Turn On AMD FSR 4 in Games Not Backed by OptiScaler
AMD's FSR 4 is a big tech step up, now using AI to go toe to toe with Nvidia's DLSS. While the tech works great, few games use it right now. For those who wish to use this new tech in more games, a tool named OptiScaler helps out.
What OptiScaler Does
OptiScaler (used to be CyberXeSS) is a tool that swaps out a game's old upscaler for a new one. Say a game uses an old upscaler like FSR 2, OptiScaler can switch it out and use FSR 4 instead. This lets players use the newest upscaling tech in games that are not yet updated.
OptiScaler does more than just upscaling. It can change frame making tech and add anti-lag tools like Nvidia Reflex, giving games a tech boost.
Key Needs and Limits
To turn on FSR 4 with OptiScaler, not all can use it. Players need to meet some needs:
- GPU Hardware: You need an AMD RX 9000-series graphic card, needed for FSR 4.
- Base Game Support: The game should already work with FSR 2 or newer, or DLSS 2 or newer, so OptiScaler has an upscaler to swap.
- API Clash: The game can't use the Vulkan API, as FSR 4 can't work with it yet.
- Anti-Cheat Issues: Games with anti-cheat tools don't work with this way.
The Manual Setup
Using OptiScaler needs you to get your hands dirty and is not just a click away. It asks for manual setup for each game. You must be okay with moving DLL files into game folders and tweaking settings to get things right. It's a bit of work, but that's the price for using advanced upscaling in many games for free.
The Adoption Gap
The need for something like OptiScaler shows the difference in support between AMD and Nvidia. While FSR 4 is in about 65 lesser-known games, DLSS 4 is in over 125 games as of May 2025. OptiScaler fills this gap for those with the right tools and know-how.
This tool made by its users offers a way ahead for fans, giving access to FSR 4 tech before it's widely backed. For now, it's the top way for tech-savvy folks to fully use FSR 4 without spending on options like Lossless Scaling.