Enhanced PSSR for PS5 Pro: Image Quality and Performance are Expanded
Sony has announced the Advanced PSSR architecture it developed for the PS5 Pro. The new KPN model provides games with higher FPS and clarity without the need for updates.
Sony has detailed the new architecture it developed for PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), the AI-based enhancement technology introduced with the PlayStation 5 Pro. According to the technical data shared at the SIGGRAPH event, the updated “Enhanced PSSR” significantly reduces the console’s GPU load and memory consumption by focusing on filtering weights instead of directly assuming color.
Moreover, this new enhancement model can be directly applied to existing games at the system level without game developers needing to release an additional patch.
Architecture Completely Changed: The Kernel Predicting Network Era
Based on “Project Amethyst” research by Sony and AMD, the new PSSR version is restructured with optimizations specific to PlayStation hardware.
The Color Predicting Network (CPN) model included in the first version used only about 30% of its parameters at low resolution levels such as 540p.
In the new Kernel Predicting Network (KPN) architecture, about 90% of the parameters focus on resolutions of 540p and below; the heavy workload on the 4K side is minimized.
The network’s calculation of blending weights instead of directly producing HDR color output prevents intermediate compression losses in the 8-bit format and allows for a much cleaner image with classic filtering systems.
Main Improvements with Enhanced PSSR
- Higher Temporal Stability: Shaking and ghosting seen in fast camera movements are minimized.
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Lower Memory and GPU Consumption: Frame rates are increased by distributing processing power across the actual resolution steps.
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Significantly Reduced Training Time: The training time of the AI model is reduced from approximately 4 GPU months to less than 1 GPU week.
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Sharp Details at Low Input Resolutions: The detail accuracy offered by the console when going from low base resolutions to 4K is significantly increased.
The Era of Waiting for Patches is Over: System-Level Integration
The most pleasing aspect of the new technology for gamers is its backward compatibility. Developers can directly integrate the updated PSSR library into their new games, and thanks to the system-level override feature on the console, existing PS5 Pro-based games can automatically benefit from this new model without needing any updates. This provides an immediate and noticeable increase in clarity and fluidity in games that were criticized for their PSSR performance at launch.
