The Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 have spent most of this generation trading tiny wins. One game loads a bit faster here, another holds resolution slightly better there — but for most players, especially those gaming from the sofa after work or queuing ranked with the boys, the gap usually has not been that dramatic.
That could change a little if AMD FSR 4.1 makes its way to current-gen consoles.
According to a recent analysis by Moore’s Law Is Dead, AMD’s upcoming FSR 4.1 support for RDNA 2 hardware could give the Xbox Series X a cleaner advantage over the base PlayStation 5. The key point is not just raw GPU power, but how well each console may handle the upscaling workload and how easy it is for developers to implement it.
Why Xbox Series X Could Benefit More
The analysis compares INT8 performance across different systems. The PlayStation 5 Pro is far ahead at 300.0 TOPS, which makes sense because Sony built that machine around its own PSSR upscaling tech. But among the base current-gen consoles, Xbox Series X appears stronger on paper.
The numbers cited are:
- PlayStation 5 Pro: 300.0 TOPS
- Xbox Series X: 48.6 TOPS
- Base PlayStation 5: 20.6 TOPS with aFP16 fallback
- Xbox Series S: 16.0 TOPS
Based on that, Moore’s Law Is Dead suggests Xbox Series X should be able to run FSR 4.1 comfortably, and may even support a higher-quality FSR mode than the base PS5 in some cases. Don’t expect magic-level performance gains, lah — this is not suddenly turning Series X into a PS5 Pro killer. But if implemented well, it could mean cleaner image quality, better performance modes, or more stable frame rates in future multiplatform games.
For Malaysian and SEA players, this matters because console upgrades are not cheap. A lot of gamers here are still deciding between sticking with current hardware, buying a PS5 Pro, or waiting for the next Xbox and PlayStation generation. If FSR 4.1 helps existing consoles stay relevant for longer, that is genuinely useful.
SDK Support Might Be Xbox’s Hidden Advantage
The more interesting part is the developer side. Moore’s Law Is Dead claims that Xbox’s SDK already has stronger support for newer FSR plugins, including FSR 3 and later. By comparison, Sony reportedly stopped updating its FSR plugin support at around FSR 2.2.
That does not mean FSR 4.1 cannot run on PlayStation 5. The point is that it may be less straightforward for developers unless Sony updates its tools. The speculation is that Sony may have focused more on PSSR for the PS5 Pro, while leaving the base PS5 with older upscaling support because it was “good enough.”
If true, that could create a very practical difference. Developers are more likely to use a feature if it is easy to plug into their pipeline. If Xbox makes FSR 4.1 simpler to enable, Series X owners could see the benefits faster or more often.
PS5 Should Still Handle It
To be clear, the base PS5 is not out of the picture. The same analysis notes that FSR 4.1 can already run on Steam Deck, which has far lower cited TOPS performance at 6.4 TOPS. Since the PS5 is listed at 20.6 TOPS, it should still be capable of meaningful gains if support arrives.
So this is not a “PS5 cooked” situation. It is more like Xbox Series X may have a better ceiling for FSR 4.1, while PS5 may still benefit depending on Sony’s support and developer effort.
Why This Late-Gen Boost Still Matters
Some players may ask: why care now, when PS6 and Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox plans are already being discussed? Simple — cross-gen is probably not ending overnight.
Games are expensive to make, install bases are massive, and plenty of SEA players do not upgrade hardware immediately. If this generation stretches longer, upscaling tech like FSR 4.1 could help current consoles keep delivering decent visuals and performance without forcing everyone into a new RM-heavy upgrade cycle.
For now, this is still analysis and expectation, not a confirmed console rollout. But if AMD FSR 4.1 lands properly on current-gen machines, Xbox Series X owners may finally get a more noticeable technical win over the base PS5.
Source: Wccftech Gaming