Steam Deck users can now access AMD’s latest FSR 4 upscaling technology through community plugins, delivering significant image quality improvements despite not being officially supported on the handheld’s hardware.
FSR 4 on Steam Deck Performance
Thanks to dedicated community developers, even the Steam Deck can now use FSR4 through unofficial plugins, bringing machine learning-powered upscaling to Valve’s popular handheld gaming device.
| Feature | FSR 3 | FSR 4 | Performance Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image Quality | Good upscaling | Almost all shimmering removed | Massive visual improvement |
| AI Technology | Traditional scaling | Machine learning-powered | Superior detail reconstruction |
| Power Usage | Lower consumption | Needs more power currently | Trade-off for quality |
| Compatibility | Native Steam Deck | Community plugin required | Unofficial support |
Visual Quality Breakthrough
FSR 4 is a massive improvement over FSR 3, taking away almost all the shimmering and looking incredible. The technology uses custom ML models trained on AMD EPYC and Instinct accelerators to upgrade the AI upscaling algorithm.
Performance Considerations
While the visual improvements are substantial, the upscaler needs more power in this current state, which can make some games that would be used for it unplayable. Users need to balance visual quality against battery life and performance.
How Steam Deck FSR Works
Games should be set to 720p (1280 x 720) or lower, since the console’s native screen resolution is 1280 x 800. FSR then upscales the lower resolution to improve visual clarity while maintaining playable framerates.
Future Implications
Originally, RDNA 3 GPUs will not gain FSR 4 upscaling, making this community achievement particularly impressive. The Steam Deck’s custom AMD APU technically shouldn’t support FSR 4, but clever workarounds have made it possible.
Steam Deck 2 Prospects
This development suggests promising potential for future Steam Deck hardware, which could natively support FSR 4’s advanced machine learning capabilities for enhanced portable gaming experiences.
The community’s success in bringing FSR 4 to Steam Deck demonstrates the ongoing innovation in handheld gaming optimization, offering users a taste of next-generation upscaling technology on current hardware.
FAQs
Is FSR 4 officially supported on Steam Deck?
No, FSR 4 works through community plugins despite not being officially supported.
What’s the main benefit of FSR 4 over FSR 3 on Steam Deck?
FSR 4 eliminates almost all shimmering with machine learning-powered upscaling quality.
