FSR vs RSR vs RIS - The differences and which you should use

Explore the distinctions among AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), AMD Radeon Super Resolution (RSR), and AMD Radeon Image Sharpening (RIS), and learn when to utilize each. AMD's Ryzen chips not only deliver exceptional performance and power efficiency but also incorporate a range of graphics technologies to enhance visuals and optimize gaming performance.

We're about to delve deeper into the specifics, but let's first outline the fundamental differences among these cutting-edge technologies:

FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is a sophisticated in-game feature that initially renders your game at a lower resolution and then uses intelligent scaling techniques to upscale the image. This not only boosts your system’s performance but also maintains exceptional image quality, allowing for a smoother and visually appealing gaming experience.

Radeon Super Resolution (RSR) operates at the driver level, providing a performance enhancement through upscaling even for games that do not support FSR. It’s important to note that FSR and RSR are not meant to be used simultaneously to avoid potential conflicts or performance issues.

Radeon Image Sharpening (RIS) introduces a sharpening filter to enhance the visuals of your games. This is particularly useful in scenarios where images might appear blurry, sharpening the details to provide clearer and more defined visuals.

In summary, if your game is compatible with FSR, it’s advisable to utilize this feature to achieve the best balance between performance and image quality. For games lacking FSR support, RSR provides a viable alternative. Additionally, RIS is available to fine-tune image sharpness as necessary across different gaming situations.

FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR)

FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is a series of technologies integrated into modern games to enhance performance while maintaining high image quality. FSR comes in several versions, each offering progressive improvements and used differently across games.

FSR 1.0 functions as a spatial upscaler, working by rendering games at a lower resolution (e.g., 720p) and then scaling each frame up to the display's native resolution (like 1080p). This method boosts performance and offers better image quality than native lower resolutions while keeping UI elements crisp.

FSR 2.0, like its predecessor, upscales from a lower resolution to improve performance but uses a temporal upscaling technique. This method uses additional data, such as motion vectors, to enhance image quality more effectively, sometimes surpassing native 1080p by reducing visual artifacts like shimmering.

FSR 3.0 combines temporal upscaling with advanced frame generation. It creates intermediate frames by analyzing motion in previous frames, enhancing smoothness in gameplay. This technology parallels AMD’s Fluid Motion Frames but focuses on frame generation rather than upscaling, with specific coverage in a separate discussion.

To enable FSR, it's important to disable V-sync, which may introduce screen tearing above the display's refresh rate. Additionally, the game must support DirectX 12 or 11, as it doesn't support DirectX 9. Running the game in fullscreen mode is also necessary. FSR automatically enables anti-lag and is recommended to be used with a base frame rate of 60 fps. It operates optimally within the 50-60 fps range and disables frame interpolation when rapid movement is detected, resulting in smoother performance.

For a list of games supporting FSR 2.0 and FSR 3.0, check AMD's website.

Radeon Super Resolution (RSR)

Many modern games now support FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) directly, which allows you to enhance performance easily. If FSR is not available, you can use Radeon Super Resolution (RSR) instead. Unlike FSR, which needs to be integrated into the game, RSR operates at the driver level and is accessible for a wider range of games.

To activate RSR, adjust your game’s resolution to 1280x720 or 1600x900 through the game’s display or graphics settings for better performance. After setting the resolution, exit the game. You can activate the RSR via AMD Adrenalin software, where you can fine-tune the sharpening settings to enhance image quality.

Ensure overlays are enabled in AMD Adrenalin to see a confirmation popup with a green checkmark when you launch the game, indicating that RSR is active and functioning. For improved visuals, consider enabling Anti-Aliasing options like MSAA, FXAA, or TAA in the graphics settings.

Furthermore, AMD has introduced HYPR-RX, a feature in AMD Adrenalin software that simplifies optimization. When activated, HYPR-RX automatically adjusts settings for HYPR-Tuned games, enabling FSR on the Quality preset, setting up RSR if FSR isn’t supported, and activating AMD Radeon Anti-Lag and Boost for enhanced performance and reduced latency. This feature provides a convenient, one-click solution to optimize your gaming experience.

Radeon Image Sharpening (RIS)

AMD's sharpening technologies, including FSR and RSR, are frequently discussed for their ability to enhance image quality. Unlike FSR and RSR that upscale images, AMD’s sharpening technologies apply a filter that sharpens the image before it is displayed. This process has minimal performance impact and can significantly improve clarity, especially in games where images might otherwise appear blurry.

Sharpening filters work by enhancing the edges of objects within an image, making them appear more distinct and realistic. However, excessive sharpening can introduce unwanted artifacts such as noise, white halos, or blurred details. AMD’s filters are designed to minimize these issues by intelligently analyzing high-contrast areas to apply sharpening more effectively.

While not a replacement for FSR or RSR, AMD's RIS (Radeon Image Sharpening) serves as an additional tool that can refine image sharpness, particularly useful in conjunction with temporal-based anti-aliasing techniques like TAA, which can sometimes blur images. Starting with a lower sharpening setting and adjusting as needed can help maintain optimal image quality.

For games that support it, FidelityFX Contrast Adaptive Sharpening (CAS) is preferable as it integrates directly into the game, sharpening only the graphics and not UI elements. If a game lacks a built-in sharpening option, AMD Adrenalin software provides RSR with a sharpening slider and RIS as a standalone feature, enhancing games without inherent sharpening capabilities.

In essence, many modern games already include sharpening controls, especially if they support features like FSR or TAA. In such cases, separate use of RIS might not be necessary. Yet, for games lacking these options, RIS is a valuable tool to enhance visual clarity.

Conclusion

Using FSR incurs costs in terms of both performance and latency. While it offers the advantage of rendering at a lower resolution, thereby reducing the number of pixels processed, the benefits may vary depending on the starting resolution. For instance, while upscaling from 1080p to 4K can yield significant improvements, the impact may be less noticeable when transitioning from 720p to 800p due to the smaller reduction in pixel count.

In essence, FSR typically doesn't provide substantial benefits when running in handheld mode on the Steam Deck. While it may offer slight performance enhancements in scenarios where stability is borderline, it's unlikely to achieve transformative results, such as elevating a game from 30 FPS to 60 FPS on the Steam Deck hardware. Additionally, its effectiveness depends on the CPU workload of the game, as upscaling can impose additional strain on the CPU and potentially lead to frame rate drops or stuttering.

Using FSR without downscaling resolution or upscaling a 720p image to 1080p requires additional processing power, relative to certain anti-aliasing methods. However, some games may exhibit compatibility issues or performance hiccups when utilizing FSR.

AMD recommends leveraging FSR in compatible games for an enhanced gaming experience, even for users with Nvidia graphics cards. While RSR is exclusive to AMD, FSR can be enabled on most modern GPUs regardless of the manufacturer. Nvidia users lacking FSR but you can utilize alternatives methods like Nvidia Image Scaling (NIS) or Deep Learning Dynamic Super Resolution (DLDSR) where may be available in GeForce drivers.

RSR offers a convenient solution by allowing users to enable it and selectively utilize it for performance boosts as needed. By lowering the resolution, users can mitigate some of the drawbacks associated with resolution reduction. This straightforward approach simplifies optimization efforts and provides flexibility in balancing performance and visual quality.