AMD FSR 4—now called FSR Upscaling—aims to improve image stability, fine detail, particle effects, and ghosting compared with FSR 3.1. It is not a universal performance upgrade: results depend on the game, GPU, resolution, and quality mode, and AMD’s published comparison is not an independent benchmark. AMD’s current documentation lists discrete Radeon RX 7000- and RX 9000-series GPUs for FSR Upscaling 4. AMD has not confirmed support for current RDNA 3.5 handheld APUs.
What changed from FSR 3.1 to FSR 4?
AMD has renamed FSR 4 to FSR Upscaling. You may still see “FSR 4” in game menus or older coverage. “FSR Redstone” is the broader suite name for several machine-learning rendering features, not another name for upscaling alone. AMD’s current FSR overview explains the branding and available features.
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The main change is the upscaler’s approach: FSR Upscaling uses a machine-learning algorithm, while FSR 3.1 uses AMD’s earlier upscaling technology. AMD says the newer algorithm is designed to improve temporal stability, preserve detail, and reduce ghosting. Those are intended benefits, not a guarantee that every game or scene will look better.
Is FSR 4 better than FSR 3.1 for image quality?
AMD identifies several types of image improvement to look for. They matter most in motion, where temporal upscaling can reveal instability that a still image may not show:
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- Less ghosting: AMD says FSR Upscaling reduces trails around moving objects.
- Cleaner disocclusion: When a moving object reveals a previously hidden surface, the algorithm is designed to reduce visual artifacts there.
- More stable fine detail: Small or thin features and highly reflective surfaces are intended to flicker less.
- Better-preserved particles: AMD says moving particle effects retain detail without developers needing to provide Reactive or Transparency masks.
These are AMD’s claims in its FSR Upscaling documentation; the available sources do not establish an independent, controlled FSR 4 versus FSR 3.1 image-quality verdict across games. AMD’s own comparison images use an RX 9070 XT at 3840×2160, the High Quality preset, Performance mode, HDR off, motion blur disabled, and pre-release software. Treat them as an illustration under those specific conditions, not a result that applies to every GPU, game, or setting.
For a useful in-game comparison, focus on the same moving scene and match the resolution, upscaling mode, GPU, driver, and other image settings. Inspect thin geometry, reflections, moving particles, and the area behind objects as they move. A single paused frame may not reveal temporal flicker or ghosting.
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Does FSR 4 increase FPS?
Upscaling can improve rendering performance by having the game render fewer pixels and reconstructing the output image. The gain is not a fixed multiplier: it varies with the game, resolution, quality mode, GPU, and workload. A more demanding mode may produce a different balance of image quality and performance than a faster mode.
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AMD’s 2026 technical article reports that FSR Upscaling renders 4K frames in approximately 1.3 ms in Performance mode on an RX 9070 XT. This is AMD’s implementation measurement for that GPU and mode—not a direct, independently measured FPS comparison with FSR 3.1, and not a figure that can be applied to other hardware or games. AMD’s article also describes FSR Upscaling 4.1 updates, including sharper-image inference and improvements to Dynamic Resolution Scaling for smoother frame rates.
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Upscaling and frame generation are different
Upscaling reconstructs an image from a lower-resolution render. Frame generation inserts intermediate frames to increase the number of displayed frames; it is a separate feature, with different compatibility requirements and latency considerations. It should not be treated as an upscaling quality mode or as evidence that the game is rendering the same number of native frames.
AMD says FSR Upscaling can be combined with FSR Frame Generation and Radeon Anti-Lag 2 on RX 9000 cards, but the outcome depends on the game and implementation. AMD’s frame-generation documentation separately lists ML frame generation for RX 9000-series and newer GPUs, plus an analytical fallback for GPUs supporting Shader Model 6.2 or higher. Its Windows requirements also differ by method: the documentation lists both methods for Windows 11 and analytical frame generation for Windows 10. Those are frame-generation requirements, not the compatibility rules for FSR Upscaling.
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Which graphics cards support FSR 4?
AMD’s current GPUOpen documentation lists discrete Radeon RX 9000- and RX 7000-series graphics cards for FSR Upscaling 4. It says that on other hardware, the API automatically selects FSR 3.1.5 instead. The release notes also identify FSR Upscaling 4.1.1 support on RX 7000 discrete GPUs. Check AMD’s current requirements and release notes for the version relevant to a particular game.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesHardware support alone does not make the option available in every title. A game needs a suitable integration or supported software enablement. AMD says some games include the ML upscaler directly; in certain games with FSR 3.1 or later, AMD Software can swap in supported DLLs. Frame-generation upgrades have a higher integration threshold: AMD lists FSR 3.1.4 or later for that route. This does not mean any game with any version of FSR can be upgraded.
Does FSR 4 work on handhelds?
AMD has not confirmed FSR Upscaling 4.1 support for current handhelds using RDNA 3.5 APUs. The official upscaling documentation reviewed specifies discrete RX 7000- and RX 9000-series hardware; that desktop compatibility should not be extrapolated to handheld APUs without a specific AMD statement.
In a 2026 interview, AMD Client Division executive David McAfee said the company wants sufficient compute in a GPU or APU to deliver the intended quality and performance. Tom’s Guide reported that he did not confirm handheld support. That makes availability unannounced, not impossible or guaranteed.
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