In a move set to shake up the world of real-time rendering, Intel is stepping into the ring with its own AI frame generation technology called ExtraSS. While still in the development phase, ExtraSS is expected to compete with Nvidia’s DLSS 3 and AMD’s FSR 3, offering a unique approach to frame generation that could potentially outperform existing technologies.
Intel ExtraSS Demo and Open-Source Expectations
The ExtraSS technology was recently showcased in a demo performed on the Nvidia RTX 3090, suggesting that Intel plans to make it open source and accessible to a broader audience. Unlike its competitors, ExtraSS relies on frame extrapolation rather than interpolation, setting it apart in terms of approach and potential performance gains.
Understanding Intel ExtraSS and Its Functionality
Described in a research paper as a “novel framework that combines spatial supersampling and frame extrapolation,” Intel ExtraSS aims to enhance real-time rendering performance. Like DLSS 3 and FSR 3, activating ExtraSS results in simultaneous image upscaling through XeSS and frame generation features.
The concept of frame generation involves leveraging existing information to create artificially generated frames through AI, potentially doubling the in-game FPS. What makes Intel’s approach intriguing is its use of frame extrapolation, a method with lower latency but challenges in certain areas due to lacking information from input frames.
Intel’s Solution for Better Quality and Lower Latency
The research paper outlines Intel’s plan to address challenges associated with frame extrapolation, proposing a method that aims to achieve “better qualities to the previous frame generation methods and less latency.” If successful, ExtraSS could surpass current interpolation-based frame generation technologies. Importantly, ExtraSS is hardware-agnostic, ensuring compatibility with GPUs from Nvidia and AMD.
The Potential Impact of Intel ExtraSS
Testing on an Nvidia RTX 3090 GPU signals Intel’s intention to make ExtraSS open source, aligning with AMD’s approach and providing a major advantage for gamers. While DLSS 3 is exclusive to the RTX 40 Series, Intel’s technology could be accessible to a wider range of users, potentially requiring GPUs like the Nvidia RTX 30 Series, AMD RX 6000 series, and Intel’s Arc graphics cards.
The true impact of ExtraSS remains speculative, as the feature is still in development and hasn’t been implemented in an actual game. However, if Intel integrates ExtraSS into its Core Ultra CPUs on Meteor Lake laptops, it could elevate gaming experiences on generally performant laptops without high-end GPUs, making the future of Intel Arc graphics even more promising.
