XeSS 2.1 brings AI Frame Generation to non‑Intel graphics cards

Intel has officially released an update to its XeSS technology, now at version 2.1, which broadens the compatibility of the company’s XeSS technologies to other GPU manufacturers. Unlike previous versions, this update does not introduce any new features, making XeSS 2.1 similar to XeSS 2. However, it does add functionality for XeSS Frame Generation and XeLL (Low Latency) on non-Intel graphics cards.

Graphics cards that support Shader Model 6.4 or higher can utilize Intel XeSS Frame Generation along with XeLL. It's important to note that XeLL is unavailable when XeSS Frame Generation is turned off on non-Intel GPUs. Shader Model 6.4 is compatible with Nvidia RTX and AMD RDNA (or later) graphics cards.

With the release of XeSS 2.1, the full XeSS feature set is now accessible to users of non-Intel graphics cards. The DP4a variant of XeSS-SR (Super Resolution) was already available for third-party GPU users. Now, both XeSS Frame Generation and Low Latency features are also extended to owners of non-Intel GPU hardware. This is excellent news for AMD and Nvidia GPU users looking for more options.

AMD has gained significant traction with its cross-platform support for upscaling and frame generation through the FSR 3.x technology suite, which underscores the hope that developers will find XeSS 2.1 just as appealing. As cutting-edge upscaling technologies become more exclusive to vendors (as seen with FSR 4 and DLSS), Intel's support for both upscaling and frame generation across platforms could become increasingly uncommon.

Intel has a relatively small presence in the GPU market. Consequently, the company needs to find strategies to motivate developers to embrace their XeSS technology. Broad XeSS adoption will aid Intel in selling its future graphics cards, which makes this initiative crucial for the company’s role in the GPU landscape.

With XeSS Frame Generation now supported on non-Intel GPUs, smoother, more responsive gameplay is accessible to more players than ever. But to truly unlock its potential—paired with DLSS 4, advanced ray tracing, and next-gen architecture—the RTX 5080 delivers the ultimate experience. As always, for the latest news on hardware launches and industry developments, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.