Intel is improving XeSS, but still lacks native frame generation functionality

Intel has made improvements to XeSS by releasing an updated version 1.3.1 of the Intel XeSS SDK for its image scaling technology. The update includes bug fixes and stability improvements. However, the technology still lacks its own frame generation function.

Image Source: Intel

However, XeSS is still inferior to competing solutions from NVIDIA and AMD. Unlike DLSS and FSR, Intel technology still does not have its own frame generation function. XeSS users must rely on games that support both XeSS and AMD’s FSR 3 frame generation technology.

Despite the lag in some aspects, support for XeSS in games is gradually expanding. The technology is often found in ports of games from PlayStation to PC, as well as in large projects of the AAA and AA categories. According to official data, XeSS is supported in 105 games. However, a search on SteamDB shows that the technology is already present in 228 products, including demos and benchmarks.

A positive aspect of Intel XeSS compared to AMD FSR 3 is the ability to use artificial intelligence to improve image quality. This gives XeSS a slight edge in image quality over AMD FSR and brings it closer to the market leader, Nvidia DLSS. However, if AMD FSR starts using built-in AI hardware in its GPUs, this advantage could quickly disappear.

It’s important to note that while the Intel XeSS SDK is available on GitHub, the full source code for XeSS remains closed. Intel does not make all the necessary files for the technology to work publicly, keeping them secret, even though more than a year has passed since the release of XeSS.