FSR Archives

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Nvidia DLSS 4.5 doesn’t deliver upscaling miracles, but its most exciting feature is still to come

Nvidia has released DLSS 4.5, featuring a new Super Resolution upscaling model called Model M, which is available for over 400 games via the DLSS Override feature. This model uses a second-generation Transformer AI architecture, significantly improving image quality compared to earlier versions. It requires five times the compute power of the original transformer model and has been trained on a high-fidelity dataset for better scene interpretation. Users may experience slight performance impacts, especially on older graphics cards, but testing on an RTX 4080 Super showed minimal frame rate drops. A recent demonstration showcased DLSS 4.5's ability to upscale Red Dead Redemption 2 from 240p to 720p. Users can access DLSS 4.5 by updating the Nvidia App and selecting 'DLSS Override - Model Presets' in the settings.

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

Why Modern PC Games Are CPU-Bound Again

Modern PC gaming faces a challenge where gamers experience underutilized GPUs at around 60% capacity, leading to faltering frame rates despite investing in high-end graphics cards. This issue arises not from CPU inadequacy but from gaming demands evolving faster than how games utilize CPU power. Players upgrading to more powerful GPUs like the RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XT report minimal frame rate improvements, particularly at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, with CPU cores being pushed to their limits while GPU usage declines. This trend is evident across various game genres, and even DirectX 12, which offers improved multithreading, struggles to scale effectively beyond six to eight cores. Developers recognize these CPU limitations but find it challenging to address them. Modern games simulate numerous elements continuously, rely on real-time asset streaming, and face difficulties in distributing workloads effectively across CPU cores. Additionally, console hardware influences game design, often leading to CPU-bound scenarios on high-end PCs. Performance varies between Intel and AMD CPUs depending on game design, with some games demonstrating effective CPU scaling while others do not. CPU bottlenecks are expected to persist as GPU advancements outpace CPU improvements, emphasizing the need for gamers to consider CPU capabilities alongside GPU upgrades.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

Best Optimized PC Games of 2025

In 2025, several well-optimized PC games have gained recognition for their technical performance across various hardware configurations. An optimized PC game efficiently utilizes multiple CPU cores, avoids common pitfalls like limited field of view and poor controls, validates high GPU demands while accommodating older graphics cards, and addresses stuttering issues. Ninja Gaiden 4 is noted for its responsive controls and smooth gameplay across various systems, despite not having cutting-edge visuals. Dynasty Warriors: Origins has shown exceptional performance on PC, overcoming its historical optimization challenges. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 offers broad compatibility and a stutter-free experience, though its visuals do not meet franchise standards. Stellar Blade runs smoothly on a range of systems with impressive graphics and robust controls, maintaining stable performance even with Denuvo protection. ARC Raiders, an Unreal Engine 5 game, has achieved smooth performance without stuttering issues. Dying Light: The Beast provides an open-world experience that runs well on modest GPU power for 1080p gaming. DOOM: The Dark Ages combines stunning visuals with remarkable performance, even during intense action. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 runs smoothly across a wide range of GPUs without significant stuttering. Battlefield 6 is well-optimized and stable without requiring high-end hardware. Atomfall is highlighted as the most optimized rasterized PC game of 2025, achieving 60 FPS at native 4K on Ultra Settings with older GPUs like the NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

AMD’s Redstone update could revitalize FSR for PC games – here’s why Nvidia should be worried

AMD has launched FSR Redstone, accessible through the AMD Adrenalin 25.12.1 driver, featuring FSR Frame Generation, Ray Regeneration, and Radiance Caching, along with enhanced FSR Upscaling technology, compatible exclusively with RDNA 4 hardware (Radeon RX 9060 XT and RX 9070 XT/RX 9070 GPUs). Ray Regeneration will debut in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, with plans for future titles. The update aims to improve image quality and performance, closing the gap with Nvidia's DLSS 4 technology. However, it lacks backward compatibility with older GPUs, limiting its use to RDNA 4 hardware. FSR Radiance Caching is expected to enhance ray tracing performance in 2026, and the FSR Redstone SDK will facilitate easier integration into games.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

AMD FSR Redstone is an exciting and confusing upgrade for Radeon PC gamers

AMD has soft-launched its graphics technology suite, FSR Redstone, which enhances gaming performance. The number of games supporting FSR4 has increased to over 200 in three months, and AMD is introducing ML-based frame generation for more than 30 titles. FSR4 is now branded as “AMD FSR Upscaling,” integrated into the Redstone framework. FSR Redstone and FSR4 features are exclusive to Radeon RX 9000-series cards, which require activation in the AMD Software application and on a per-game basis. The adoption of the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT cards has been slow, with less than 0.15 percent of PC gamers using them, but they are now available at their original MSRP and have received positive reviews for performance.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

I’m fed up with gaming on Windows 11 — here’s how Valve’s Steam Machine can fix PC gaming

Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) was rolled out to all Windows-based handhelds on November 21, followed by a broader release for gaming rigs and laptops for Windows Insider members. The update process on Windows 11 was slow, causing frustration for users. Accessing the Xbox FSE through various shortcuts was unsuccessful, and the experience was marred by instability and frequent updates. A recent system update (KB5066835) resulted in a significant drop in gaming performance. The author expressed a preference for Linux and SteamOS due to their stability and user-friendly interface compared to Windows. The upcoming Steam Machine is anticipated for its compact design and potential for a hassle-free gaming experience.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 PC Performance Analysis

Activision has released Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, utilizing the IW Engine. Performance benchmarks were conducted using high-end hardware, including the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and various graphics cards such as the AMD Radeon RX 6900XT and NVIDIA RTX 4090, on a Windows 10 system. The game features over 300 customizable settings for PC gamers and supports Intel XeSS and AMD FSR 4.0. Ray Tracing is available in Multiplayer and Zombies modes but not in the Campaign. All tested GPUs achieved over 60 FPS at 1080p on maximum settings, with AMD hardware showing superior performance. At 1440p, most GPUs maintained smooth gameplay, except for the NVIDIA RTX 2080Ti. At Native 4K, the top five GPUs exceeded 60 FPS, with AMD GPUs performing well against NVIDIA counterparts. The game has visual appeal but suffers from pop-in issues and inconsistent texture quality. Gameplay is smooth with minimal stuttering and responsive controls. Overall, the game performs well across various PC configurations, though its visual quality may not meet franchise expectations.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

Seriously people, it’s fine the Steam Machine has just 8 GB of VRAM, but Valve ought to chill out on the ‘play every game at 4K60’ chat

Valve's Steam Machine has received a generally positive reception, but concerns have arisen regarding its allocation of 8 GB of VRAM. This issue has been a topic of contention, especially following the launch of Nvidia's RTX 4060 Ti, which also featured only 8 GB of VRAM, leading to consumer dissatisfaction. The RX 7600M, used in the Steam Machine, has 28 compute units and operates on a 128-bit bus width, making it challenging to accommodate 16 GB of VRAM without increasing costs and power consumption. Running memory modules in clamshell mode could be a solution, but it presents engineering challenges in a compact design. Increasing VRAM would raise the price, and with rising memory costs, manufacturers may prioritize regular DRAM production. Valve's decision to equip the Steam Machine with 8 GB of VRAM seems aimed at maintaining affordability, especially following the success of the Steam Deck. If the Steam Machine's price exceeds 0, the justification for its specifications may face scrutiny. There are also concerns about Valve's marketing claims regarding 4K capabilities, as the machine is likely to perform better at 1080p or 1440p rather than 4K.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

Valve announces new Steam Machine and Steam Controller

Valve is set to launch the Steam Machine and Steam Controller in early 2026. The Steam Machine is a compact PC running on a Linux-based SteamOS, featuring a customizable design, USB-A port, microSD card slot, DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and Ethernet ports. It is powered by a “semi-custom AMD Zen 4” CPU, “semi-custom AMD RDNA3” GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, with storage options of 512GB or 2TB SSD. It offers approximately six times the performance of the Steam Deck, enabling 4K gaming at 60 FPS. The Steam Controller is a wireless device that replicates the Steam Deck's control methods, featuring sticks, buttons, triggers, trackpads, and gyro controls, with Bluetooth and wired connectivity. It allows for customizable input methods for each game and is compatible with any device running Steam. Pricing details have not been disclosed, but they are expected to be competitive with equivalent PCs and gaming controllers.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

I’d pay $1,500 for an Xbox Ally X with 2.5x the performance, and this leaked AMD CPU could nudge that dream closer to reality

AMD is rumored to be developing the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 chip, featuring the largest integrated GPU it has produced, built on the Strix Halo design. This chip has a streamlined architecture with eight CPU cores and 40 compute units (CUs) based on RDNA 3.5 architecture, distinguishing it from its predecessor, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, which has 16 CPU cores. The Max+ 388's GPU is expected to be significantly more powerful than existing models like the Steam Deck and Xbox Ally X, potentially offering 2.5 times the performance of the Xbox Ally X. The current market for handheld gaming chips includes devices like the Steam Deck and Xbox Ally X, with the Max+ 388 anticipated to set a new benchmark for portable gaming performance. The only current handheld using the Strix Halo architecture is the GPD Win 5, priced around ,000.