After the FSR 4 code unofficially leaked this summer, analysts from ComputerBase conducted tests of the unofficial INT8 implementation of the technology. This version allows the use of the technology on older video cards from the Radeon RX 6000 and 7000 series. The atmosphere in the laboratories was electrified as the experts prepared to assess the capabilities of this adaptation.
Unlike the official FP8 version, created for the new RDNA 4 architecture (Radeon RX 9000), this adaptation uses simpler algorithms. This leads to noticeable differences in image quality and rendering speed. Observers note that while the machines generate frames, one can see how every detail is carefully analyzed.
FSR 4 INT8 functions without hardware support for the FP8 format, which makes it compatible with video cards with RDNA 2 and RDNA 3 architecture. However, according to the tests, the image shows instability. Details such as roofs, vegetation, and fences flicker more, especially in dynamic scenes. Artifacts appear on characters like Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West, and textures look less clear. The room was quiet as the experts analyzed the results.
"FSR 4 for RDNA 4 visually surpasses the leaked version for RDNA 3 and RDNA 2, but nevertheless FSR 4 Light is significantly better than FSR 3.1", note the journalists from ComputerBase. They emphasize that the new algorithm preserves most of the advantages of FSR 4, but cannot reach the smoothness and precision of the official FP8 version. Curiosity and professional interest in the work they were doing could be read on the faces of the analysts.
In terms of performance, FSR 4 INT8 leads to a drop of approximately 9-13% in frame rates on Radeon RX 6800 XT and RX 7800 XT. RDNA 4 models lose only 3-5%. At lower resolutions and aggressive settings, some RDNA 2 cards even outperform RDNA 3 in certain titles such as Cronos. In other titles, such as God of War Ragnarok, the RDNA 3 architecture maintains its advantage. The tension grew as the numbers appeared on the screens.
Despite the compromises, the leaked version of FSR 4 confirms that AMD continues to develop the scaling technology, with the goal of greater compatibility and accessibility. The official release for all architectures is expected in the coming months. Modders are already actively experimenting with the DLL files downloaded from GitHub. As new results come out, the audience remains in anticipation of the future of this technology.