Lossless Scaling is a STEAM app I have been using for over 350 hours. Its primary usage is to scale the game to full screen. You might wonder why not just go fullscreen directly. Well, it is possible, but the overall playtime will be reduced significantly. Scaling reduces GPU load and moves it to the CPU to get the right balance between performance and quality.
Earlier this year, Lossless Scaling introduced Frame Generation, a feature that revolutionised Windows handheld gaming. Essentially, it doubles the framerate with some drawbacks, such as minor input lag, increased CPU usage and potential image ghosting. Nevertheless, a smooth and seamless 60 FPS experience makes it a worthwhile trade-off, especially on a smaller screen.
My GPD Win 4 and Win Max 2 struggle to maintain a consistent 40 FPS at lower TDP settings of 8W - 12W. While they are capable of running games at 60 FPS with 15W or higher, this comes at the expense of a battery life of less than 2 hours. With the latest Frame Generation technology, a stable 60 FPS can be achieved with the same TDP setting if the machine is capable of maintaining a baseline of 30 FPS. Any frame drops below 30 FPS will result in a noticeable stuttering or slowdown effect.
Overall, handheld gaming presents its unique challenges, requiring the equilibrium among performance, quality, thermal management, device weight, and battery life. Achieving the desired combination of 60 FPS, 1080P resolution, high graphic settings, silent cooling, and 3-hour battery life on a lightweight 300g machine is currently unattainable. Therefore, players must make compromises based on their preferences and priorities.
I am excited to see how this industry evolves in the future. Happy gaming!