NVIDIA DLSS vs AMD FSR Test in Chernobylite – Image Quality Comparison. Which technique gives better results?

Next year, the long-awaited production of STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl will be released on PC and Xbox Series X, in which we will return to the Zone. However, before seeing the premiere of this long-awaited game, we had a smaller but also interesting production, which is Chernobylite. This is the title of a Polish studio, characterized by the use of the Unreal Engine 4 graphics engine. On the one hand, it runs on the old DirectX 11 API, on the other hand, we received two techniques from image upscaling. Of course, we’re talking about NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution. So far, only a few games (even if it’s better than nothing) use both methods at the same time, so we can compare them directly. So far in tests, NVIDIA DLSS has delivered better image quality overall, although at 4K resolution AMD FSR has often competed with DLSS. Chernobylite, however, will be an example where none of these techniques should be chosen.

Author: Damian Marusiak

What is DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology? Simply put – image scaling (upscaling) using Tensor hardware units to reproduce a three-dimensional scene, which are a component of SM blocks driving GeForce RTX graphics cards. Specialized cores were leveraged for deep learning (hence deep learning in the name of DLSS), initially requiring separate training for each supported computer game. However, such a solution proved to be inefficient and the quality of the reproduced image was far from satisfactory. In other words – although DLSS noticeably increased the smoothness of the animation, but at the cost of a noticeable deterioration in graphical sharpness, especially at lower resolutions. The first generation of this solution significantly deteriorated the image quality, becoming a practically useless technique. The second generation has improved significantly, offering image quality that many consider satisfactory. Currently, the manufacturer continues to improve its operation – later versions such as DLSS 2.1 or DLSS 2.2 offer not only improved image quality, but also reduced ghosting.

Chernobylite with its lush vegetation is an interesting testing ground for NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR techniques. We check how both solutions work in the game from Polish studio The Farm 51.

Additional features of NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards. What is Ray Tracing, DLSS, Reflex, Ansel and Highlights

How does AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution work? First, the resolution of the game is reduced to the level assigned to a specific FSR preset (recall that there are 4 modes: Ultra Quality, Quality, Balanced and Performance), then, using an algorithm prepared by AMD, the image is reconstructed as close to the native resolution as possible, while maintaining a noticeably higher smoothness of the animation. Edge sharpening also works here, although the degree to which it is used depends on the FSR mode you choose. For example, for native 4K resolution (3840×2160), FidelityFX Super Resolution first reduces the resolution of the output image to 2560×1440 (for Quality mode) and then rebuilds it to the previously set resolution of 3840×2160 pixels.

AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution review – We verify performance and image quality. Is this a real competition for NVIDIA DLSS?

At the time of AMD FSR release, there was a big problem with direct comparison between NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution due to the lack of games supporting both techniques at the same time. In recent weeks we’ve already checked out games such as Marvel’s Avengers and The Medium – in both cases we can compare DLSS and FSR to each other. Another game whose time has come is Chernobylite, from Polish studio The Farm 51. This production is aimed at gamers who want to travel through Chernobyl as stalkers. Although it is not a game with a huge budget and spectacular action, it offers pleasant hours of gameplay with the possibility of playing the role of a Stalker. There is also the possibility of playing with the original, the Russian dub, strongly influencing the climate and the immersion. Chernobylite is a title that awaits the real main course just in time, which will be STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl, which is scheduled to premiere in April 2022.