Which Upscale/AA Mode to Use

[ColPaladin]

I have a 4090, and there are soooo many settings to pick from, I can't tell which one is best for the nicest graphics?

 

[Riconatic]

I have a 4090, and there are soooo many settings to pick from, I can't tell which one is best for the nicest graphics?

One thing is for sure. You do NOT need to upscale. So if you select option that offers it, change resolution to native.

I use MSAA. With that there is no possibility upscaling. And some say amd FSR 3 (and fsr 1 even worse) just plain anti-aliaser is poor in some games.

Intels version as anti-aloaser I did not test at all or have good knowledge of quality.

 

[ColPaladin]

I set it for some "AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 Upscale" or some such, but I guess I can try MSAA. Funny, I thought "Upscale" meant it was "Scaling up" the graphics quality. Guess not.

 

[StargazingDog]

Reviews that test these modes extensively clearly show that MSAA is the worse option, and it requires more horsepower. Even though it theoretically should be the best, it looks the worst. Many details are lost. The default AMD mode is best.

 

[Riconatic]

Reviews that test these modes extensively clearly show that MSAA is the worse option, and it requires more horsepower. Even though it theoretically should be the best, it looks the worst. Many details are lost. The default AMD mode is best.

Can you link to such reviews?

If I remember correctly default was upscaled. Not native. (Setting itself was auto I think). "default" in such cannot be best. But if they were just talking anti-asliasing part then could be. So I would like check the review details definitely!

 

[ColPaladin]

Yes, all but MSAA said "Upscaled", which is why I am confused.

 

[Riconatic]

Yes, all but MSAA said "Upscaled", which is why I am confused.

Not upscaled setting with FSR3:


Upscaled setting with FSR3:
All other settings than native:


And exactly same logic with Intel XeSS

 

[StargazingDog]

Can you link to such reviews?

Here are some shots. Check out the white pyramids. See how the edges are blurry and (relatively) jagged compared to the FSR renditions. Also the edges of they shields on the military units.

 

[Riconatic]

Here are some shots. Check out the white pyramids. See how the edges are blurry and (relatively) jagged compared to the FSR renditions. Also the edges of they shields on the military units.

I do not use 4x MSAA with civ. This game offers 8x also.

Also I feel the sharpness setting was in wrong for my taste. You took these yourself or they are from some review?

As noted in just small side comment in this review (or how I read it): https://www.techpowerup.com/review/civilization-7-performance-benchmark/7.html MSAA offers best image quality, but with perf hit and neglible improvement. Thus reviewer suggest using FSR3.

I myself can take the perf hit (nvidia 4090), so I do not have to compromise with anything.

 

[StargazingDog]

You took these yourself or they are from some review?

Civilization 7 PC performance analysis: Playable on lots of systems but the late game will grind down whatever CPU you have

Don't be fooled by how well it runs when you first start playing.

www.pcgamer.com

You say MSAA gives the best image quality when the screenshots in this review clearly show that FSR looks better. Why do you think that is?

 

[Riconatic]

Civilization 7 PC performance analysis: Playable on lots of systems but the late game will grind down whatever CPU you have

Don't be fooled by how well it runs when you first start playing.

www.pcgamer.com

You say MSAA gives the best image quality when the screenshots in this review clearly show that FSR looks better. Why do you think that is?

Did you read the test? Or my previous post? Like I said msaa 4x is totally irrelevant. No one anywhere have suggested that msaa 4x should be used.

Pictures of msaa 4x are totally irrelevant. It was chosen not because good quality, but to equalize perf hit even in the test.

Choice is msaa 8x or something else.