In the world of PC gaming, image quality and performance go hand in hand. As GPUs become more powerful, so do the technologies designed to enhance visuals without sacrificing frame rates. Two of the most important AI-powered upscaling technologies in 2025 are AMD’s FSR 4 (FidelityFX Super Resolution) and NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 (Deep Learning Super Sampling).
For the first time, AMD’s FSR 4 is not just catching up—it’s competing closely with DLSS in both performance and image quality. But which is truly better, and what should you consider when choosing your next GPU?
Let’s break it all down step by step, comparing performance, image quality, game support, and usability so you can make an informed decision.
🧠 Understanding FSR 4 and DLSS 4 — A Quick Refresher
Before we get into benchmarks and image comparisons, let’s clear up what these technologies are, how they work, and where they’re available.
🟥 What is FSR 4?
FSR 4 is AMD’s latest AI-assisted upscaling solution, exclusive to RDNA 4 GPUs like the RX 960 XT and RX 970 XT. Unlike older FSR versions that worked across most GPUs, FSR 4 uses AI acceleration baked into AMD’s latest architecture.
💡 FSR 4 does not include frame generation at launch, but you can pair it with FSR 3.1’s frame generation temporarily until AMD’s upcoming “Redstone” update enables native AI frame generation.
Currently, FSR 4 is only available in a limited number of games (about 65) that support FSR 3.1. To enable it:
- Turn on FSR 4 via AMD Software.
- Launch a supported FSR 3.1 title — it’ll automatically switch to FSR 4.
🟩 What is DLSS 4?
DLSS 4 is NVIDIA’s latest Transformer-based AI model used for Super Resolution. It’s available on all RTX GPUs, not just the latest generation.
🚫 In this article, we’re not discussing frame generation or multiframe techniques—just the upscaling component of DLSS 4.
DLSS 4’s advanced model is typically enabled through the NVIDIA app, except in a few titles like Cyberpunk 2077, where it’s natively selectable.
🎮 Let’s Talk Numbers — Performance Benchmarks
So far, we’ve set the stage. Now, let’s move into the real-world performance results at 1440p resolution, using performance mode (which renders at 720p).
🧪 Test Setup:
- AMD RX 960 XT (16 GB VRAM)
- NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti (16 GB VRAM)
- All games tested at ultra/high settings, no ray tracing
⚔️ Game 1: Oblivion Remastered
- RTX 5060 Ti (DLSS 4 OFF): 34 FPS
- DLSS 4 ON (Performance Mode): 68 FPS
- RX 960 XT (Base): 38 FPS
- FSR 4 ON: 70 FPS
📊 Verdict: Virtually identical performance with both FSR 4 and DLSS 4. Impressive.
⚙️ Game 2: Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2
- RTX 5060 Ti: 66 → 97 FPS (+47%)
- RX 960 XT: 57 → 78 FPS (+37%)
📊 Verdict: DLSS 4 takes a slight edge in performance gains here.
👻 Game 3: Ghost of Tsushima
- RTX 5060 Ti: 58 → 101 FPS (+74%)
- RX 960 XT: 65 → 106 FPS (+63%)
📊 Verdict: FSR 4 delivers a slightly higher final frame rate, but DLSS 4 had a bigger percentage boost.
🖼️ Image Quality — Clarity vs Fidelity
Now comes the part that matters most for gamers and creators — image quality. Let’s move to that next.
🔍 Ghost of Tsushima:
- DLSS 4: Reconstructs more detail than native in some scenes (e.g. sword detail).
- FSR 4: Matches native resolution, but may suffer from ghosting artifacts in fast-moving scenes (like ember particles).
📸 Verdict: DLSS 4 provides better edge clarity, but FSR 4 handles dynamic grass motion slightly better.
🔍 Warhammer 40K:
- DLSS 4: Enhances fine details (e.g. armor texture, scroll text).
- FSR 4: Slightly blurs fine textures, even compared to native.
📸 Verdict: DLSS 4 clearly offers superior reconstruction of micro-details.
🔍 Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (Benchmark):
- DLSS 4: Brings out intricate details in architecture during slow camera pans.
- FSR 4: Lags slightly behind in motion fidelity but holds strong during gameplay.
📸 Verdict: DLSS 4 wins in slow, detailed scenes. Both look great in real gameplay.
🧩 Game Support — The Real Differentiator
So far, FSR 4 and DLSS 4 are neck-and-neck in quality and speed. But there’s one area where NVIDIA has a clear lead: game support.
📈 Game Support Comparison
| Feature | DLSS 4 | FSR 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Available Games (Approx.) | 120+ (direct) / 600+ (all DLSS versions) | 65 (via FSR 3.1) |
| Update Flexibility | Easily override to latest model | Limited to in-game version |
| Ecosystem | Supported by tools like DLSS Swapper, Nvidia Profile Inspector | Locked to AMD Software |
📊 Verdict: DLSS 4 is supported in far more titles and is easier to apply universally. FSR is catching up, but still lags behind.
🧠 FAQ — You Might Be Wondering…
❓ Can I use DLSS 4 or FSR 4 on older GPUs?
- DLSS 4: Yes, available on all RTX GPUs.
- FSR 4: No, exclusive to RDNA4.
❓ Do these technologies work with frame generation?
- FSR 4: Frame gen currently only with FSR 3.1 (Redstone update coming soon).
- DLSS 4: Frame gen is a separate feature and works only on newer RTX cards.
❓ Can I use them in every game?
Not yet. Both require either native game support or driver override tricks (e.g. through AMD/NVIDIA apps).
🏁 Final Thoughts — FSR 4 Has Arrived, But DLSS 4 Still Wins… For Now
Let’s wrap it up. FSR 4 is the real deal—for the first time, AMD’s upscaling tech competes head-to-head with DLSS. The differences in performance and image quality are surprisingly minor.
However, NVIDIA still has the edge:
- DLSS 4 looks slightly sharper.
- It’s easier to implement in more games.
- It’s more widely supported out of the box.
But if you’re using an RDNA4 GPU? You’ll be happy to know FSR 4 is a massive leap forward. It’s not just usable—it’s impressive.
🏷️ Tags:
fsr 4 vs dlss 4, amd rx960 xt, nvidia rtx 5060 ti, upscaling comparison, gaming performance 2025, fsr4 image quality, dlss4 benchmark, amd rdna4, ai upscaling gpu, super resolution 2025
🔖 Hashtags:
#FSR4 #DLSS4 #AMDvsNVIDIA #UpscalingTech #GamingPerformance #RX960XT #RTX5060Ti #PCGaming2025 #AIUpscaling #RDNA4
Disclaimer: The results shared in this article reflect performance and image quality observed as of mid-2025 using early builds and limited game support. Final results may vary based on future driver updates, hardware configurations, and individual game patches. Always check official AMD and NVIDIA documentation for the latest feature support.
