Assets super-resolution with neural networks such as waifu2x, Real-ESRGAN and Real-CUGAN

[FlandiaYingman]

After testing, Real-ESRGAN and Real-CUGAN need GPU to work since they work extremely slow on CPU (1-2 hours per img, on a 6C12T 3GHz CPU). Thus, we have following methods.

Run super-resolution on my own computer

It takes ~45 secs with Real-ESRGAN on my laptop (GTX 1650 Ti). While this method would most likely work, it requires me to run the super-resolution everytime the game updates. Sounds unacceptable because the reason why I develop this website is to prevent doing super-resolution manually.

Also, it might be with delay because I would not be free whole day.

Run super-resolution on a server

There're not very many cheap servers with GPU. The cheapest one I currently found costs 25€ per month. Well, I would reluctantly accept the price, but there's no doubt that this method waste too many resources - the game updates once a month, every time it adds only ~10 picture assets. Processing them would cost just 15 minutes, so, paying a whole month for that is obviously unworth.

Is there a way to apply for a GPU server only when needed?

To be investigated...

Run super-resolution on users computers

This method is the most possible solution IMO. I would run super-resolution regularly. If user found the website lacks some of the super-resolution assets, they could run the super-resolution themselves and submit it to the server. Therefore, I could maintain the super-resolution regularly and website users could do it for me when I'm busy.

[FlandiaYingman]

GPU Cloud Platforms supports creating server programtically on demand

• Paperspace (https://www.paperspace.com/)
• Genesis Cloud (https://www.genesiscloud.com/)
• Lambda GPU Cloud (https://lambdalabs.com/service/gpu-cloud)
• GCP Cloud GPUs (https://cloud.google.com/gpu)
• ...

[FlandiaYingman]

Solved this temporarily with arkwaifu-2x: run super-resolution on anyone's PC.