AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) Explained

Estimated Lesson Time: 35–45 Minutes

Lesson Overview

Throughout this module, we’ve explored how graphics drivers and modern rendering technologies can improve Microsoft Flight Simulator’s performance.

In this lesson, we’ll focus on AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR).

FSR is AMD’s upscaling technology, designed to improve performance by rendering the simulator at a lower internal resolution before intelligently scaling the image back up to your monitor’s native resolution.

Although FSR was developed by AMD, it is available on a wide range of graphics cards, including many NVIDIA GPUs.

Understanding how FSR works—and how it compares with NVIDIA DLSS—will help you choose the best upscaling method for your hardware.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson you will understand:

What AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution is.

How FSR works.

The different FSR quality modes.

How FSR compares to DLSS.

Performance differences.

Image quality differences.

When FSR is the better choice.

When another rendering method may be more appropriate.

1. What Is FSR?

AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution is an image upscaling technology.

Instead of rendering the simulator at your monitor’s full resolution, FSR renders at a lower internal resolution.

The completed image is then reconstructed and scaled to your display’s native resolution.

For example:

Your monitor may be running at:

3840 × 2160 (4K)

With FSR enabled, the simulator might internally render at a lower resolution before reconstructing the final image.

Because fewer pixels are rendered, the GPU has less work to perform.

This usually results in:

• Higher FPS.
• Lower GPU utilisation.
• Improved smoothness in GPU-limited scenarios.

2. Why Does Upscaling Improve Performance?

The graphics card’s workload is heavily influenced by the number of pixels it must render.

Higher resolutions require significantly more calculations.

Approximate pixel counts:

1080p:

≈ 2 million pixels.

1440p:

≈ 3.7 million pixels.

4K:

≈ 8.3 million pixels.

Rendering fewer pixels allows the GPU to complete each frame more quickly.

FSR then reconstructs the image to appear closer to the monitor’s native resolution.

3. How Does FSR Work?

FSR analyses the lower-resolution image and reconstructs additional detail.

Modern versions of FSR include improved edge reconstruction and sharpening techniques designed to maintain image clarity while increasing performance.

Unlike DLSS, FSR does not rely on dedicated AI hardware.

This makes it compatible with a much wider range of graphics cards.

4. FSR Quality Modes

Microsoft Flight Simulator provides several FSR quality presets.

Each mode changes the internal rendering resolution.

Native AA

Native AA renders at your monitor’s full resolution while applying anti-aliasing.

Advantages:

• Best native image quality.
• No upscaling artefacts.
• Excellent cockpit clarity.

Disadvantages:

• Highest GPU workload.

Quality

Quality Mode renders at a slightly lower internal resolution before reconstruction.

Advantages:

• Excellent balance.
• Noticeable FPS improvement.
• Very good image quality.

Recommended for most users choosing FSR.

Balanced

Balanced Mode reduces the internal rendering resolution further.

Advantages:

• Higher FPS.

Disadvantages:

• Slightly softer image.
• Small reduction in distant detail.

Useful for more demanding hardware combinations.

Performance

Performance Mode significantly reduces internal rendering resolution.

Advantages:

• Largest FPS gains.

Disadvantages:

• Softer cockpit displays.
• Reduced ground detail.
• More noticeable reconstruction artefacts.

Best reserved for higher resolutions such as 4K when additional performance is required.

Ultra Performance

Some implementations may also include Ultra Performance.

This is designed primarily for extremely high resolutions and prioritises performance over image quality.

For most users, this mode introduces too much image degradation and is not recommended for regular flying.

5. FSR vs DLSS

Although both technologies aim to improve performance, they achieve this in different ways.

FSR

• Developed by AMD.
• Works on many AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards.
• Does not require Tensor Cores.
• Broad hardware compatibility.

DLSS

• Developed by NVIDIA.
• Requires compatible RTX graphics cards.
• Uses dedicated Tensor Cores and AI-assisted reconstruction.

Image Quality Comparison

In many situations:

DLSS generally produces:

• Cleaner edges.
• Better image reconstruction.
• Reduced shimmering.
• Improved stability in fine details.

FSR generally provides:

• Very good image quality.
• Excellent compatibility.
• Strong performance improvements.

The exact difference depends on:

• Simulator version.
• Resolution.
• Aircraft.
• Weather.
• Display size.
• Personal preference.

6. Performance Comparison

Both technologies reduce GPU workload by rendering fewer pixels.

Performance gains vary depending on:

• GPU.
• Resolution.
• Graphics settings.
• Weather.
• Airport complexity.

In GPU-limited scenarios:

FSR can provide a significant improvement in frame rate.

DLSS may achieve similar or greater gains while often producing cleaner image reconstruction on supported RTX hardware.

7. CPU vs GPU Impact

FSR is primarily a GPU optimisation technology.

It reduces the amount of work the graphics card performs by lowering the internal rendering resolution.

If your simulator is MainThread limited, enabling FSR is unlikely to produce a large increase in FPS because the CPU remains the bottleneck.

Always identify whether you are CPU-limited or GPU-limited before changing rendering technologies.

8. When Is FSR The Better Choice?

FSR is often an excellent option when:

• You own an AMD graphics card.
• You have an older NVIDIA GPU that does not support DLSS.
• You are GPU limited.
• You want improved performance with broad hardware compatibility.
• You prefer using an open technology available across multiple GPU brands.

9. When Might DLSS Be Better?

DLSS is often worth considering when:

• You own a supported RTX graphics card.
• You prioritise maximum image reconstruction quality.
• You want AI-assisted upscaling.
• You fly at higher resolutions where DLSS can provide excellent image quality with improved performance.

10. Common Myths

Myth 1

“FSR only works on AMD graphics cards.”

False.

FSR is compatible with many NVIDIA graphics cards as well.

Myth 2

“FSR always looks blurry.”

False.

Image quality depends on:

• Resolution.
• Quality mode.
• Simulator version.
• Display size.

Quality Mode can provide a very good balance between performance and clarity.

Myth 3

“FSR increases CPU performance.”

False.

FSR primarily reduces GPU workload.

It does not remove CPU bottlenecks.

Myth 4

“Performance Mode is always the best.”

False.

Performance Mode increases FPS but also reduces image quality.

The best choice depends on your hardware and priorities.