Microsoft’s Auto SR: Enhancing Gaming Performance with AI Upscaling

Microsoft has recently unveiled its Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR), a groundbreaking technology designed to enhance gaming experiences by leveraging AI upscaling. In this article, we explore how Auto SR works, the supported games, and its potential impact on the industry.

Understanding Auto SR

Auto SR is an upscaling solution that aims to improve frame rates and visual quality in existing games. Unlike traditional methods that rely on GPU compute performance, Auto SR leverages Neural Processing Unit (NPU) AI capabilities. This innovative approach allows for real-time enhancements without compromising performance.

Supported Platforms

Initially, Auto SR is limited to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite platform. However, Microsoft has ambitious plans to expand its reach. The upcoming ‘Copilot+’ PCs, including Intel’s Lunar Lake and AMD’s Strix APUs, will feature enhanced AI performance, exceeding 100 TOPS (trillion operations per second). Additionally, Microsoft is collaborating with GPU vendors like NVIDIA and AMD to fast-track Auto SR for discrete graphics solutions.

The Game List

Thanks to additional details on “Worksonwoa.com,” a site dedicated to Windows on Arm compatibility, we now have insights into the games that will receive Auto SR support out of the box. Here are some notable titles:

1. Borderlands 3: The popular looter shooter will benefit from Auto SR’s visual enhancements.
2. God of War (2018): The epic action-adventure game will look even more stunning with Auto SR.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Geralt’s adventures get a boost in visual fidelity.
4. Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Survival horror fans can enjoy improved graphics.
5. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice: FromSoftware’s challenging title gets a visual upgrade.
6. Kingdom Come: Deliverance: The medieval RPG will shine with Auto SR.
7. Dark Souls III: Prepare to die (beautifully) with Auto SR.
8. Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2: Precision shooting meets AI-enhanced visuals.
9. Control: Remedy Entertainment’s mind-bending game benefits from Auto SR.
10. 7 Days to Die, BeamNG.drive, Shadow of The Tomb Raider, and Skyrim Special Edition also offer Auto SR opt-in support.

The Future of AI Upscaling

As Auto SR enters the gaming landscape, comparisons with other upscaling technologies (such as NVIDIA’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR) will be crucial. While the list of supported games is impressive, it’s essential to note that Auto SR works optimally only with titles that feature built-in support for it. Gamers can expect smoother gameplay and improved visuals, but the true test lies in how well Auto SR challenges its competitors.