Microsoft is launching a brand new Computerized tremendous decision (Auto SR) function on its upcoming Copilot Plus PCs that can compete with upscale applied sciences like Nvidia’s DLSS. The AI-based Auto SR function will routinely upscale sport resolutions and enhance body charges, and Microsoft is now detailing precisely the way it’s completely different to DLSS, XeSS, and FSR.
Auto SR will likely be built-in into Home windows 11, and obtainable on Copilot Plus gadgets which have a devoted Neural Processing Unit (NPU). It’s designed to work with present video games with no handbook configurations required and no want for sport builders to vary how their video games are rendered.
“Auto SR is completely different from tremendous decision applied sciences like AMD FidelityFX Tremendous Decision, Intel XeSS, and NVIDIA DLSS Tremendous Decision constructed into video games,” says the DirectX group in a weblog put up. “These approaches require video games to change their rendering, for instance, through the use of jitter and MIP bias so as to add finer particulars. In distinction, Auto SR tackles the duty of enhancing video games with out the additional data to enhance video games as they exist at this time.”
Auto SR makes use of bigger on-device AI fashions mixed with the NPU on Copilot Plus gadgets to use AI enhancements to sport visuals, all whereas rendering a sport at a decrease decision to enhance body charges. Microsoft is offloading the work on to the NPU right here so it’s not even hitting the GPU to get upscaling working. “This strategic shift not solely improves framerates but additionally enhances the power effectivity of every body rendered, considerably boosting the general gaming expertise,” says the DirectX group.
There’s a slight latency tradeoff, although. “Whereas operating our massive mannequin, Auto SR introduces a single body of latency on common because it makes use of AI to considerably increase your sport’s visuals,” admits Microsoft. We’ll have to check this absolutely to see if that single body is noticeable, and which video games it impacts greater than others.
At launch on June 18th, Microsoft is barely routinely enhancing 11 video games which were examined to enhance visible high quality, framerates, or a mixture of each. Borderlands 3, Management (DX11), Darkish Souls III, God of Struggle, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, Sekiro Shadows Die Twice, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 and The Witcher 3, are all on the launch checklist which were verified by Microsoft.
That checklist will develop over time, and it’s straightforward to toggle the Auto SR function on or off and alter settings for particular person video games. Microsoft says it’s also possible to “discover this function on further untested video games,” and power the setting on. “There could also be some quirks and we will’t assure it should apply or enhance your expertise,” warns Microsoft.
The primary set of Copilot Plus PCs are set to launch on June 18th with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips, so it received’t be lengthy till we see how properly Microsoft’s Auto SR works in actuality. The function may even ultimately be obtainable on new AMD- and Intel-powered Copilot Plus PCs, though it appears like these machines received’t have Copilot Plus AI options till a post-launch replace ships.
Microsoft is now engaged on Auto SR enhancements, together with help for HDR and multiple-monitor configurations. “As we proceed to discover Auto SR capabilities, we sit up for exploring bringing Auto SR to extra gadgets and a broader collection of x64 emulated video games,” says the DirectX group.