Windows 11 Is Getting a Built-In Upscaler for Gaming | Lifehacker


Right now, if you wish to make the most of AI upscaling on Windows, you could lay out some money for it. Companies like Nvidia provide AI upscaling as a part of their graphics playing cards, and with out one, you are caught with the resolutions your PC can deal with natively. However, it appears like Microsoft is is altering that. Soon, you must be capable to upscale your video games natively in Windows 11, with no need a proprietary GPU.

Twitter consumer PhantomOcean3 confirmed off the brand new AI upscaler function in a tweet. If you are operating Windows 11 model 24H2, at present in testing within the Insider Preview, you will discover the choice beneath Settings > System > Displays > Graphics. Windows calls the function “Automatic super resolution,” and says it makes use of AI to “make supported games play more smoothly with enhanced details.” While the function would not appear energetic but, it signifies built-in AI upscaling is on its means.

As The Verge’s Tom Warren factors out, this function is harking back to AI upscalers from firms like AMD (FidelityFX), Intel (XeSS), and, specifically, Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). If Windows’ built-in AI upscaling function works near how Nvidia, AMD, and Intel’s upscalers do, that would take away the necessity to have {hardware} from one in every of these firms in your rig so as to take benefit.

What’s so nice about AI upscalers?

The fundamental good thing about native AI upscaling is the flexibility to render video games in the next decision with out the necessity for extra superior {hardware}. For instance, in the event you’re operating Windows 11 24H2 in your PC, you possibly can use this function to upscale a 1440p recreation to 4K, slightly than natively operating the sport within the 4K decision. The latter would sometimes be extra demanding in your GPU, and in case your {hardware} is not fairly highly effective sufficient, you possibly can run into slowdowns.

Upscaling from 1440p, nevertheless, can permit you to see enhanced particulars with out the pressure in your system. And if Microsoft actually desires to compete with upscalers like DLSS, they’re going to implement different perks, too. DLSS not solely upscales from 1440p to 4K, it additionally provides particulars that are not there when enjoying video games at 4K with DLSS disabled, and will increase body charges utilizing AI to “guess” what the extra frames ought to appear to be. Hopefully, Windows 11’s AI upscaler will provide related advantages, however on the very least, it is cool to see Microsoft reducing the bar for entry for this sort of expertise.