AMD's FSR 4 coming to RDNA 2 could give the Xbox Series X a PS5 Pro-like upgrade

Earlier today, AMD Computing and Graphics SVP Jack Huynh announced what longtime Radeon gamers have been waiting a year for: AMD's new AI-powered FSR 4.1 is coming to RDNA 3 and RDNA 2-generation graphics cards. RDNA 3, which covers the Radeon RX 7000 Series, is set to get official support in July, with RDNA 2 cards in the Radeon RX 6000 Series set to get official support sometime in 2027.

This is huge because FSR 4 delivers a massive boost to image quality compared to FSR 3.1, especially when gaming at resolutions like 1080p and 1440p. FSR 4 was previously exclusive to RDNA 4 and desktop GPUs like the Radeon RX 9070 XT because it uses the lineup's second-generation AI Accelerators, which support FP8. With FSR 4.1 coming to RDNA 2 and RDNA 3 GPUs, AMD is implementing an INT8 version to ensure that it works on first-gen Radeon AI hardware.

Right off the bat, this is a big win for gaming handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw A8, and the upcoming Steam Machine from Valve. However, there's another potential big win on the horizon, and that's for Xbox Series X gamers. Unlike the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X features the full RDNA 2 suite of hardware and technologies, and FSR 4.1 on Microsoft's current flagship gaming console could deliver a PlayStation 5 Pro-level upgrade.

The reason for this is simple. Even though the PS5 Pro features a more powerful GPU than the baseline console, it's the inclusion of dedicated AI hardware and the arrival of Sony's own AI-powered PSSR upscaling and Super Resolution that have delivered the most impactful visual upgrade. FSR 4.1, running natively on the Xbox Series X, would immediately deliver a sharper, more detailed 4K image with less ghosting and motion blur.

In much the same way, it will level up PC gaming for RDNA 3 and RDNA 2 gamers and breathe new life into the Xbox Series X, a console the Xbox team and new CEO Asha Sharma have recently said it's recommitting to with regular updates and community-focused features. Native support for FSR 4.1 would be enough to give the edge over the baseline PlayStation 5. Unfortunately, with AMD stating that RDNA 2 GPUs will have to wait until 2027 for FSR 4.1, it probably won't be out in time for Xbox's big 2026 releases like Gears of War E-Day and Fable.