In the graphics industry, there’s more to staying ahead of the competition than just launching top end hardware. WithAMD recently announcing FSR 2.0, and Nvidia’s DLSS proving popular, what’s essentially become the standard these days is upscaling technology. By using this AI-based system, it’s possible to improve the visuals of a game without additional cost to the hardware running it, and it’s something thatIntel, which is due to launch its own brand of GPUs this year, is looking to promote as well.
In a recent video uploaded to the company YouTube channel,Intelhas been pushing its own upscaling tech, which is calls XeSS, or Xe Super Sampling. In the three-minute clip, 3D artist and technical art director Rens was able to show off the current iteration of the artificial intelligence system. Running on the upcoming Arc “Alchemist” graphics card, the demo compares native 4K resolution with the upscaled equivalent, showing that it is possible to have an increase in visuals, which also, at least according to the video, reduces graphical anomalies, especially in the distance.
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While it’s impressive, Intel has its work cut out for it. While games such asHitman 3andDeath Strandingwill support XeSS, its rivals are already ahead of the game. Last year, AMD announced its FSR, which stands for FidelityFX Super Resolution, supported 47 games. Since then, that number has jumped to 75 with more likely to be added. On top of that, Nvidia has said its own DLSS, or Deep Learning Super Sampling, will continue to be compatible with more PC games as time moves on. However, where Intel may be able to pull ahead is in XeSS allegedly being open source, similar to FSR, while DLSS is only compatible with Nvidia’s RTX graphics cards.
WithIntel preparing to demo its Arc laptop this month, it’s getting closer and closer to the launch window. While Nvidia and AMD are the current combatants in the GPU arena, having a third company joining the market will create even more competition, but will also give potential buyers more options, providing the tech shortages don’t continue for much longer.
With theArc Alchemist originally due out in Q1 of this year, it seems thatIntelquietly pushed the date back. There was no official word given as to why this could be, but some believe it’s down to the tech giant making sure the drivers are ready. In this sense, it does give the company a bit of extra breathing space to work on the hardware, and keep showing off its upscaling AI as well.
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