XeSS 2 delivers snapshots and reduced latency

Along with the release of Battlemage graphics cards, Intel is also preparing to announce a major update to XeSS technology in the form of XeSS 2. As with competing FSR or DLSS, the new version will be a package of several features rather than just one. technology.

Of course, there remains upscaling, which Intel now calls XeSS-SR (Super Resolution). And if Intel had not hidden some information, this part would remain without a major update, although, of course, it has already received several since its release and will undoubtedly receive more. It’s still true that the best version of XMX only runs on Arc cards, but you can also run a fallback version via DP4a on an AMD or Nvidia graphics.

XeSS Frame Generation

The biggest news in XeSS 2 is image generationwhich Intel is introducing for the first time and will thus compete with Nvidia’s DLSS 3 FG and AMD’s FSR 3. But while FSR 3 works on all graphics cards, XeSS-FG, at least for now, will exclusive for Archit will still reach the first generation owners.

The technology is discussed in detail in a separate video by Tom Petersen, but in principle XeSS FG is not much different from the work of its competitors. XMX blocks take a new frame and a previous frame and, using data such as optical flow or motion vectors, try to calculate what the image might look like exactly between them, creating a new frame that is subsequently inserted between them when it should be in the correct interval. The frame rate is specifically mentioned by Petersen, so let’s hope it’s actually correct as it can be an issue with similar technologies.

Intel promises that with this combination of XeSS (upscaling + frame generation) up to triple productivitybut correctly adds that while XeSS-SR does increase performance, with at best little or no loss in image quality, XeSS-FG only increases image smoothnesswhat we feel. The second important data in the form of delay, on the contrary, increases due to the principle of image generation and the game is not that responsive as is the case with the native frame rate. But that’s exactly what the second new technology is thinking about.

Kcell

She’s alone Kcellthat is, Xe Low Latency, and basically we are talking about similar to Nvidia’s Reflex technology or AMD’s Anti-Lag technology. XeLL ensures that the queue of images waiting to be processed by the video card does not overflow and, on the contrary, is regularly serviced. Petersen once again described the operation in detail on video.

The result anyway significant reduction in latencypractically up to half the original cost. XeLL is so practical required to use generated imagesbecause with it you get the same amount of milliseconds of latency as without using FG, but of course with higher overall smoothness due to the frames generated.

XeLL is also available only for Arc card holders and requires, like creating images, integration into the games themselves. But it will also be available similar technology at driver levelwhich will provide support mainly for older games using the DirectX 11 or DirectX 9 API.

Supported Games

There is no support for XeSS 2 yet. confirmed for 10 titles:

• Assassin’s Creed Shadows
• Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions
• RoboCop: Rogue City
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
• Dying Light 2 Stay human
• F1 24
• Ascendant
• Marvel Rivals
• Killer Floor 3
• Citadels

However, XeSS scaling is already available in over 150 games, and you can expect XeSS 2 support to expand rapidly as well.