If you’ve been keeping up with AMD’s graphics tech, driver version 25.9.1 (Adrenalin) is a pretty big deal. As per the official release notes, AMD has enabled FSR 4 (FidelityFX Super Resolution 4) to be turned on in most games that already support FSR 3.1 under DirectX 12.
Here’s a breakdown of what this means, why it’s significant, and what to watch out for.
What the Update Actually Does
- AMD now allows FSR 4 to be enabled via a driver-level toggle in many games that have FSR 3.1 + DX12.
- There are over 85 games that are now known to support FSR 4 thanks to this update. Some older titles had FSR 3.1 implemented, and now, via this driver feature, FSR 4 can be used in them without needing a game patch.
- But it’s not universal: the game must have implemented FSR 3.1 correctly, including having a signed FSR 3.1 DLL as per AMD’s official developer guidelines.
Requirements & Limitations
To take advantage of this:
- The game must be using DirectX 12. If you have a game using Vulkan, OpenGL, or other APIs, this driver override won’t work.
- The game must have an official FSR 3.1 integration using a signed DLL (i.e., following AMD’s developer integration guidelines). If FSR 3.1 was added via third-party tools or modded DLLs or non-standard integration, the driver override might not work.
- You need relatively modern hardware: AMD’s RDNA 4 GPUs (Radeon RX 9000 series) are required for full FSR 4 support via this driver toggle. Older architectures may not get the same support yet.
Why this Makes a Difference
- Easier access: Before, enabling FSR 4 in older games required hacks, DLL swaps, or third-party tools like OptiScaler. Now, for many users, it’s just a driver toggle.
- Boost in image quality + performance: FSR 4 improves on FSR 3.1, especially in how it handles upscaling and frame generation. For users with RX 9000-series cards, this unlocks better image sharpness and smoother frame rates without needing dev patches.
- More games benefit: With 85+ games supported now, a lot of titles that were stuck on FSR 3.1 can get modern upscaling tech without waiting for patches. This helps prolong the lifespan of many games, especially older ones.
What It Doesn’t Do (Yet)
- Not all games that have FSR 3.1 + DX12 will be compatible. If the implementation of FSR 3.1 was nonstandard, unsigned, or via mod tools, the driver’s override may fail.
- Vulkan games are not yet supported under this override. So Vulkan + FSR 3.1 games still can’t benefit from FSR 4 via this mechanism.
- Hardware limits: Only RDNA 4 / newer AMD graphics chips get the full benefit under this toggle. Users with older graphics hardware may be left out or might only get limited use.
Practical Steps for Gamers
- Update your driver to AMD Adrenalin Edition 25.9.1.
- Make sure your graphics card is RDNA 4 / RX 9000 series.
- In a game that already supports FSR 3.1 + DX12, go into AMD Software (Adrenalin), and look for the FSR 4 toggle.
- Enable FSR 3.1 in the game’s options (if required), then use the toggle to upgrade to FSR 4 via driver override.
- Test performance & image quality: FSR 4 tends to be more demanding, so you’ll want to see how it behaves, especially in heavier or ray-traced scenes.
Conclusion
The 25.9.1 driver release is a big move by AMD: for many users, it means that most games with FSR 3.1 & DX12 can now step up to FSR 4 without waiting for patches from developers. It’s not every game, and there are some clear technical pre-conditions, but for those who meet them, this update offers a major upgrade in image quality and usability.
