Cyberpunk 2077's DLSS and Ray Tracing Performance
Ray Tracing in Cyberpunk 2077: An Nvidia Exclusive for Now
Current Limitations and Future Updates
As of now, Cyberpunk 2077's ray tracing capabilities are exclusive to Nvidia's RTX GPUs. While AMD's Radeon RX 6800 XT GPUs come with DXR hardware support, they are yet to be compatible with Cyberpunk 2077's ray tracing features. An update is expected in the future to extend support to AMD GPUs, but the current analysis is confined to Nvidia’s offerings.
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Testing Across Nvidia RTX GPU Range
The performance review encompasses all major consumer RTX GPUs, examining how each handles various ray tracing settings in Cyberpunk 2077. This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of ray tracing performance in one of the most graphically demanding games on the market.
Visual Impact of Ray Tracing in Cyberpunk 2077
Enhanced Visual Experience
Cyberpunk 2077 has been acclaimed for its stunning visuals, ranking as one of the most graphically impressive games to date. The implementation of ray tracing takes these visuals to a higher level, offering a significant improvement over the already impressive standard rasterization graphics.
Ray Tracing Settings Breakdown
The game offers three distinct ray tracing settings: reflections, shadows, and lighting, with the latter featuring three different modes. Each setting contributes uniquely to the overall visual enhancement of the game.
Ray Traced Reflections: A Game-Changer
Substantial Visual Upgrade
Ray traced reflections stand out as the most impactful setting in Cyberpunk 2077. This feature goes beyond the typical application on surfaces like glass and water, extending to a variety of surfaces including matte elements and metals. The depth and realism added by ray traced reflections provide a “next level” visual experience, significantly elevating the game's overall aesthetic.
Handling and Limitations
The implementation of reflections on glass surfaces is particularly noteworthy. However, there are some limitations, such as the absence of reflections for the player character, which was omitted due to performance concerns. Additionally, some issues like the pop-in of reflections are observed, reflecting common challenges in today's ray tracing technology.
The Trade-Offs in Today's Graphics: Balancing Performance and Visuals
Performance Intensity of Ray Tracing
The inclusion of ray tracing in Cyberpunk 2077 is not without its performance costs. The graphical intensity of ray tracing demands significant resources from GPUs, which can impact overall performance, especially on lower-end RTX models.
Reflections and Screen Space Limitations
While ray traced reflections offer a superior visual experience, they come with their own set of limitations and performance trade-offs. This is in contrast to screen space reflections, which, despite having their own issues, represent the balancing act in graphics technology where compromises are often necessary.
Conclusion: The Future of Ray Tracing in Gaming
Cyberpunk 2077 as a Benchmark
Cyberpunk 2077 sets a high standard for the future of ray tracing in gaming. Its implementation showcases both the potential and the current limitations of this technology, offering insights into what gamers can expect as developers continue to push the boundaries of graphical realism.
Anticipating Developments and Wider Compatibility
As the gaming industry awaits further updates for broader GPU compatibility, particularly for AMD users, Cyberpunk 2077 remains a pivotal title for understanding and appreciating the advancements in gaming graphics. The continuous evolution of ray tracing technology promises to bring even more immersive and visually stunning gaming experiences in the years to come.