AMD FSR frame generation continues to exhibit significant frame pacing issues across multiple gaming titles

AMD’s FSR frame generation technology still suffers from persistent frame pacing issues, often resulting in a "double tap" effect where rendered frames are displayed longer than generated ones. Despite updates to FSR 4.0.1 and the FSR SDK 2.3.0, testing on a Radeon RX 9070 XT reveals that the technology fails to provide the expected smoothness compared to Nvidia’s DLSS. In titles like God of War Ragnarok and Resident Evil Requiem, the jittering is pronounced enough to induce screen tearing even at high frame rates. While some games like Lego Batman show occasional consistency, most titles, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2, demonstrate erratic delivery that undermines the purpose of frame interpolation. The issue persists regardless of V-Sync or Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) settings. At lower frame rates, such as 60 to 120 FPS, the lack of smooth pacing makes the experience feel closer to the base frame rate. Higher frame rates mitigate the visibility of these stutters but do not eliminate the underlying timing errors. Consequently, the technology remains difficult to recommend for users seeking a consistently fluid gaming experience, as AMD has made little progress in resolving these fundamental timing discrepancies over the past several months.

Tech4K StaffVideo report

AMD’s FSR frame generation technology still suffers from persistent frame pacing issues, often resulting in a "double tap" effect where rendered frames are displayed longer than generated ones. Despite updates to FSR 4.0.1 and the FSR SDK 2.3.0, testing on a Radeon RX 9070 XT reveals that the technology fails to provide the expected smoothness compared to Nvidia’s DLSS. In titles like God of War Ragnarok and Resident Evil Requiem, the jittering is pronounced enough to induce screen tearing even at high frame rates. While some games like Lego Batman show occasional consistency, most titles, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2, demonstrate erratic delivery that undermines the purpose of frame interpolation. The issue persists regardless of V-Sync or Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) settings. At lower frame rates, such as 60 to 120 FPS, the lack of smooth pacing makes the experience feel closer to the base frame rate. Higher frame rates mitigate the visibility of these stutters but do not eliminate the underlying timing errors. Consequently, the technology remains difficult to recommend for users seeking a consistently fluid gaming experience, as AMD has made little progress in resolving these fundamental timing discrepancies over the past several months.

AMD FSR frame generation frequently displays a "double tap" pacing error where frames are delivered at uneven intervals. The latest FSR 4.0.1 update and driver version 26.7.1 do not resolve these persistent stuttering issues.

Nvidia’s DLSS frame generation provides significantly smoother and more consistent frame delivery in direct comparisons. Frame pacing problems are most noticeable at lower frame rates where the smoothness gains are intended to be greatest.

Testing across various game engines shows that native FSR 4 implementations still suffer from the same timing flaws as driver-level upgrades. Disabling frame generation and lowering settings often results in a smoother perceived experience than using FSR interpolation.

Chapter guide

Introduction to FSR Frame Generation IssuesOverview of the long-standing broken state of AMD's frame interpolation technology.REI Capture Card SponsorshipBrief segment detailing the features of the REI 8K HDMI to USB 3.0 capture device.Explaining the Frame Pacing ProblemTechnical breakdown of the "double tap" effect and its impact on perceived smoothness.Testing Methodology and HardwareDetails on the Radeon RX 9070 XT and 960 FPS slow-motion camera setup.Performance in Older TitlesAnalysis of frame pacing in Cyberpunk 2077, Mafia, and Borderlands 4.Pronounced Issues in God of War and HogwartsExamination of severe stuttering and screen tearing in high-profile action games.Native FSR 4 Implementation TestingReview of Crimson Desert and Lego Batman using the latest SDK versions.Recent Releases and ConclusionFinal tests on Assassin's Creed, Resident Evil, and Alan Wake 2 showing continued flaws.

Worth noting

  • The video is sponsored by REI, featuring their VC-8KTUSB3 capture card.
  • Testing was conducted on a specific hardware configuration using the Radeon RX 9070 XT and driver version 26.7.1.
  • Perceived smoothness can be subjective, though slow-motion footage was used to verify timing discrepancies.

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