AMD FSR 4 Comes to RDNA 3.5 Handhelds With Performance Trade-Offs

AMD's FSR4 support for RDNA 3.5 brings another upscaling option to existing gaming handhelds. However, the software-based implementation comes with performance trade-offs, and users may have to sacrifice some frame rate for better image quality. While it doesn't deliver the full benefits of hardware-based upscaling, it gives existing devices another way to improve image clarity and extend their usable lifespan.

I'm happy tSR4 is officially coming to RDNA 3.5, but it comes at a cost. Because it's software-based, you're sacrificing performance for image quality, which you can already get with XeSS on an RDNA 3.5 GPU. That's the frustration for me. It's really cool, and it's good that we don't have to use OptiScaler anymore to force it, but it still isn't the full FSR4 we want.

FSR4 Reduces Some of the Compromises Between Handhelds

It also smooths out some of the compromises we currently see with this generation of AMD hardware. We talk about it a lot, and I see our community discussing it all the time. The word compromise still comes up frequently, even when comparing Intel and AMD devices and deciding which one to buy. Anything on the market right now involves some compromises.

Whether you upgrade or not, there's always something to consider. We also have to acknowledge that the current generation of handhelds has nearly doubled in price compared with the previous generation, and that isn't going away based on what we're seeing for next year, either. As mentioned, FSR4 extends a device's life and gives you more choice.

You can choose between better image clarity and stability or more FPS. If you don't really care about image stability, including issues like duplicated images and ghosting, you don't need this feature. It's a useful option for people who don't want to upgrade yet, since a new device comes out every year and there's always something better available.

Image clarity and stability matter, and FSR4 improves that experience.

G3 Extreme has hardware-based upscaling and frame generation. It outperforms AMD in both frame rate and image quality, including clarity. However, these devices are also very expensive. If you have an original ROG Ally X, an Xbox Ally, an Xbox Ally X, a Legion Go, or another existing handheld, FSR4 could still be useful.

The IN8 version of FSR4 looks better visually, making it a useful option for users who prioritize image quality over raw frame rate. Although the software-based implementation on RDNA 3.5 doesn't deliver the full performance benefits of hardware-based upscaling, it still gives users another way to improve image quality without buying a new handheld.