Intel has announced XeSS 2.1, the latest evolution of its gaming upscaling technology, now enabling artificial intelligence-based frame generation on a broad array of graphics hardware. No longer limited to its own Arc series, XeSS 2.1 opens up advanced frame interpolation to users of AMD Radeon RX 6000, 7000, and 9000 series, as well as Nvidia GeForce RTX 30, 40, and 50 cards. This is accomplished through a software framework that leverages Shader Model 6.4 compatibility, allowing a wider range of gamers to boost in-game frame rates and visual quality with Intel’s frame generation algos.
Previously, XeSS’s upscaling could run on non-Intel cards using compute shaders, but true frame generation—known as XeSS-FG—was restricted to Intel’s own hardware, where dedicated matrix cores handled the interpolation via neural networks. With XeSS 2.1, Intel introduced two artificial intelligence models for frame gen: one using dedicated matrix cores on Arc, and another optimized for the broader spectrum of AMD and Nvidia GPUs, processed using compute shaders. According to Intel, both models remain fully artificial intelligence-powered, promising quality results akin to or potentially surpassing competitors like Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR, especially given the move away from non-artificial intelligence methods.
This update means that even owners of Nvidia’s RTX 30-series, who cannot access Nvidia’s own DLSS Frame Generation, now have a viable alternative for generating high-quality interpolated frames, thanks to Intel’s artificial intelligence solution. However, a few hurdles remain. Games must update or add support for the new XeSS 2.1 features to unlock cross-vendor frame generation, and currently, the number of titles offering XeSS 2 is limited—only 22 as per Intel´s own listing. Nevertheless, this breakthrough increases flexibility and options for developers and gamers alike, reinforcing Intel’s position as a positive force for multi-vendor compatibility in the rapidly evolving world of graphics technology.
