AMD confirms full DirectX 12 Ultimate support for RDNA 2 series graphics cards

In case you aren’t aware, AMD is the company behind both the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, at least on the hardware side. The Zen 2 and RDNA 2 CPU/GPU architectures underpin both console platforms, making AMD the GPU company to watch as 2020 progresses.   

With RDNA 2 being the graphics architecture behind both next-generation console platforms, it is clear that Radeon’s implementation of raytracing and other next-generation features will be what developers are targetting moving forward. Yes, Nvidia was first to market with raytracing acceleration, but AMD scored hardware wins with both next-generation consoles. 

With Microsoft’s next-generation console using AMD hardware, it makes sense that the next generation of DirectX 12 has been created with Radeon hardware in mind. DirectX 12 Ultimate is the standard that defines the next generation of gaming on Xbox Series X and PC, and Radeon’s RDNA 2 architecture supports all of the standard’s full feature set. This means that AMD’s next-generation graphics cards are going to deliver some major feature upgrades. 

AMD has already confirmed that RDNA 2 is going to deliver a massive 50% improvement in power efficiency over RDNA, a feat which highlights how much AMD has improved their graphics technology in the run-up to the next console generation. Add on DirectX 12 Ultimate support, and AMD’s onto a winner. 

Below is a demo video for AMD’s RDNA 2 DirectX Raytracing technology. 

What Does DirectX 12 Ultimate Include?

DirectX 12 Ultimate is a feature set, a standard which removes the fragmentation of the DirectX 12 ecosystem. Now, both developers and gamers will know that DirectX 12 Ultimate ready graphics cards will be ready for next-generation games and graphical features, which is good news for all parties involved. 

DirectX 12 Ultimate allows game developers to create games with both PC and Xbox Series X in mind, guaranteeing developers a large potential userbase to encourage the adoption of RDNA 2’s new hardware features. 

Raytracing

DirectX 12 Ultimate hardware must support DXR (DirectX Raytracing) 1.1, a feature set which will be available on AMD’s upcoming RDNA 2 graphics cards and Nvidia’s RTX Turing series GPUs  

VRS (Variable Rate Shading)

VRS is a feature which can be used to lower GPU load intelligently, enabling increased framerates by allowing developers to dedicate high precision rendering to where it is necessary. 

Mesh Shader

Mesh Shaders allow developers to better control the geometry pipelines of graphics hardware, allowing future games to offer more geometric precision without a huge performance cost. Like VRS, Mesh Shaders will enable increased hardware efficient in future gaming titles. 

Sampler Feedback

Sampler Feedback is a feature which will allow developers to get the most out of their memory, preventing memory waste by preventing unnecessary textures from staying in memory. This will allow developers to make more efficient use of GPU memory, and act as an “effective 2x or 3x (or higher) multiplier” according to Microsoft.