Tag: Lossless Scaling

  • Steam Deck Unofficial Lossless Scaling Plugin Promises 3x FPS Boost

    Steam Deck Unofficial Lossless Scaling Plugin Promises 3x FPS Boost

    Key Takeaways

    1. A new plug-in for the Steam Deck enables real-time frame generation, potentially doubling or tripling frame rates in various games, including significant improvements in titles like Elden Ring and Shadow of the Colossus.

    2. The plug-in is based on LSFG-VK, a Linux compatibility layer, but its creator, PancakeTAS, has distanced themselves from the Decky version, highlighting concerns about visual glitches and default settings.

    3. User reactions are mixed; while many praise the plug-in for its performance and ease of use, some report issues like input lag and amplified frame drops.

    4. The plug-in supports multiple graphics APIs (DirectX and Vulkan) and does not require changes to game files, making it accessible for users willing to purchase the Lossless Scaling app.

    5. The community has a history of friction over open-source collaborations, raising questions about proper acknowledgment and sharing practices within the gaming development space.


    A recent plug-in created by the community is said to be enabling real-time frame generation on the Steam Deck, causing some quiet debates in the gaming community. This plug-in, made for Decky Loader, adds Lossless Scaling Frame Generation (LSFG) directly into the SteamOS Gaming Mode. This means players could possibly double or even triple their frame rates in a wide range of games, from modern AAA releases to emulating PS2 classics. Early tests show that Elden Ring can jump from 30–40 FPS to about 80–90 FPS, while Shadow of the Colossus, when emulated, seems to exceed 100 FPS.

    Development Background

    This plug-in is built on LSFG-VK, a Linux compatibility layer created by PancakeTAS, who has since distanced themselves from the Decky version. In a message on Discord, they mentioned, “I was not involved in this Decky plugin… Please don’t judge LSFG‑VK based on this.” They criticized the standard 30% flow scale for leading to visual glitches and pointed out that performance mode is turned off by default, which they believe isn’t ideal for the Steam Deck’s hardware.

    User Reactions

    Despite these concerns, excitement is buzzing on Reddit, although many users are cautious about potential issues. One user, TheBLKMN, praised the plug-in’s straightforwardness and its performance, stating: “10/10, it just works. Don’t notice much visually, there is some slight lag felt, but that’s to be expected… Make the harder to run games look smoother, which is all I wanted!” Another user, soft‑tack, called LSFG “freaking amazing,” referring to it as “magic launch commands” that allow the Deck to achieve a DLSS-level of smoothness.

    A Word of Caution

    Nonetheless, some users have voiced concerns about its drawbacks. Fast_Trigger commented: “Input lag and artefacts are what killed it for me.” Similarly, Snowmobile2004 pointed out, “Lossless scaling can’t remove frame drops; if anything, it’ll amplify existing ones 2×.”

    Even with these critiques, the plug-in seems to be popular due to its ease of usage. It supports DirectX 9–12, Vulkan, and OpenGL, works with non-Steam games, and requires no changes to game files. To get started, users only need to purchase the Lossless Scaling app from Steam ($6.99), install the plug-in via Decky Loader, and set launch options for each game.

    Community Dynamics

    This situation isn’t the first instance of open-source collaborations causing friction. The community has faced similar issues before, such as Proton-GE being repackaged without acknowledgment, or GOverlay overlapping with MangoHUD without proper syncing. The ongoing question remains: when does sharing cross into the territory of stepping on others’ toes?

    Members of r/SteamDeck and the Decky Loader Discord recommend adjusting a few settings, like setting Flow Scale to 85–100%, turning on Performance Mode, and using a 2× FPS multiplier to find the right mix of responsiveness and visual clarity. For a detailed guide, check out the walkthrough video below—it’s definitely worth watching.

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  • New Lossless Scaling Update: 2x Performance Boost & Visuals

    New Lossless Scaling Update: 2x Performance Boost & Visuals

    Key Takeaways

    1. Lossless Scaling 3.1 introduces a performance mode that can reduce GPU load by up to 2x.
    2. There may be a slight decrease in image quality with the performance mode, though some users might experience improved visuals due to higher frame rates.
    3. The update enhances image quality in Fixed Mode and Adaptive Mode, reducing flickering and ghosting effects.
    4. A smarter interface detection system has been added for better scaling of menus and displays.
    5. The update expands localization to include Finnish, Slovak, Toki Pona, Georgian, Greek, and Norwegian.


    Lossless Scaling version 3.1 has just gotten a significant update, marking it as a big release for the tool used for upscaling and generating frames. A key feature of this update is its performance mode, which reportedly can cut the GPU load by as much as 2x.

    Performance Trade-Offs

    However, this increase in performance might have a downside. The developer mentions that there might be a minor drop in image quality when using this mode, which can vary based on your settings and hardware. In some instances, though, users might actually notice a visual enhancement due to a higher base frame rate.

    Quality Enhancements

    Alongside the performance enhancements, the new update for Lossless Scaling 3.1 also aims to improve image quality in both Fixed Mode and Adaptive Mode. The update addresses issues like reduced object flickering and lesser ghosting effects, contributing to the overall quality upgrades in this version.

    Interface and Localization

    In addition, a smarter interface detection system has been introduced to ensure stable scaling of menus and heads-up displays. The update broadens its localization capabilities, now including Finnish, Slovak, Toki Pona, Georgian, Greek, and Norwegian. This suggests a growing international user base for the tool.

    If you didn’t catch it, the previous major update to Lossless Scaling introduced Adaptive Frame Generation (AFG). This feature helps to maintain a chosen frame rate in both soft-capped and hard-capped games. To find out more about this upscaling and frame generation tool, check out the video linked below.

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  • New Lossless Scaling Update: Adaptive Frame Generation Added

    New Lossless Scaling Update: Adaptive Frame Generation Added

    Key Takeaways

    1. New Feature: Lossless Scaling 3.1 introduces Adaptive Frame Generation (AFG) for smoother performance in games with frame rate limits.
    2. Dynamic Adjustments: AFG allows for fractional multipliers, improving frame rate consistency compared to fixed settings.
    3. GPU Load: AFG increases GPU load as it generates most frames, potentially impacting performance.
    4. Latency Increase: Users may experience higher latency, which can be twice as much when frame generation is active.
    5. Comparison to Competitors: Lossless Scaling is an alternative to AMD and Nvidia’s native features, but may not enhance gameplay as effectively.


    The paid upscaling and frame generation software Lossless Scaling has been updated to version 3.1. This latest version introduces a feature called Adaptive Frame Generation (AFG). The developers say this will be especially useful for games that have either soft or hard frame rate limits.

    Dynamic Adjustments

    With AFG, Lossless Scaling can now modify its settings to fit fractional multipliers, which helps games with frame rate caps to keep a desired frame rate. The developers claim that this feature delivers a smoother experience compared to the previous fixed frame multiplier setting.

    Potential Drawbacks

    Though this new addition sounds promising, there are some disadvantages. When Adaptive Frame Generation is active, Lossless Scaling will create the majority of the frames shown on screen. This can increase the load on the GPU. The developers also mention that image quality might see a slight decline, particularly when you compare it to the fixed multiplier mode.

    Latency Issues

    Moreover, users may experience a small rise in latency. As per the comparison provided by the developers, this could be twice as high as it is without any frame generation technology active. It’s important to note that the software will turn off frame generation if the base frame rate drops below 10 FPS. This is to minimize unnecessary GPU strain and to avoid excessive visual artifacts during loading screens.

    For those unfamiliar with Lossless Scaling, it serves as an alternative to the native upscaling and frame generation features offered by AMD and Nvidia. However, since this is not a feature at the driver level, it might not enhance gameplay as much as Nvidia’s Smooth Motion or AMD’s Fluid Motion Frames. For more information, check out the video linked below.

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