Introduction to FSR 4

AMD has recently unveiled its new FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4) upscaling technology, debuted on the latest Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 Ti GPUs. This innovative technology is not limited to PCs, as it is expected to be implemented on the PlayStation 5 Pro through a software update, rather than requiring new hardware.

Implementation on PS5 Pro

According to a recent interview with Mark Cerny published by Digital Foundry, a version of FSR 4 will be made available on the PS5 Pro for 2026 titles, serving as the next evolution of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). PSSR is a custom upscaling technology that allows the console to run lower-resolution versions of games, making them appear as if they were in 4K. Cerny’s explanation reveals that PSSR was created using a combination of existing and future AMD technologies.

Performance of FSR 4

Based on reviews of AMD’s new GPUs, FSR 4 is not a dramatic improvement, but it does offer more detail in exchange for a potentially lower frame rate compared to FSR 3. While the enhancements may be subtle, they are likely to make a difference for users who have invested in a "Pro" console. A comparison video illustrates the improvements FSR 4 provides.

Collaboration Between Sony and AMD

The implementation of FSR 4 on the PS5 Pro is possible due to the collaboration between Sony and AMD, known as "Project Amethyst." This partnership has contributed to the development of FSR 4, with the neural network and training recipe in FSR 4’s upscaler being the first results of this collaboration. According to Cerny, "The neural network (and training recipe) in FSR 4’s upscaler are the first results of the Amethyst collaboration."

Future Implications

The collaboration between Sony and AMD was announced with a focus on building new machine learning architecture for game graphics. However, it will have more immediate impacts on PSSR and current PlayStation consoles. As Cerny tells Digital Foundry, "FSR 4 and this next evolution of PSSR are a paradigm for our future. Going forward, we expect to have our own implementations of each of the algorithms developed through the collaboration." This partnership is expected to have significant implications for the future of game graphics and console technology.