AMD extends FSR 4.1 upscaling technology to legacy Radeon hardware
The chipmaker confirms July rollout for RX 7000 series and early 2027 update for Steam Deck, following initial March launch on RX 9000-series.
AMD has announced the expansion of its FSR 4.1 upscaling technology to older graphics card architectures, extending the AI-powered solution beyond its initial launch on Radeon RX 9000-series GPUs. The move aims to deliver improved performance and visual fidelity to users of legacy hardware, including the Radeon RX 7000 and RX 6000 series, as well as devices such as the Steam Deck.
Jack Huynh, AMD’s head of computing and graphics, confirmed the rollout timeline via an announcement on X. GPUs utilising AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture, which encompasses the Radeon RX 7000 series, will receive the FSR 4.1 upgrade in July. This initial phase of the expansion will support over 300 titles, including Cyberpunk 2077, Battlefield 6, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
The subsequent phase of the update is scheduled for early 2027, when RDNA 2 chips will gain access to the technology. This architecture includes mobile and handheld devices such as the Steam Deck, broadening the scope of AMD’s upscaling capabilities across its installed base. The technology was originally introduced in March for the newer Radeon RX 9000-series graphics cards.
Huynh noted that because RDNA 3 and RDNA 2 chips lack the specific hardware required for native FSR 4.1 operation, the company had to undertake significant engineering work. He stated that AMD had to “carefully tune, optimize, and validate the model” to ensure compatibility with the older silicon.
To verify the stability and quality of the adaptation, Huynh said the company tested the software across hundreds of PC configurations and games. The objective was to ensure that visuals remained sharp and that the technology functioned correctly out of the box for end users.
FSR 4.1 is an AI-powered upscaling technology designed to boost frame rates while offering sharper visuals and smoother gameplay. By extending the technology to older architectures, AMD is attempting to maintain the relevance and performance of existing hardware without requiring immediate upgrades to newer components.
The expansion represents a strategic effort to maximise the utility of AMD’s existing user base. While the technical specifics of how the AI model is adapted for hardware lacking native support remain general, the company emphasised that extensive validation was conducted to mitigate performance issues.
The July update marks a significant step in AMD’s software strategy, allowing a wider array of gamers to access advanced upscaling features. The subsequent 2027 rollout for RDNA 2 devices will further cement the technology’s presence across the company’s diverse portfolio of graphics solutions.
