Intel launches XeSS 1.3 with new upscaling profiles
Intel has released a new version of XeSS, its upscaling technology powered by machine learning. The company announced that XeSS is now available in over 100 titles.
XeSS 1.3,Source: Intel
The latest version of XeSS brings performance improvements compared to the previous one. However, it’s important to note that Intel has changed the resolution scaling for known upscaling profiles. Despite being named similarly, Intel is making comparisons between profiles with different scaling. These do show improved performance, but is mainly achieved from the lower resolution (higher upscaling) rather than an improved XeSS performance.
Intel updated the XeSS 1.3 algorithm with a new AI model, claiming optimizations through additional training. This model purportedly enables the display of more visually complex elements, better image reconstruction, improved anti-aliasing, reduced ghosting, and enhanced temporal stability.
XeSS 1.3,Source: Intel
In addition to the update, Intel introduced two new profiles: Ultra Performance and Ultra Quality Plus. They also launched a competitor to NVIDIA DLAA called Native Anti-Aliasing , which seemingly applies only anti-aliasing without upscaling.
Gamers should be aware that the new profiles feature different scaling. Ultra Quality has shifted from 1.3x to 1.5x, while Quality has increased from 1.5x to 1.7x. Similarly, Balanced profiles now have higher upscaling from 1.7x to 2.0x, and Performance scaling has risen from 2.0x to 2.3x. Additionally, Ultra Performance profiles will now upscale images by 3 times.
| XeSS 1.3 Profiles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preset | Resolution scaling in previous X e SS versions | Resolution scaling in X e SS 1.3 |
| Native Anti-Aliasing 🆕 | N/A | 1.0x (Native resolution) |
| Ultra Quality Plus 🆕 | N/A | 1.3x |
| Ultra Quality | 1.3x | 1.5x |
| Quality | 1.5x | 1.7x |
| Balanced | 1.7x | 2.0x |
| Performance | 2.0x | 2.3x |
| Ultra Performance 🆕 | N/A | 3.0x |
XeSS 1.3,Source: Intel
Intel has made several comparisons between XeSS 1.2 and 1.3. However, given that each profile was affected by changes to resolution, gamers may find these comparisons somewhat meaningless. Once XeSS becomes available, one will be able to compare both profiles in terms of performance and more importantly in terms of quality.
The company has announced that developers can begin integrating XeSS 1.3 as the SDK was released today. It’s worth recalling that Intel had promised to open-source XeSS even before its release, a promise that has yet to be fulfilled.
Source: Intel