Microsoft plans to streamline PC game upscaling across Nvidia, AMD or Intel graphics cards

Microsoft has developed a brand new API to simplify super-resolution coding in PC gaming. The corporate’s DirectSR, developed with {hardware} companions Nvidia, AMD and Intel, will present a extra streamlined tunnel for builders to faucet into the businesses’ three distinct approaches to graphical upscaling in Home windows video games.

The corporate describes DirectSR as enabling “seamless integration of Tremendous Decision (SR)” for Home windows video games. “DirectSR is the lacking hyperlink builders have been ready for when approaching SR integration, offering a smoother, extra environment friendly expertise that scales throughout {hardware},” Microsoft program supervisor Joshua Tucker wrote in an organization weblog put up.

Tremendous-resolution is a know-how that enhances video games’ visible high quality with out pushing the graphics card too laborious. It runs video games internally in a decrease decision however makes use of machine studying (and different tips) to upscale the decision of what you see on the display screen. The result’s sharper graphics with solely a minimal further demand on the GPU.

Microsoft says the DirectSR API opens the door to “multi-vendor” super-resolution by way of “a typical set of inputs and outputs.” Tucker wrote {that a} single code path would allow “quite a lot of options” by way of the businesses’ three (in any other case distinct) solutions to super-resolution: Nvidia’s DLSS, AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Intel’s XeSS.

The three GPU distributors’ SR options differ. Nvidia’s AI-powered DLSS appears to carry out the most effective however requires an Nvidia graphics card. AMD’s FidelityFX is extra versatile, supporting opponents’ {hardware} along with its personal, whereas Intel’s XeSS presents AI upscaling for Intel {hardware} whereas nonetheless offering restricted assist for non-Intel GPUs.

Earlier this month, X (Twitter) consumer @PhantomofEarth noticed an AI-powered “Automated tremendous decision” setting in a Home windows Insider preview construct (24H2). Though it isn’t confirmed that it’s the identical factor, it sounds prefer it. The setting would permit you to “Use Al to make supported video games play extra easily with enhanced particulars.” The preview model presents the selection of utilizing a common / automated upscaling method or a per-game one. Initially speculated to be a rival super-resolution characteristic from Microsoft, it now seems “Automated tremendous decision” might find yourself because the consumer-facing model of the DirectSR API.

Microsoft says DirectSR will arrive for builders “quickly” in a public preview construct of the Agility SDK (a element of DirectX 12). In the event you’re a PC gaming developer, the corporate plans to enter extra element concerning the new API in its DirectX State of the Union on March 21 at GDC.