Intel expands XeSS 2 support to NVIDIA and AMD GPUs with SDK 2.1.0

Intel has announced the release of XeSS 2 SDK version 2.1.0, a significant update that brings support to a broad spectrum of graphics cards outside of Intel´s own lineup. With this release, GPUs from both NVIDIA and AMD are now able to tap into Intel´s suite of upscaling and frame generation technologies, provided they support Shader Model 6.4. This expands compatibility to include any GeForce GTX 10-series ´Pascal´ or newer card from NVIDIA and Radeon RX 5000 series or newer from AMD, dramatically increasing the reach of XeSS 2.

The updated SDK enables not just XeSS super resolution (XeSS SR), but also frame generation (XeSS FG) and a low latency feature (XeLL). However, it´s important to note that XeLL cannot be used independently and requires XeSS FG to be active, ensuring that all low latency advantages go hand in hand with frame generation support. This synergy is aimed squarely at enhancing real-time gaming experiences, raising both image quality and playback smoothness by leveraging advanced upscaling and timing reductions.

From a technical standpoint, XeSS 2´s super resolution and frame generation capabilities depend on DP4a compute instructions for processing across general consumer GPUs. Only Intel’s own Arc ´Alchemist´ and upcoming ´Battlemage´ graphics cards get the added benefit of XMX hardware accelerators, which further optimize performance. By releasing SDK 2.1.0 to the public, Intel empowers game developers to integrate this suite of features into their titles, further democratizing access to advanced image upscaling and smooth frame generation across multiple hardware platforms, not just Intel GPUs. This marks a strategic move in the competitive graphics ecosystem, as rival hardware now stands to benefit from Intel´s software innovations.