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AMD FSR 4 on Older Radeon GPUs: What RDNA 3 Owners Need to Know

AMD FSR 4 on Older Radeon GPUs: What RDNA 3 Owners Need to Know

G
GAIAJune 4, 2025
6 min read
Tech
**AMD is rumored to be working on bringing its powerful FSR 4 upscaling tech, currently exclusive to RDNA 4 GPUs like the Radeon RX 9070, to older RDNA 3 cards such as the Radeon RX 7900 series-here’s what that could mean for gamers looking to squeeze more life and fidelity from their existing hardware.**

AMD FSR 4 on Older Radeon GPUs: What RDNA 3 Owners Need to Know

FeatureSpecification
FeatureSpecification
FSR 4 AvailabilityCurrently RDNA 4 exclusive (e.g., Radeon RX 9070)
Potential ExpansionRumored for RDNA 3 GPUs (e.g., Radeon RX 7900 series)
AI HardwareMatrix cores on RDNA 3, no AI hardware on RX 6000 series
Key FeatureAI-powered upscaling with reduced ghosting/blurring
Current LimitationNot officially confirmed for older GPUs

Rumors are swirling in the PC hardware world: AMD’s latest upscaling tech, FSR 4, could soon land on older Radeon GPUs. While FSR 4 is currently the preserve of RDNA 4 cards like the Radeon RX 9070, word is that AMD engineers are exploring ways to make it work on last generation’s RDNA 3 lineup, including the popular Radeon RX 7900 series. For gamers and upgraders alike, this could be big-like trading in your bifocals for a pair of eagle eyes, but for your favorite games.

In-game image showing FSR 4 image quality improvements
FSR 4 delivers visibly sharper, more detailed game graphics compared to earlier upscaling methods.

What is FSR 4 and Why Gamers Want It

AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4) is a game-changer for visual fidelity. Powered by AI hardware on RDNA 4 GPUs, it delivers sharper images, fewer artifacts, and greatly improved clarity over older FSR iterations. Where FSR 3 and earlier sometimes left games looking fuzzy or plagued by ghosting, FSR 4 brings razor-like sharpness and reduced digital noise-crucial for high-frame-rate gaming and 4K displays.

Currently, FSR 4 is exclusive to RDNA 4 architecture and cards such as the AMD Radeon RX 9070. Gamers with these GPUs are already seeing substantial upgrades in image quality—think crystal-clear foliage, crisp text, and smoother edges, all with minimal performance hit.

In-game demonstration of FSR 4 upscaling in action
AI upscaling with FSR 4 can make even fast-paced scenes appear lifelike and smooth.

Can RDNA 3 GPUs Handle FSR 4?

The heart of this rumor is that AMD’s RDNA 3 cards, like the Radeon RX 7900 XT, already contain “matrix cores”—their answer to Nvidia’s Tensor cores, albeit less powerful. These matrix cores could potentially handle the AI workload that FSR 4 demands, making a port technically feasible, though likely with some compromises in performance or quality compared to native RDNA 4 hardware.

However, older models like the Radeon RX 6000 series lack this type of AI acceleration altogether. That means if AMD brings FSR 4 to more GPUs, it’s likely stopping at RDNA 3. For reference, Nvidia’s own DLSS 3 is limited to cards with Tensor cores for similar reasons.

Gameplay comparison of FSR 4 and previous FSR on AMD hardware
Matrix AI cores in RDNA 3 could enable FSR 4, but expect some trade-offs compared to RDNA 4 cards.

The Rumor Mill: What’s Actually Happening?

This latest surge of hope comes from YouTuber Moore’s Law is Dead (MLID), who claims a source inside AMD says the FSR 4 team is “taking our time to port FSR 4 to RDNA 3 because we realize how important it is that we get this right.” There’s no official confirmation, and AMD is keeping its cards close to its chest; the same source reportedly said there’s “nothing new to say” on the progress or release timeline.

While MLID has a checkered history with leaks, the technical blockages make sense. Porting a bleeding-edge AI upscaler to less powerful hardware isn’t trivial—AMD wants to avoid a botched launch that could lead to artifacts or unstable performance. For now, FSR 4 on RDNA 3 remains a tantalizing “maybe.”

In-game screenshot showing fine detail with FSR 4 active
If AMD succeeds, RDNA 3 owners could see a major visual upgrade in games—no new GPU required.

Why FSR 4 Isn’t for Everyone—Yet

FSR’s biggest selling point used to be its broad compatibility—it worked on nearly any GPU, AMD or otherwise. FSR 4 breaks that tradition, requiring specialized AI hardware. That means competitors, and AMD’s own older cards, are left out in the cold for now. This is a shift toward Nvidia’s model, where features like DLSS are closely tied to hardware generations.

Some enthusiasts, myself included, would love to see AMD open the door and let FSR 4 run on Nvidia GPUs, given that their Tensor cores could theoretically handle it. For now though, it’s an AMD-only party, and only for the newest RSVPs.

What About Frame Generation and Other Features?

FSR 4 isn’t just about upscaling. Frame generation—creating extra frames for smoother gameplay—remains a sore spot. The current version of FSR frame gen can introduce erratic performance depending on the game, such as with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, where enabling it causes wild frame rate swings. A full AI-based frame generation suite would be a welcome addition, especially if it runs more reliably on RDNA 3 hardware.

Should You Wait or Upgrade Your GPU?

If you own a Radeon RX 7900 series card, it’s worth waiting to see if FSR 4 support materializes. The hardware is theoretically up to the task, and a successful port could extend your card’s useful life significantly, especially at 1440p and 4K. But if you’re on an older GPU, particularly pre-RDNA 3, the only real path to FSR 4 is an upgrade to RDNA 4 like the Radeon RX 9070.

On the fence about upgrading? Check out our in-depth how to install a GPU guide for a step-by-step walkthrough, so you’re ready if you pull the trigger on new hardware.

Pros & Cons

  • Pros:
    • Potential for vastly improved visuals on RDNA 3 hardware
    • Extends the lifespan and value of last-gen high-end GPUs
    • FSR 4 offers sharper images and fewer artifacts than earlier versions
  • Cons:
    • Not officially confirmed—timeline is unknown
    • May require trade-offs in performance or quality on older hardware
    • Limited to newer AMD GPUs, leaving out Radeon RX 6000 and Nvidia owners

FAQ

Q: Is FSR 4 confirmed for AMD RDNA 3 GPUs like the Radeon RX 7900?
A: As of now, AMD has not officially confirmed FSR 4 support for RDNA 3 cards, though rumors suggest it’s in the works.

Q: Will FSR 4 work on non-AMD GPUs, such as Nvidia cards?
A: FSR 4 currently requires AMD’s matrix AI hardware and is not supported on competitor GPUs, unlike previous FSR versions.

Q: Should I upgrade from RDNA 3 to RDNA 4 for FSR 4?
A: If you want guaranteed access to FSR 4’s best features, RDNA 4 cards like the Radeon RX 9070 are the way to go, but RDNA 3 owners may want to wait for official news before upgrading.

Sources / Further Information

Tom’s Hardware: AMD FSR 4 Possible on Older GPUs
TechSpot: AMD FSR4 Could Come to Older RDNA3 GPUs
Moore’s Law is Dead: FSR 4 RDNA 3 Leak (YouTube)

Would you welcome FSR 4 support on your older Radeon GPU? Share your thoughts in the comments below!