ROG Xbox Ally X adds NPU-based Auto SR upscaling in preview
Finally someone found a purpose for the NPU.
Microsoft has enabled Automatic Super Resolution on the ROG Xbox Ally X, but this is (still) not a full public rollout. The feature is now available in preview for Xbox Insiders and only on the ROG Xbox Ally X when the handheld is docked to an external display. Quite the asterix if you ask me.
Auto SR is Microsoft’s system-level upscaling feature for Windows 11. It renders games at a lower resolution and upscales the output to improve image quality and performance. On the ROG Xbox Ally X, Microsoft says the feature can deliver 1440p-like visuals on larger screens while maintaining higher frame rates. In one Forza Horizon 5 example, Microsoft claims more than a 30% FPS boost compared to native 1440p rendering.
Only for Ryzen AI Z2 (with AMD XDNA NPU)
The feature uses the NPU inside the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor (the AI is the part that makes it different from Legion Go 2). Microsoft says this allows Auto SR to run in parallel with the GPU, reducing the impact on frame time. The company also says this approach adds one frame of latency, which is the trade-off for running a larger upscaling model outside the GPU render path.
© Microsoft Microsoft lists Xbox Insider enrollment, docked display mode, Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, the latest graphics and NPU drivers, the latest Auto SR package and DirectX 10 or newer games. It’s like they are trying to add something useful for gamers, but also make it as hard as possible to enable.
Regardless, Microsoft also recommends a 720p input resolution on ROG Xbox Ally X, with Auto SR supporting input resolutions between 700p and 900p. DirectX 9, Vulkan, OpenGL and x86-only games are not supported.
This update also brings several docking changes to both ROG Xbox Ally models. When docked, gameplay now moves to the TV automatically and the handheld display turns off. Microsoft also added automatic gaming mode support for Samsung, LG and Vizio smart TVs, a Game Bar display widget, improved controller pairing, Gamepad Cursor support, super wideband stereo voice and enhanced vibration.
Auto Super Resolution Preview
We previously introduced Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR), designed to make games look sharper and play smoother, and shared that it would be coming to the ROG Xbox Ally X. Starting today, Auto SR is available in preview for Xbox Insiders on the ROG Xbox Ally X, to help us test and refine the experience.
For years, players have had to choose between visual quality and performance: turn up resolution and framerate drops or dial it back and the image suffers. When docked and connected to an external display, Auto SR changes that equation, delivering 1440p-like detail alongside smooth framerates on larger screens, where every pixel counts. As part of this preview, we’ve also added Game Bar integration, letting Xbox Insiders easily control when Auto SR is applied to their games.
We’re excited to hear feedback from the Xbox Insider community as we continue improving Auto SR and expanding where it can be applied. For a deeper dive, including examples and tips, check out the Auto SR DirectX blog.
If you prefer video, The Phawx has a good explainer.
Source: Xbox Wire
