Intel Releases XeSS 3 Multi-Frame Generation

Intel has activated a key feature of its next-generation AI-powered image upscaling technology, XeSS 3, called Multi-Frame Generation (MFG), through newly released graphics drivers. This development expands frame generation capability across both the Arc series of discrete graphics cards and the integrated graphics units of Core Ultra processors.

XeSS 2 Support is Sufficient

Announced at last year's Intel Tech Tour event, XeSS 3 Multi-Frame Generation offers 2x, 3x, and 4x modes, similar to NVIDIA's DLSS technology. Interestingly, developers do not need to update existing XeSS 2-supported games. Using an override option in the Intel Graphics Software control panel, the MFG feature can be enabled in any game that supports XeSS 2 frame generation. Intel expects these settings to become accessible from in-game menus in the future.

Hardware Support and First Impressions

Since XeSS 3 supports Arc GPUs with XMX units, it will be usable not only on Arc A and B series discrete graphics cards but also on integrated graphics solutions with Xe2/Xe3 architecture. Early reviews by the tech media on a Panther Lake engineering system at Intel's Tech Tour event reported impressive image quality without significant distortion in generated frames. However, it was also noted that input latency felt high in fast-paced games, raising questions about Intel's baseline frame rate methodology used as an acceptable latency benchmark.

New Drivers and Fixes

The new Intel Graphics Drivers, version numbers 32.0.101.8425 and 32.0.101.8362, also serve as introductory drivers for the Arc B390 and B370 integrated graphics solutions found in the new Core Ultra 3 series mobile processors, codenamed Panther Lake. The drivers support a wide range of integrated graphics across the Core Ultra processor family, including Meteor Lake, Lunar Lake, Arrow Lake-S, and Arrow Lake-H, in addition to existing Arc A and B series graphics cards.

The driver notes also include fixes for crashes observed in the Pragmata Sketchbook demo game on certain Arc and Core Ultra hardware, and a software update that corrects the incorrect display of the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) range in the settings interface. It is stated that work is ongoing to resolve some known issues, such as color corruption, crashes, or graphical errors seen in games like Ghost of Tsushima, The Finals, and Call of Duty Black Ops 6.

These competitive developments in AI-based image processing and frame generation technologies are progressing in parallel with other significant moves in the industry. For example, Microsoft's development of custom chipsets for AI inference and Qualcomm's investments in on-device AI applications highlight the importance of AI capabilities at the processor level.