I'm not entirely surprised to hear Intel's XeSS 3 works on more than just Panther Lake chipsets, as support for B580 GPUs has already been confirmed. However, impatient fans have already sussed out how to get multi-Frame generation working on more devices ahead of schedule, and it could make all the difference in my never-ending quest to boost fps using the best gaming handheld options out there.
First shared to r/IntelArc by user Aggressive-Camel8166, a short clip shows off Multi-Frame Generation in Cyberpunk 2077 via a B580 GPU. A reply by onehoon reveals that to get XeSS 3 working, you apparently only have to extract two DLL files included with the latest driver update, then reinstall using the extracted folder. This means dabbling with tools that were previously exclusive to Nvidia's best graphics card contenders is now possible on Arc GPUs and even the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and other Intel-based handhelds.
Comment from r/IntelArc
The handheld scene has a funny relationship with AI upscaling tools, as even the punchy ROG Xbox Ally X is currently lacking the same tricks afforded to the latest GPUs. Yes, it can tap into AMD's FSR 3 and driver-level "Fluid Motion Frames" tech, and for what it's worth, the feature does provide a nice boost in many scenarios. But, having access to specific Multi-Frame Generation via XeSS 3 could help ramp up perceivable performance way beyond what is either natively possible or doable using AMD's current approach.
I don't have an Intel Arc GPU or an MSI handheld with a chipset to hand right now, so I'll need to report back on whether XeSS 3 makes a meaningful difference. I am particularly keen to see if switching Multi-Frame Generation on can help the Claw 8 AI+ outpace the Xbox Ally X without caveats like potential latency, artifacts, or glitchy visuals.
There's certainly a conversation to be had regarding whether tools like DLSS, FSR, and now XeSS are relying on "fake frames" to boost performance, and companies like Nvidia are trying to push for AI upscaling to become a norm. Yet, while handhelds arguably have the most to gain from using tools like Multi-Frame Generation due to their low specs, Intel is about to be the only company actively making use of the tech for portable PC purposes, even if fans are getting ahead of themselves with mods.
Looking to play some oldies? Swing by the best retro handhelds and best retro consoles for emulation devices and more.
