Whether you dismiss it as 'fake frames' or embrace the tech as a real game changer, frame generation has fast become a headlining act of this GPU generation. We've since discovered that not all frame gen (FG) tech is created equal, but AMD has promised to address a key criticism of its own FSR FG.
Earlier this week, AMD's Jack Huynh announced that FSR 4.1 would be shipping early to RX 6000 graphics cards, though that wasn't all. Huynh also announced that improvements to FSR's frame pacing were on the way, too.
Personally, I'm more familiar with Nvidia's approach to FG—especially after unlocking Multi Frame Gen on my RTX 4070 Super earlier this year. AMD's FSR has often been criticised for how it struggles with frame pacing in comparison. Ie, you may have lots of frames , but not every one of them is displayed for a consistent amount of time, making for gameplay that's a different flavour of choppy.
The issue can affect frames both traditionally rendered and generated, and it's been a stumbling block since at least FSR 3. For example, CD Projekt noted gamers may experience micro stutter back when Cyberpunk 2077 got official support for the tech in 2024. As recently as August this year, Hardware Unboxed's testing demonstrated that pacing is still an issue in games that support both FSR 3.1 and FSR 4 (via Videocardz).
It's good to hear that AMD is focusing on this issue, but without a solid timeline or a list of hardware set to enjoy these frame pacing improvements, this week's announcement amounts to little more than, 'We know, and we're working on it!'
Also conspicuously absent was any mention of Multi Frame Generation on AMD GPUs. Currently, AMD's Frame Generation generates one intermediary frame, though third-party developers have managed to crank that far higher. We already know MFG is on the way for AMD hardware, the question is more 'how soon?'
Here's hoping AMD's officially supported frame pacing improvements for FSR arrive before an enterprising third-party can show them how it's done.
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