Intel XeSS 2 announced: Here's everything you need to know

On December 3, 2024, Intel revealed its next-generation GPUs, including the Intel Arc B580 and B570, alongside the new XeSS 2 technology. The new XeSS 2 includes two new things: Frame Generation and Low Latency. With these additions, Intel's graphics cards now feature parity with Nvidia and AMD, making it easier for gamers to choose Intel GPUs.

In this article, we will talk about how Intel's Frame Generation and Low Latency technologies work and whether they differ from AMD and Nvidia's versions of the same technologies.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and rely on the writer's opinion. Also, certain details are subject to change.

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Intel XeSS 2 brings Frame Generation and Low Latency to boost performance further

Intel XeSS Frame Generation (Image via Intel)

XeSS now features three core technologies: Upscaling, Frame Generation, and Low Latency. While the upscaling remains the same as before, Frame Generation and Low Latency are the latest additions.

As the name suggests, Frame Generation tech uses the current and previous frames of a scene to generate a new frame through the interpolation technique and inserts it into the game. It uses the XMX cores and AI algorithm to generate the new frame in the GPU hardware.

Essentially, the game will have an additional AI-generated frame alongside an actual rendered frame. Hence, if a title is running at 60 frames per second, an additional 60 frames will be inserted into the same scene. It should double the framerate to 120 FPS theoretically. However, there is a tiny performance penalty for the additional processing demands, so the actual framerate would be closer to 110. This is still a boost in performance that the players will certainly appreciate.

The Frame Gen technology smoothes the game environment but doesn't improve its responsiveness. Usually, a higher framerate means a lower frame time, which leads to more responsive game movement but this doesn't happen since the additional frames are AI-based and not real. Not to mention, the additional processing for Frame Generation increases the fame time even more.

To remedy this, Intel created another technology called Low Latency, which decreases frame time by reducing input latency, leading to an increased game's responsiveness. Essentially, when you enable the entire XeSS 2 technology, your game will deliver a higher framerate and become more responsive.

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How does Intel XeSS 2 compare to DLSS 3 and FSR 3?

XeSS Frame Generation uses a frame interpolation technique (Image via Intel)

Intel XeSS 2 Frame Generation and Low Latency technologies are not much different from DLSS 3 and FSR 3. XeSS 2's Frame Generation technology uses a frame interpolation technique similar to others. However, Intel previously submitted a research paper at SIGGRAPH 2023, where it proposed a new technique.

Instead of using frame interpolation, the game could use frame extrapolation, which would lead to similar performance improvements but without increasing the frame time/latency of the game. That is not the case with XeSS 2: Frame Generation.

However, Intel may switch to the frame extrapolation technique when it is ready. For now, you are going to have to settle with the current version of the Frame Generation.