Comparing upscaling resolution and anti-alias settings (similar fps and better visual quality)

[HankCzinaski]

TL, DR:

Depending on your setup (cpu and gpu) it might be a good idea to upscale your resolution and lower anti-alias setting for better visuals and similar fps.

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Few days ago someone suggested, in a thread I was lurking in, upscaling resolution (in my case AMD VSR) and turning of anti-alias setting for better results, fps and visual wise.

 

As someone who prioritizes anti-alias, my first reaction was an uproar. But the thought stayed with me, so I decided to test this idea. Results were surprising.

 

Ryzen 3600, Radeon RX 5700 XT so I used the AMD VSR upscale technology for 2560x1440 resolution (normally I play on a monitor with native resolution of 1920x1080, with a MSAA x8 setting).

To start using it all I had to do is turn it on in AMD control panel and change to a previously unavailable resolution in the game launcher (had to go fullscreen as the UI scale got messed up with the upscale).

 

Settings I tested:

1 - 1920x1080 FXAA x4

2 - 1920x1080 MSAA x8

3 - 2560x1440 NoAA   

4 - 2560x1440 FXAA x4

5 - 2560x1440 MSAA x4

6 - 2560x1440 MSAA x8

Rest of in-game settings stayed the same and were set according to CPU 1080p test settings in the thread "SYN_Vander BENCHMARK v6 to measure IL-2 performance in monitor & VR", in this forum section.

 

 

Screenshots:

Where to look for comparison:

 

Setting 1 - 1920x1080 FXAA x4:

https://ibb.co/wgGP2Ps

https://ibb.co/GQ6vTV5

 

Setting 2 - 1920x1080 MSAA x8:

https://ibb.co/8r0V2zg

https://ibb.co/d4J9QTF

 

Setting 3 - 2560x1440 NoAA: 

https://ibb.co/QDNG8dK

https://ibb.co/ZLH20KM

 

Setting 4 - 2560x1440 FXAA x4:

https://ibb.co/bFWVgdQ

https://ibb.co/fXCSgXW

 

Setting 5 - 2560x1440 MSAA x4:

https://ibb.co/B3LtNyt

https://ibb.co/z4dRxv8

 

Setting 6 - 2560x1440 MSAA x8:

https://ibb.co/M7CZwRB

https://ibb.co/f0wJVH2

 

 

Comparing the main contenders (settings 2, 4 and 5):

 

 

Results ordered by visual quality of anti-alias (subjective):

6 - 2560x1440 MSAA x8 (59 fps)

5 - 2560x1440 MSAA x4 (97 fps)

4 - 2560x1440 FXAA x4 (111 fps)

2 - 1920x1080 MSAA x8 (90 fps)

1 - 1920x1080 FXAA x4 (159 fps)

3 - 2560x1440 NoAA (128 fps)   

 

Some comments:

Very small visual difference between setting 5 and 6, but high fps difference (+38 fps).

Setting 4 arguably looking just as/slightly worse than setting 2 but more fps (+21).

Setting 2 better than 1 but at a very big fps cost.

Setting 3 has worst quality (no AA at all), therefore fps should be highest? Nope. Setting 1 actually has higher fps.

 

Conclusion:

For me, setting 5 is the winner here. Upscaled resolution but lower AA setting compared to my usual setup (1080p MSAAx8) gave me a slight visual upgrade and few extra fps (+7 fps).

The only other viable option would be setting 4. Slightly worse visuals but noticeable fps gain (+21 fps).

 

Edit:

After upgrading my cpu to 5600x, relatively I no longer gain fps but actually lose some (- 6 fps) with upscale and lower AA. I still get better visuals though. I guess it all depends on individual setup. This method probably benefits weak cpu + strong gpu combo the most.

Edited September 23, 2022 by HankCzinaski

[Wilhelm_Heidkamp]

MXAA is MSAA. Multisampling antialiasing.

Thanks.

[HankCzinaski]

1 hour ago, PA_Willy said:

MXAA is MSAA. Multisampling antialiasing.

Thanks.

Fixed. Thanks.