HardwareMicrosoft details how its Automatic Super Resolution upscaler will benefit gamers with Copilot+ AI PCsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareMicrosoft details how its Automatic Super Resolution upscaler will benefit gamers with Copilot+ AI PCsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)
News that Microsoft had beendeveloping its own AI-powered upscalerfor games, called Automatic Super Resolution, first came to light back in February, before it became clear that this system wouldonly be available on Copilot+ AI PCs. At the moment, the only systems in this ecosystem are Snapdragon X laptops from Dell, Asus, MSI, and others. But asMicrosoft explains in a blogon how Automatic Super Resolution works, the PC just needs to have a suitable NPU in its main processor, so it could become available to more gamers.
Super resolution, or upscaling as it is generally called, involves rendering a frame at a lower resolution before running a bunch of math operations to to raise the resolution to that of the monitor. The obvious benefit is that the game will run a lot faster, but upscaling often creates lots of visual artefacts, especially with transparent objects, particles, and fast motion.
Nvidia uses aconvolution neural network, via Tensor cores on GeForce RTX graphics cards, to scan an upscaled frame and clean up any issues. Intel does the same with itsArc-specific XeSSbut its generalised version is the same asAMD’s FSR—a lot of clever shader routines calculate the best possible upscaled frame, rather than using AI.
Microsoft’sAutomatic Super Resolution(ASR) works a little bit like DLSS and Arc-only XeSS, in that a neural network is used in the upscaling algorithm. But rather than use the specialised cores in a GPU, ASR runs the network on an NPU, a neural processing unit. At present, these are only found in certain CPUs—Intel’s Meteor Lake, some of AMD’s APUs, andQualcomm’s Snapdragon X—and handle math routines that are common in AI workloads.
The idea behind the inclusion of an NPU in a processor is that AI stuff can be offloaded from the CPU or GPU, and run on a low-power section of the chip. They’re a bit like the matrix cores you get in an Intel Alchemist GPU.
That’s the good news about ASR. Now, here’s the not-so-good news.
The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals
Image1of3(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows how Auto SR’s neural network can improve 720p images(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
Image1of3(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows how Auto SR’s neural network can improve 720p images(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
Image1of3
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows how Auto SR’s neural network can improve 720p images(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows how Auto SR’s neural network can improve 720p images(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows how Auto SR’s neural network can improve 720p images
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows how Auto SR’s neural network can improve 720p images
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)
This Borderlands 3 comparison shows how Auto SR’s neural network can improve 720p images
This Borderlands 3 comparison shows how Auto SR’s neural network can improve 720p images
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)
This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)
(Image credit: Microsoft/2K Games)
This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
This Borderlands 3 comparison shows native 1440p rendering (left) vs 720p Auto SR (right)
Through the use ofa simple toggle in Windows, the NPU-powered upscaler will get automatically applied (hence the name) to any game that is compatible with ASR. Unfortunately,there aren’t many games on that list—just 14 in total and only 11 are guaranteed to work right now.
It’s also worth noting in Microsoft’s blog that ASR doesn’t rely on temporal frame information from games, unlike DLSS, FSR, and XeSS. Instead, it just transfers the fully rendered low-resolution frame to the NPU, which then handles the upscaling and image correction process, via the use of a large convolutional model. Once that’s done, the full-resolution frame then gets displayed.
Your next machine(Image credit: Future)Best gaming PC: The top pre-built machines.Best gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.
Your next machine
(Image credit: Future)Best gaming PC: The top pre-built machines.Best gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.
(Image credit: Future)
Best gaming PC: The top pre-built machines.Best gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.
Other upscalers work entirely within the GPU’s domain, helping to ensure it’s all processed as fast as possible. Microsoft says that using the NPU like this for ASR adds an additional ‘frame of latency’ to the game, though it goes on to claim that “in our testing, most players didn’t notice this delay, and when they did, the sharper graphics and faster frame rates more than made up for it, enhancing the overall gaming experience.”
This is something that youdon’tget with any of the upscalers and given thatQualcomm’s Snapdragon X range supports AMD’s FSR system, I suspect gamers and developers are more likely to lean on that upscaler rather than Microsoft’s. The proof will be in the pudding, of course, and if Automatic Super Resolution works well, despite its limitations, then Copilot+ AI PC owners can at least enjoy a decent gaming experience.
In theory, at least. When we get our hands on some Snapdragon X laptops in the office, we’ll be sure to give it a thorough test.
TOPICSHardware
TOPICS
More about hardwareIf you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.LatestLords of the Fallen studio embraces the DEI bugbear, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its gamesSee more latest►
More about hardwareIf you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.LatestLords of the Fallen studio embraces the DEI bugbear, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its gamesSee more latest►
More about hardwareIf you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.
More about hardware
If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.
If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo video
If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo video
Is the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.
Is the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.
LatestLords of the Fallen studio embraces the DEI bugbear, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its gamesSee more latest►
Latest
Lords of the Fallen studio embraces the DEI bugbear, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its games
Lords of the Fallen studio embraces the DEI bugbear, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its games
Lords of the Fallen studio embraces the DEI bugbear, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its games
See more latest►
Most PopularSorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our faultTeam Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40KIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anythingIf you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 offAMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fabI tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bayFinal Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their altsTikTok’s time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he ‘opposes banning’ itMSI intros cheaper ‘back connect’ Project Zero Intel motherboards for super-clean PC builds you might actually be able to affordThermaltake’s new 2000 W PSU is too powerful to be sold in the USA and comes with four PCIe 5.0 GPU power connectors
Most PopularSorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our faultTeam Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40KIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anythingIf you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 offAMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fabI tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bayFinal Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their altsTikTok’s time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he ‘opposes banning’ itMSI intros cheaper ‘back connect’ Project Zero Intel motherboards for super-clean PC builds you might actually be able to affordThermaltake’s new 2000 W PSU is too powerful to be sold in the USA and comes with four PCIe 5.0 GPU power connectors
Most PopularSorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our faultTeam Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40KIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anythingIf you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 offAMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fabI tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bayFinal Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their altsTikTok’s time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he ‘opposes banning’ itMSI intros cheaper ‘back connect’ Project Zero Intel motherboards for super-clean PC builds you might actually be able to affordThermaltake’s new 2000 W PSU is too powerful to be sold in the USA and comes with four PCIe 5.0 GPU power connectors
Most Popular
Sorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our fault
Team Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40K
Is the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.
Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anything
If you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 off
AMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fab
I tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bay
Final Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their alts
TikTok’s time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he ‘opposes banning’ it
MSI intros cheaper ‘back connect’ Project Zero Intel motherboards for super-clean PC builds you might actually be able to afford
Thermaltake’s new 2000 W PSU is too powerful to be sold in the USA and comes with four PCIe 5.0 GPU power connectors
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1
Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2
Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3
Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4
Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5
Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review
1
Thank Goodness You’re Here! review
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review
2
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3
WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4
Ikea Utespelare desk review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5
Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
