Nvidia has recently announced that their suite of RTX technologies is now supported by over 500 games and applications. Since its introduction in 2018, features such as ray tracing, AI, and upscaling have evolved from being niche technologies to becoming integral parts of PC gaming. Nvidia maintains a comprehensive list of games and apps that support RTX technologies, with around 380 games supporting some form of ray tracing or DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). While only two games, Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077, currently support path ray tracing and DLSS 3.5 with ray reconstruction, it is expected that more games will soon adopt these advanced features. These games, when experienced on powerful cards like the RTX 4090, offer astonishing visual quality.
The first RTX graphics cards were launched in 2018 as part of the RTX 20-series, with Nvidia boldly claiming that ray tracing was the future of graphics. This vision was so significant that Nvidia departed from its long-standing GTX nomenclature to emphasize the introduction of ray tracing technology. However, ray tracing remains a demanding task for GPUs, resulting in performance limitations. To address this, Nvidia developed DLSS, an AI-driven upscaling solution designed to enhance performance levels, especially when ray tracing effects are enabled. Initially, due to limited developer resources, support for ray tracing and DLSS was restricted. As someone who values an open ecosystem, I was initially skeptical. Nevertheless, RTX technologies have firmly established themselves, and the future of PC gaming appears promising.
The Emergence of DLSS and Frame Generation
DLSS 1 quickly came and went, while DLSS 2 has become the most widely adopted version of DLSS. However, the RTX 40-exclusive DLSS 3, which incorporates Frame Generation, has proven to be the most significant advancement. With AMD introducing its competing technology called Fluid Motion Frames, we can expect frame generation to become an increasingly crucial aspect of PC gaming. At PC Gamer, we prioritize native benchmarking in our reviews to ensure fair and accurate comparisons. For example, if you are gaming with an RTX 4060 at 2560 x 1440 resolution, benchmark results at high settings may appear average. However, by enabling DLSS and Frame Generation, you can easily double your frame rates. This performance enhancement extends the playable lifespan of GPUs like the RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti, demonstrating Nvidia’s commitment to continuously improving DLSS.
As we look ahead to major upcoming games like GTA 6, it is unclear which technologies they will support. However, when the game eventually launches for PCs, millions of RTX 20, 30, and 40-series desktops and laptops will be playing it. DLSS will provide these aging GPUs with a significant FPS boost, ensuring a smoother gaming experience in what is anticipated to be a demanding game. While we have not yet reached the stage of photo-realism in PC gaming, the architectures of today are laying the foundations for the architectures of the future. RTX technologies are paving the way for further advancements in visual fidelity and graphical capabilities.
The future of PC gaming graphics is an exciting prospect. While we may not have achieved photo-realism, the ongoing evolution of RTX technologies demonstrates a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. With an ever-growing library of supported games and applications, and the constant refinement of DLSS and Frame Generation, the potential for visually stunning and immersive gaming experiences is continuously expanding. Nvidia’s dedication to improving performance and extending the playable life of GPUs ensures that cards like the RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti will remain relevant for years to come. While we may not know exactly where PC gaming graphics will go next, one thing is certain – the future is bright, and the foundation set by RTX is paving the way for even more remarkable advancements.
Leave a Reply