The latest XeSS 1.3 update has finally provided Intel Arc GPUs with a much-needed AI upscaling upgrade. Based on the company’s benchmark tests, these changes significantly improve desktop and laptop performance on several games, including Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and more.
Based on Intel’s recent blog post (via PCGamesN), XeSS 1.3 on an Intel Arc A750-powered desktop gave each game a tremendous FPS boost, with the biggest enhancement being Diablo 4. The hit Blizzard ARPG saw a 20-point jump from 71 FPS with the previous version of XeSS to 91 FPS with XeSS 1.3. It’s also worth noting that these tests were all conducted with graphics quality set at 1440p Ultra and ray tracing turned on. Benchmark results on the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor showcased similar improvements, with each game tested exhibiting better performance.
XeSS 1.3 update questionably tweaks quality presets
Unfortunately, one small tweak with the XeSS 1.3 update makes things slightly more complicated. Intel has changed its quality presets by adding Ultra Performance, Ultra Quality Plus, “and an all-new Native Anti-Aliasing setting.” Previously, there had only been four to choose from, including Performance, Balanced, Quality, and Ultra Quality. However, with the addition of these new options, the resolution scaling of each one has been updated accordingly, with Quality now providing 1.7x from the previous version’s 1.5x and Ultra Performance providing 2.3x from 2.0x.
Of course, XeSS still has a ways to go before it can compete with Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR. But with more updates likely on the horizon for Intel’s offering, it may only be a matter of time before PC enthusiasts will have an even more difficult time choosing from all three options. Until then, check out the best CPU for Intel Arc A770 in 2024 so you know what to pair with this GPU.
