exclude a particular console revision or signal type, so read the documented input list for the exact model you own.
Check compatibility in this order
- Identify the console model and its exact video connector. Two revisions of a console can expose different outputs.
- Check whether the scaler accepts that connector and signal type. A cable that fits physically is not proof that the signal is supported.
- Confirm which output resolutions and refresh rates the scaler produces.
- Verify that the television or monitor accepts the scaler’s output on the intended input.
- Connect the console to the scaler, the scaler to the display, and then select the correct input and output mode.
- Test an interlaced game and a progressive game if your console supports both. Look for stable motion, correct aspect ratio, and a picture that does not repeatedly lose sync.
An external scaler adds a device and a compatibility check, so it is not a sensible purchase for someone who only runs games on a PC or emulator. The older 5X Pro announcement supports the product category and intended use; it does not establish current stock, price, warranty, or current firmware features. Verify those details with the manufacturer before buying.
Budget for the complete signal path rather than the scaler alone. You may need an appropriate cable, a transcoder, or an additional adapter, depending on the console output. Do not buy from a product name alone: confirm the connector, signal standard, accepted input, output mode, and your display’s compatibility first. Current prices, availability, and retailer terms can change.
Choose the method that matches your priority
| Goal or constraint | First option to try | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Crisp, regular pixel edges | Integer scaling in the emulator or supported GPU control panel | The game may occupy less of the display when source and panel aspect ratios differ. |
| More screen coverage | A fractional scale or Scaled Width mode, where available | Pixels can become uneven and edges may look distorted. |
| CRT-inspired appearance | A shader preset with adjustable scanlines, mask, blur, glow, or curvature | The result is a simulation; preset compatibility and performance vary. |
| Original console to modern TV | An external scaler whose documented inputs match the console | It adds hardware and requires checks for connectors, output modes, and display compatibility. |
These options are alternatives, not steps that must all be purchased or enabled. A PC player can stop after correcting aspect ratio and enabling integer scaling. An emulator user may prefer a shader even when it leaves borders. A console owner may need hardware conversion before any display setting can produce a stable picture.
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Troubleshoot the most common results
The image is sharp but surrounded by large borders
This is usually the expected consequence of true integer scaling combined with a mismatched aspect ratio or an available window size that cannot fit another whole-number multiple. Keep integer scaling if regular pixels matter most. Otherwise, try a smaller amount of carefully chosen fractional scaling and inspect text and one-pixel lines for distortion.
The picture fills the screen but looks blurry
Look for bilinear filtering, a fractional GPU scale, or a game setting that renders below the display resolution. Disable smoothing where possible, test integer scaling, and compare against a native-resolution window. If the source was already filtered by the game, a display setting cannot restore information that was discarded.
Scanlines are uneven or shimmer during movement
Check the shader’s scaling assumptions. Libretro notes that scanline repetition generally behaves better with integer scaling, while some presets are more tolerant of fractional sizes. Try the shader at an integer multiple, reduce its strength, or select a lighter preset designed for your platform and renderer.
The shader option is missing or fails to load
Shader languages and renderer support differ by platform. In RetroArch, confirm that the selected video driver supports the preset format; Slang is the recommended format where available, while GLSL and older CG support are not interchangeable. Update only after checking that your platform and renderer remain compatible, and test with a simple preset before troubleshooting an advanced one.
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The original console shows no picture or an unstable picture
Recheck the console connector, signal type, scaler input, and television input. Confirm that the scaler’s output mode is accepted by the display. If the console produces interlaced video, use a scaler with documented deinterlacing support rather than assuming every converter handles it the same way. A physical connector match alone does not establish electrical or video compatibility.
The game changes size or becomes stretched after launching
Some older PC games switch display modes when they start or when a cutscene ends. Recheck the game’s own resolution and aspect-ratio controls, then compare the driver setting with the emulator or launcher setting. Apply one scaling layer at a time so you can tell which component is stretching the image. A correct GPU mode cannot override a title that deliberately renders a stretched frame.
The image looks different on two displays
Displays can accept different output modes and apply their own scaling. Verify the scaler or GPU output first, then compare the display’s aspect and picture modes. Use the same test scene and keep the display mode consistent while tuning a shader. The goal is a repeatable signal chain, not a setting that only looks correct on one television’s automatic mode.
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Use this sequence whenever you configure another game or display:
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- Correct geometry: select the original aspect ratio instead of stretching by eye.
- Try integer scaling: use the emulator’s control or the compatible Intel or AMD GPU setting.
- Evaluate the trade-off: decide whether borders are preferable to uneven pixels.
- Try one shader: load a restrained CRT preset only if you want scanlines, glow, mask, or curvature.
- Check performance: watch for dropped frames, stutter, or delayed input after enabling an advanced preset.
- Save per-game settings: preserve a working configuration instead of forcing one scale or shader on every title.
- For consoles, verify the hardware chain: identify the signal, match the scaler input, and confirm the display accepts the scaler output before changing image controls.
This process separates geometry problems from stylistic choices. You can then return to a known-good integer-scaled image if a shader or stretch mode does not suit a particular game. Change one variable at a time, keep notes for settings that work, and judge the result from the normal viewing distance rather than from a magnified screenshot alone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best first setting for blurry pixel art?
Try integer scaling with smoothing or bilinear filtering disabled. It keeps source pixels in whole-number multiples, although it may leave borders when the display shape does not match the game.
Should I use integer scaling or fill the whole screen?
Use integer scaling when consistent pixel shapes matter most. A fractional or scaled-width mode covers more of the panel but can make pixels uneven or distorted.
How do I enable integer scaling on Intel graphics?
In Intel Graphics Command Center, open Global Settings, choose Retro Scaling, and select Fixed Width for true integer scaling or Scaled Width for more coverage. Intel lists Windows 10 version 1709 or newer or Windows 11, a 10th Generation Intel Core processor or newer, driver 26.20.100.7212 or newer, and Graphics Command Center 1.100.1725.0 or newer.
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How do I enable integer scaling on AMD graphics?
Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, search for Integer, open Integer Scaling – Display Settings, and enable the available GPU and integer-scaling controls. You can apply a per-game override under Gaming > Games when your configuration offers it.
Do CRT shaders make games sharper?
Not necessarily. CRT shaders simulate scanlines, masks, blur, glow, color bleed, or curvature. They can look more authentic while intentionally softening or reshaping the raw pixel image.
Why do my CRT scanlines shimmer?
The shader may be receiving a fractional scale. Try an integer multiple, reduce the effect strength, or choose a preset that tolerates non-integer scaling better. Libretro notes that scanline patterns generally repeat more evenly with integer scaling.
Do I need an external scaler for an emulator?
No. Emulators run on the PC, so their scaling and shader controls are the direct path. An external scaler is for converting an original console’s physical video signal to an output your modern display accepts.
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Identify the exact console model and connector, confirm the scaler accepts that signal, check its output resolutions and refresh rates, and verify that your television or monitor accepts the scaler’s output. Also check whether interlaced games require documented deinterlacing support.
The Bottom Line
Start with the source and fix geometry before styling. Use integer scaling for crisp, regular pixels; accept borders rather than fractional distortion if that is your priority. Add one CRT shader when you want scanlines, glow, mask, or curvature, and tune it for your display. For an original console, match the exact video output to a scaler and confirm the scaler’s output works with your television. These choices involve different trade-offs, so compare them in the same game scene and keep the setting that looks best to you.
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