ASUS has just dropped a significant update for its ROG Ally handheld gaming PC, and it’s a major win for gamers. The handheld is now compatible with AMD’s Fluid Motion Frames (AFMF), a driver-level feature that enhances frame generation for DirectX 11 and 12 games. This update is particularly exciting for the ROG Ally, as it addresses a long-standing limitation of the device.

What is AMD’s Fluid Motion Frames?

For those unfamiliar, AFMF is a technology that generates frames between the ones rendered by the game. This process, known as frame generation, is designed to improve motion smoothness in games. It works by comparing two frames rendered by the game and then running that data through an algorithm to estimate what a frame in between would look like. This technology is different from upscaling technologies like NVIDIA’s DLSS 3 or AMD’s FSR 3, which are designed to boost performance by rendering fewer frames. Instead, AFMF is a motion-smoothing technology that aims to create a more fluid gaming experience.

How does it work on the ROG Ally?

The ROG Ally, which uses the Ryzen Z1 chipset, includes both an AMD processor and graphics card. However, it uses its own specialized driver, which is why it didn’t initially support AFMF. Thankfully, ASUS has now updated the handheld to support AFMF, making it the only handheld gaming PC to do so. To enable AFMF on the ROG Ally, users will need to turn it on in Radeon Software, either globally or on a per-game basis. ASUS has confirmed that it’s working on adding the feature to Armoury Crate, the utility that the handheld uses, in the future.

The addition of AFMF to the ROG Ally is a significant development, especially for games that are demanding performance. For example, titles like Cyberpunk 2077, which can be notoriously demanding, should now run smoother at higher graphics settings. Additionally, less demanding games like Hi-Fi Rush should be able to fully saturate the 120Hz, 1080p display, providing a more immersive gaming experience.

While AFMF is a welcome addition to the ROG Ally, it’s not without its limitations. The feature will turn itself off during fast motion, and it doesn’t always produce the best quality. This is because it doesn’t have access to data from the game like motion vectors. However, having AFMF on the ROG Ally is still a significant shortcut to smoother games, even if it comes at a slight cost.

The ROG Ally is currently the only handheld gaming PC with AFMF support, despite the fact that the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go both use AMD chipsets. It’s possible that these handhelds could see an update with the tech in the future, which would further expand the capabilities of AMD’s handheld gaming offerings. For now, ROG Ally users can look forward to a more seamless gaming experience, thanks to this game-changing update.