Enhance Image Quality and Performance: Intel XCS vs. Native Anti-Aliasing

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. What is Intel XCS?
3. How does Intel XCS compare to Nvidia TLSS and AMD's FSR 2.0?
4. Supported GPUs and Instruction Sets
5. testing Methodology
6. Image Quality and Performance Evaluation
7. The Impact of XCSS on Different Game Elements
8. Comparison with TAA and No Anti-Aliasing
9. The Issue of Blurriness and Loss of Detail
10. Performance Analysis and Frame Rates
11. Conclusion

Introduction

In recent times, Intel XCS has made its debut in the gaming world, with the first two games being Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Death Stranding. XCS, which stands for "Super Sampling," is Intel's answer to Nvidia's TLSS and AMD's FSR 2.0. Just like its counterparts, XCS aims to enhance image resolution while reducing aliasing, resulting in a clean and smooth visual experience. This article will delve into the intricacies of Intel XCS, covering its compatibility, performance, image quality, and more.

What is Intel XCS?

Intel XCS is a super sampling technique developed by Intel for their Arc GPUs. Its primary function is to upscale the image while minimizing aliasing artifacts, ultimately enhancing the overall visual quality of the game. XCS leverages Intel's xMX chip found in Arc GPUs and also utilizes the DP4a instruction set, which is supported by both AMD and Nvidia GPUs. While XCS is compatible with relatively recent GPUs, older models like Vega, Polaris, and 1050 TI may not be supported. However, XCS can run on any GPU that supports Shader Model 6.4, making it accessible for most modern gaming setups.

How does Intel XCS compare to Nvidia TLSS and AMD's FSR 2.0?

One of the crucial aspects of evaluating Intel XCS is comparing it to its counterparts, Nvidia TLSS and AMD's FSR 2.0. While their methodologies differ, the fundamental goal remains the same – improving image quality. When comparing XCS at the Ultra setting, it effectively reduces aliasing and produces a clean image with minimal artifacts. However, in terms of detail, the image falls short compared to that without any anti-aliasing. The visual result appears softer and blurrier, and darker scenes may lack sufficient depth. Similarly, the performance gains are comparable to TLSS, with both techniques targeting similar improvements in image quality.

Supported GPUs and Instruction Sets

For optimal compatibility, it is crucial to understand which GPUs and instruction sets support Intel XCS. The DP4a instruction set is essential for XCS and is supported by Nvidia's Pascal GPUs, AMD's Vega 24 GPUs, and Intel's 12th generation GPUs. While GPUs like Vega, Polaris, and older models are not officially supported, XCS can still function on any GPU that supports Shader Model 6.4. Therefore, XCS can be effectively utilized on a wide range of modern GPUs.

Testing Methodology

To accurately assess the performance and image quality of Intel XCS, a variety of tests have been conducted. The primary test setup consists of an i5 12400F CPU paired with a Vega 36 GPU, which is technically unsupported but can still leverage the DP4a instruction set. While another system was initially utilized for this test, it encountered significant issues, making the i5 12400F and Vega 36 combination the most accurate representation. The key focus of the test was running the game at 1080p with maximum settings to thoroughly evaluate XCS's capabilities.

Image Quality and Performance Evaluation

When running Intel XCS at the Ultra setting, the technique performs admirably in upscaling the image and reducing aliasing. The resulting visuals are relatively clean, with minimal artifacts. However, the trade-off is a loss of detail compared to the image without any anti-aliasing. While XCS does provide some sharpening when compared to TAA, it still falls short in terms of overall detail. XCS Low settings, while suffering from increased blur and ghosting, do not exhibit a significant decrease in visual quality compared to Ultra settings. Ultimately, the image quality lies between FSR and TAA, offering a balance of performance and visual fidelity.

The Impact of XCSS on Different Game Elements

Intel XCS showcases its impact on various game elements, such as hair, clothing, foliage, and water. While XCS effectively reduces aliasing, it also leads to a loss of detail in these elements. Hair strands mesh together, clothing appears darker and less detailed, and smaller details within foliage blur together. Transparent, distorted water also suffers from decreased detail, making it harder to discern specific features with XCS enabled. While these issues also persist with TAA, it is essential to note that XCS could benefit from additional sharpening to mitigate some of these concerns.

Comparison with TAA and No Anti-Aliasing

To provide a comprehensive analysis, Intel XCS is compared to TAA and a Scenario without any anti-aliasing. In terms of detail preservation, TAA offers superior results. More detail remains in the image, resulting in sharper visuals. However, XCS at the Low setting does not fare significantly worse than TAA in terms of overall image quality. While it may suffer from increased blur and ghosting, the difference is not substantial. Ultimately, the choice between XCS, TAA, and no anti-aliasing boils down to personal preference and the desired balance between performance and visual fidelity.

The Issue of Blurriness and Loss of Detail

One significant concern raised with Intel XCS is the level of blurriness and loss of detail that accompanies the technique. In certain scenes, the blurring effect is more pronounced compared to TAA. This is particularly noticeable in intricate elements such as hair, clothing, and foliage, where XCS causes smaller details to Blend and lose their sharpness. Additionally, moving objects or creatures can leave trails that take longer to disappear, resulting in a more noticeable ghosting effect. While XCS offers satisfactory results in most scenarios, the issue of blurriness and its impact on overall detail is something to consider when utilizing the technique.

Performance Analysis and Frame Rates

Analyzing the performance impact of Intel XCS, the results indicate a significant reduction in frame rates for unsupported GPUs. The Vega 56, for instance, experienced a halving in frame rates when running XCS at the Ultra setting compared to native resolution and maximum settings. On average, the game ran at 86 FPS with XCS and 75 FPS without, resulting in a marginal difference. However, the one-percent lows were significantly lower with XCS, measuring at 59 FPS compared to 454 FPS without XCS. It is crucial to note that frame rates vary depending on the specific GPU model and the compatibility of the instruction set.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Intel XCS presents itself as a compelling alternative to Nvidia TLSS and AMD's FSR 2.0, aiming to enhance image quality while reducing aliasing artifacts. While XCS demonstrates commendable results in terms of upscaling the image and reducing aliasing, there are trade-offs in terms of overall detail and blurriness. The technique performs well in various scenarios but falls short compared to TAA in terms of preserving fine details. Performance-wise, XCS offers frame rate reductions for unsupported GPUs but delivers relatively consistent performance for compatible setups. Ultimately, XCS's suitability depends on personal preferences, balancing performance and visual quality in gaming experiences.

Highlights

• Intel XCS: Enhancing image quality and reducing aliasing artifacts.
• Comparison with Nvidia TLSS and AMD's FSR 2.0.
• Supported GPUs and instruction sets for XCS.
• Performance analysis and frame rate impact.
• The issue of blurriness and loss of detail with XCS.

FAQ

Q: What is Intel XCS? A: Intel XCS is a super sampling technique developed by Intel for their Arc GPUs, aimed at improving image quality and reducing aliasing artifacts in games.

Q: How does Intel XCS compare to Nvidia TLSS and AMD's FSR 2.0? A: While TLSS, FSR 2.0, and XCS target similar improvements in image quality, XCS falls slightly short in terms of preserving fine details compared to TAA and produces a blurrier image.

Q: Which GPUs and instruction sets are supported by Intel XCS? A: Nvidia's Pascal GPUs, AMD's Vega 24 GPUs, and Intel's 12th generation GPUs support the DP4a instruction set required for Intel XCS. GPUs supporting Shader Model 6.4 can also run XCS.

Q: Does Intel XCS impact performance? A: XCS may result in frame rate reductions for unsupported GPUs, but compatible setups generally exhibit consistent performance.

Q: How does Intel XCS affect different game elements? A: XCS can cause a loss of detail in elements such as hair, clothing, foliage, and transparent, distorted water, due to blurring and blending of smaller details.

Q: Is Intel XCS a suitable choice for improving image quality? A: Intel XCS offers commendable results in upscaling the image and reducing aliasing artifacts, but personal preferences and the desired balance between performance and visual fidelity should be considered when choosing XCS.