AMD shows how the Xbox Series X and future GPUs will handle ray tracing graphics
New RDNA 2 Raytracing demo released
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AMDhas posted a video showing off the RDNA 2ray tracingcapabilities of its upcoming graphics cards – with the tech also found in thePS5andXbox Series X– and this gives us an idea of the kind of graphical effects we may see in future games.
UsingMicrosoft’s just-announced DirectX 12 Ultimate API, which brings DirectX Raytracing tools, variable rate shading and more, the video (which can be seen below) shows off advanced lighting effects and reflections, amongst other bells and whistles.
While this is just a tech demo – and in some cases goes a bit overboard with some of the effects (we doubt many games will bethis shiny) – it does show what the Xbox Series X and future AMD Radeon graphics cards will be able to do.
Coming to Xbox Series X
AsAMD explains, it has worked closely with Microsoft to add DirectX 12 Ultimate support to its upcoming AMD RDNA 2 architecture, and “with this architecture powering both the next generation of AMD Radeon graphics cards and the forthcoming Xbox Series X gaming console, we’ve been working very closely with Microsoft to help move gaming graphics to a new level of photorealism.”
The PS5 also uses AMD RDNA 2 tech to provide its graphics, but due to DirectX 12 Ultimate being Microsoft tech, it’s very unlikely to be coming toSony’s console.
Nvidia also announcedthat its GPUs will support DirectX 12 Ultimate, bringing updated ray tracing effects toNvidia’s graphics cards as well.
DirectX 12 Ultimate hasn’t got a launch date yet, but it’s likely to arrive alongside the Xbox Series X later in 2020.
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Matt is TechRadar’s Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there’s no aspect of technology that Matt isn’t passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. He’s personally reviewed and used most of the laptops in our best laptops guide - and since joining TechRadar in 2014, he’s reviewed over 250 laptops and computing accessories personally.
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