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AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4) is a machine-learning temporal upscaler. A game renders frames below your display’s output resolution, then FSR 4 reconstructs a higher-resolution image from those frames and motion information. The goal is to reduce rendering work while retaining detail, stable motion and particle effects.
AMD says FSR 4 improves temporal stability, fine-detail and particle preservation, and ghosting compared with FSR 3.1. Those are vendor quality claims, not a guarantee for every game, GPU, resolution or preset. FSR 4 support also depends on both the graphics card and the game’s integration.
What is AMD FSR 4?
FSR 4 is AMD’s machine-learning-based version of FidelityFX Super Resolution upscaling. Instead of rendering every pixel at the monitor’s final resolution, a compatible game renders internally at a lower resolution. FSR 4 analyzes the current frame, previous frames and temporal information such as motion, then reconstructs an output image at the display resolution.
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AMD’s current consumer page now calls the feature FSR Upscaling. The name distinguishes the upscaler from the broader FSR “Redstone” suite, which also lists FSR Frame Generation, FSR Ray Regeneration and FSR Radiance Caching. Articles and game menus may still say “FSR 4,” while newer documentation may identify a specific FSR Upscaling release.
AMD’s developer documentation lists FSR Upscaling 4.1.1 in SDK 2.3. That later documentation includes support for Radeon RX 7000 Series discrete GPUs as well as RX 9000 Series cards, so the original launch rules should not be applied automatically to every current FSR Upscaling build.
See AMD’s current feature and compatibility information at AMD FSR Technologies.
How FSR 4 reconstructs an image
Lower internal resolution
When you select an FSR mode, the game renders at an internal resolution below the output resolution. For example, a 4K output can use a lower render resolution, leaving the GPU fewer pixels to shade. FSR 4 then reconstructs the final 4K image.
Temporal information
The algorithm uses information from multiple frames rather than treating each frame as an isolated picture. Motion data helps it distinguish an object that moved from detail that should remain fixed. Better use of this history is intended to reduce shimmer and instability on thin geometry, foliage, wires and other small features.
Machine-learning processing
FSR 4 uses a learned model trained on high-quality ground-truth game data. In AMD’s description, the model is trained on AMD Instinct Accelerators and uses the hardware-accelerated FP8 Wave Matrix Multiply Accumulate (WMMA) feature of RDNA 4. AMD wrote that this combination is intended to maximize upscaling quality while still delivering a substantial performance boost. The statement describes AMD’s architecture and algorithm design; it is not a measured frame-rate result for every game.
“The new ML-accelerated AMD FSR 4 upscaling algorithm is trained using high-quality ground truth game data on AMD Instinct™ Accelerators and uses the hardware-accelerated FP8 Wave Matrix Multiply Accumulate (WMMA) feature of the AMD RDNA™ 4 architecture to ensure maximum upscaling quality while still providing a substantial game performance boost.”
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How FSR 4 can improve image quality
AMD and GPUOpen describe the following changes when comparing FSR 4 with FSR 3.1:
| Image characteristic | AMD’s stated FSR 4 change |
|---|---|
| Temporal stability | More stable detail over time, with less flicker and crawling during motion. |
| Fine detail | Improved preservation of small or thin features that can be difficult to reconstruct from a lower-resolution frame. |
| Particle effects | Better retention of moving particles such as sparks, smoke and similar effects. |
| Ghosting | Reduced trailing or “ghost” artifacts behind moving objects. |
| Specular surfaces | Less flickering on bright, reflective or high-specular details. |
These improvements matter most in motion. A still screenshot may show only a small difference, while a camera pan can reveal whether foliage shimmers, a thin object disappears, or a moving character leaves a trail. FSR 4 cannot recover detail that the game never supplies, and reconstruction artifacts can vary with anti-aliasing, motion-vector quality and the scene itself.
GPUOpen’s published examples were captured on a Radeon RX 9070 XT at 3,840×2,160 output resolution, High Quality preset, FSR Performance mode, HDR disabled and motion blur disabled, using prerelease software. Those conditions are important: the examples illustrate a particular setup and should not be read as universal results at every mode or resolution. The comparison is documented on AMD GPUOpen’s AMD FSR Upscaling page and in its FSR 4 release article.
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Does FSR 4 increase FPS?
It can, because the game shades fewer pixels before reconstruction. The amount depends on whether the workload is limited by pixel rendering, geometry, simulation, the CPU or another subsystem. A game that is CPU-limited may show little change, while a demanding 4K scene can gain more from a lower internal resolution.
AMD describes FSR 4 as providing a substantial performance boost, including in demanding 4K workloads. The official material does not establish one FPS increase that applies to all games. A credible comparison must identify the game, GPU, output resolution, internal render mode, graphics preset, driver and software versions, and whether frame generation is enabled.
Upscaling and frame generation are separate features. Upscaling reduces the rendering resolution of each source frame. Frame generation creates additional displayed frames from rendered frames. If both are enabled, the displayed frame rate can rise for two different reasons; do not describe the combined result as an upscaling-only gain.
FSR 4, FSR Upscaling and version differences
The phrase “FSR 4” generally refers to the machine-learning upscaler introduced with AMD’s RDNA 4 generation. AMD’s current naming uses “FSR Upscaling” for the upscaler and reserves “Redstone” for the wider collection of features. A game may expose an FSR 4 label even when its implementation is based on an earlier SDK, while a current driver or developer integration may identify FSR Upscaling 4.1.1.
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When troubleshooting or comparing results, record the exact implementation shown by the game or AMD Software. FSR 4 launch behavior, FSR Upscaling 4.1.1 behavior and future versions can have different hardware and integration requirements.
Which GPUs support FSR 4?
Original launch implementation
AMD introduced the original FSR 4 implementation for RDNA 4 and Radeon RX 9000 Series graphics cards, using DirectX 12 on Windows. AMD also described a driver-upgrade feature for supported games that already integrate FSR 3.1. A compatible card alone is not enough: the game must contain the relevant integration or qualify for the driver path.
Current FSR Upscaling documentation
AMD’s newer developer documentation for FSR Upscaling 4.1.1 in SDK 2.3 lists Radeon RX 7000 Series discrete GPUs and RX 9000 Series cards. AMD states that RX 6000 support is planned for 2027. Because support is evolving, check AMD’s current compatibility page and the individual game before buying hardware or assuming that a driver update will enable the feature.
| Support context | What AMD documents |
|---|---|
| Original FSR 4 launch | RDNA 4 and Radeon RX 9000 Series; DirectX 12 on Windows. |
| FSR 3.1 driver-upgrade path | Supported games that already integrate FSR 3.1 may be eligible through AMD Software on qualifying hardware. |
| FSR Upscaling 4.1.1 in SDK 2.3 | Radeon RX 7000 Series discrete GPUs and RX 9000 Series are listed. |
| Future support | AMD says Radeon RX 6000 support is planned for 2027. |
AMD’s launch-era announcement named the Radeon RX 9000 Series, and a Radeon RX 9070 XT is a directly relevant example of hardware for the original implementation. It is a compatibility example, not a promise of a fixed FPS improvement.
Which games support FSR 4?
Support is determined by the game’s integration and the applicable AMD Software path, not by the GPU alone. AMD expected more than 30 games at launch in 2025. A later technical-preview release-notes page described support for more than 60 games on RX 9000 Series cards. That figure belongs to the preview described on that page and is not a live total for every FSR version.
The preview listed driver version 25.10.13.02 and specified supported desktop products, including the Radeon RX 9070, RX 9070 XT and RX 9060 XT, with particular Windows 10 and Windows 11 versions. Because driver previews and game lists change, use AMD’s current list rather than treating those release-note numbers as permanent compatibility guarantees. The release details are at AMD’s FSR Technical Preview release notes.
How to enable FSR 4 or FSR Upscaling
- Verify the game path. Check the game’s graphics options or AMD’s current supported-game information to determine whether it has native FSR support or qualifies for the AMD Software upgrade path.
- Update the graphics driver. Install the driver required by the game or preview release. If you are using a technical preview, read its listed Windows and Radeon model requirements before installing.
- Open the game’s graphics settings. Look for the upscaling or anti-aliasing section. Native integrations commonly expose an FSR or FSR Upscaling mode and a quality preset.
- Choose an output and quality mode. Select the display resolution first, then choose the available FSR quality mode. Lower internal resolutions generally provide more performance but ask the reconstruction algorithm to infer more detail.
- Configure frame generation separately. If the game offers frame generation, toggle it independently and measure it separately from the upscaler so you know which feature changed the result.
- Compare in a repeatable scene. Use the same graphics preset, resolution, camera route and driver version when checking image quality or frame rate. Capture motion, not only a paused screenshot.
On games eligible for AMD’s driver path, AMD’s consumer documentation describes selecting supported FSR 3.1-or-higher games through AMD Software. The exact menu wording can change with driver versions, so follow the current labels shown in AMD Software and the game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to judge FSR 4 in your own game
Keep the comparison controlled
- Use the same GPU, driver, game build, output resolution and graphics settings.
- Record the FSR mode and internal-resolution setting.
- Keep HDR, motion blur and frame generation either on for both tests or off for both tests.
- Repeat the same camera movement or benchmark run.
Inspect image quality
- Look at thin geometry such as wires, railings, hair and foliage while panning the camera.
- Watch bright reflections and other high-specular surfaces for flicker.
- Follow moving characters and particles for trails, smearing or disappearing detail.
- Check distant textures and signs after motion stops to see whether detail stabilizes.
Measure performance correctly
Record average FPS together with frame-time behavior, and identify whether the scene is GPU-limited. Report the output resolution, FSR mode, graphics preset, driver, game version and frame-generation state. A result from one game at 4K Performance mode cannot be generalized to another game at 1440p Quality mode.
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AMD says RDNA 4 provides up to 8× INT8 throughput per AI accelerator for sparse matrices per compute unit compared with the previous generation. This is an architectural throughput claim, not an FSR 4 frame-rate measurement. It should not be converted into an expected 8× FPS increase.
Likewise, AMD’s statements about improved detail, particles, stability and ghosting describe design goals and vendor comparisons. Independent results can differ with game-engine motion vectors, reconstruction mode, resolution, lighting, driver and software version. Treat a published number as meaningful only when those conditions accompany it.
FSR 4 compared with FSR 3.1: what to test
If a game offers both versions, hold the hardware and scene constant. Compare the following dimensions rather than relying on one screenshot:
| Test area | What to observe |
|---|---|
| Fine-detail retention | Whether thin geometry and distant texture detail remain visible after motion. |
| Motion stability | Shimmer, crawling edges and changes in detail during camera movement. |
| Ghosting | Trails behind characters, vehicles and other moving objects. |
| Particles | Persistence and clarity of sparks, smoke, rain and similar effects. |
| Specular detail | Flicker or instability on reflections and bright highlights. |
| Frame rate | Measured FPS and frame times with identical settings and no unreported frame generation. |
The available AMD material supports these comparison axes but does not establish a universal ranking against every other upscaling technology or every game engine.
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Common reasons FSR 4 is unavailable
- The game has no qualifying integration. A supported Radeon card cannot add FSR 4 to a game that lacks the required native or driver-supported path.
- The GPU or driver is outside the documented support list. Check the current AMD page rather than relying on the original launch announcement.
- The game uses an older FSR implementation. The driver-upgrade path described by AMD targets supported games with FSR 3.1 or higher; it is not a universal conversion for every title.
- The operating system or API requirement is not met. The original implementation targeted DirectX 12 on Windows, while preview releases can specify particular Windows builds.
- A preview feature has changed. Technical-preview game counts, driver versions and supported products can change when AMD publishes a new release.
When a title does not show FSR 4, verify the game build, driver version, Windows version, Radeon model and AMD’s current supported-game list before changing graphics settings or replacing hardware.
Bottom line for players
FSR 4 is an ML-based temporal upscaler designed to make lower-resolution rendering look closer to the display resolution while reducing GPU work. AMD’s stated advantages over FSR 3.1 are better temporal stability, fine-detail and particle preservation, and less ghosting and flicker. The practical benefit varies by game and settings, and no single FPS gain applies universally. Check the exact FSR Upscaling version, your Radeon model, the driver requirements and the game’s integration before expecting the feature to appear.
For current terminology and support links, consult AMD FSR Technologies, AMD GPUOpen’s FSR Upscaling documentation, and the AMD RDNA 4 announcement.
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