AMD Unveils “System Lag” Metric for RDNA3 GPUs in Latest Preview Drivers

AMD has introduced a new metric, System Lag, to measure latency between frame generation and rendering on Radeon RX 7000 series and RDNA3 iGPUs, and has integrated it into the drivers with Anti-Lag+ to provide users with a deeper understanding of gaming performance.

AMD's Anti-Lag+ technology builds upon the original Anti-Lag technology by incorporating frame alignment within the game code.
The System Lag metric is enabled by default in the latest preview drivers.
AMD aims to provide users with a deeper understanding of how Anti-Lag+ enhances their gaming experience.

AMD has introduced a new metric called System Lag, aimed at measuring the Latency between frame generation by a game engine and their rendering by the graphics card. Similar to nVidia’s PC Latency (PCL), this feature is currently available only for Graphics Cards that support Anti-Lag+. At present, this includes the Radeon RX 7000 series and RDNA3 iGPUs. The metric has been integrated into the drivers and is automatically activated. AMD aims to provide users with a deeper understanding of how Anti-Lag+ enhances their gaming experience.

The latest preview driver also includes a new Adrenalin overlay metric called System Lag, which can be accessed if Radeon Anti-Lag+ is supported. This metric appears to be similar to NVIDIA’s PC Latency, indicating that it may gather information directly from the game itself.

AMD’s Anti-Lag+ technology builds upon the original Anti-Lag technology by incorporating frame alignment within the game code. This results in improved frame synchronization and reduced latency. However, it is important to note that this feature is currently limited to specific games.

While the introduction of the System Lag metric is a significant step towards understanding latency better, it does not encompass all forms of latency. Other factors like display latency and frame generation from AMD Fluid Motion Frames are not included in this metric.

AMD explains that Anti-Lag controls the CPU work pace to prevent it from getting too far ahead of the GPU, reducing the CPU work queue. With AMD Radeon Anti-Lag+, frame alignment is applied within the game code itself, leading to lower latency and improved gaming experiences.

The System Lag metric is enabled by default in the latest preview drivers and can be found in Performance → Metrics → Tracking options.

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Background Information

About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor prowess, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

About nVidia: NVIDIA has firmly established itself as a leader in the realm of client computing, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation in graphics and AI technologies. With a deep commitment to enhancing user experiences, NVIDIA's client computing business focuses on delivering cutting-edge solutions that power everything from gaming and creative workloads to enterprise applications. Renowned for its GeForce graphics cards, the company has redefined high-performance gaming, setting industry standards for realistic visuals, fluid frame rates, and immersive experiences. Complementing its gaming prowess, NVIDIA's Quadro and NVIDIA RTX graphics cards cater to professionals in design, content creation, and scientific fields, enabling real-time ray tracing and AI-driven workflows that elevate productivity and creativity to unprecedented heights. By seamlessly integrating graphics, AI, and software, NVIDIA continues to shape the landscape of client computing, fostering innovation and immersive interactions in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Technology Explained

CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.

Radeon: AMD Radeon, a product line by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), consists of graphics processing units (GPUs) recognized for their strong performance in gaming, content creation, and professional applications. Powered by innovative technologies like the RDNA architecture, Radeon GPUs deliver efficient and powerful graphics processing. The brand also supports features like FreeSync, enhancing visual fluidity and reducing screen tearing during gaming. Moreover, AMD Radeon GPUs embrace real-time ray tracing for heightened realism in lighting and reflections. With a balance between price and performance, Radeon competes with NVIDIA's GeForce graphics cards and remains a popular choice for a wide range of users.