RTX or no RTX

[Guest2]

I initially thought RTX was pointless and did not add anything to the games I tried, other than having a huge FPS hit.

Anyway, I've started playing Metro Exodus and thought wow this looks fantasic. I did not notice RTX and DLSS were enabled by default. I read it uses global illumination instead of only shadows.
Then I decided to turn RTX off and do a couple of comparisons and in parts it looks like a completely different game. I've only just realised how to take screenshots

Most of the time its subtle, but really makes a difference between what looks like a flat image with flat light and something with depth and atmosphere. It really needs to be seen in realtime but there three examples below. FPS does take a hit of around 20 but worth it for the eye candy in my opinion

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[Quartz]

I know I've said this umpteen times but RTX on the 20 series is very much a taster, IMHO. I think that if it gets a lot better on the 30 series it will go mainstream on the 40 series.

@Rroff can probably give you chapter and verse but as I understand it RTX actually simplifies things a lot for the game-maker. It's just that the computational horsepower needed to implement it is only now becoming available.

 

[aoaaron]

There is no doubt RTX is amazing.

However until every single new game uses RTX, its relavance and subequent value will be questioned.

 

[TNA]

I know I've said this umpteen times but RTX on the 20 series is very much a taster, IMHO. I think that if it gets a lot better on the 30 series it will go mainstream on the 40 series.

@Rroff can probably give you chapter and verse but as I understand it RTX actually simplifies things a lot for the game-maker. It's just that the computational horsepower needed to implement it is only now becoming available.

There is no doubt RTX is amazing.

However until every single new game uses RTX, its relavance and subequent value will be questioned.

+1

 

[Quartz]

However until every single new game uses RTX, its relavance and subequent value will be questioned.

I disagree. There will always be games where RTX is not necessary or even useful. Games with cartoon graphics are an obvious example.

 

[Guest2]

Does anyone know long it took to implement RTX into Quake II? I would love to re-play some other titles of the late 90s with it. Namely Unreal 1, System Shock 2 and Deus Ex 1

 

[random_matt]

Means nothing to me if it tanks 144fps.

 

[Rroff]

Does anyone know long it took to implement RTX into Quake II? I would love to re-play some other titles of the late 90s with it. Namely Unreal 1, System Shock 2 and Deus Ex 1

Actually took quite awhile if you add it all up - it is based on top of two other mods once of which implemented path tracing as a proof of concept but visually was a mess. However the final implementation of RTX and the noise filter actually didn't take long at all relatively speaking.

Quake 2 has an advantage over many other games however and probably why they choose it in that the original lighting was purely based off a static baked technique similar to ray tracing - so they could delete that in one go and then replace it with path tracing without having to touch the levels manually to rework them for ray tracing, etc. many other games they'd have to go back in and make lots of level design tweaks which would be a licensing nightmare.

 

[opethdisciple]

The new consoles will have a lot to say on this subject. If they are capable then we PC gamers will see much more adaption of the technology.

 

[Gerard]

There is no doubt RTX is amazing.

However until every single new game uses RTX, its relavance and subequent value will be questioned.

Meh, those pics don't exactly make me want to reach for the kleenex and the lube but i suppose over time it's impact will be better.

 

[Rroff]

Meh, those pics don't exactly make me want to reach for the kleenex and the lube but i suppose over time it's impact will be better.

Problem is to really appreciate it you need a more modern game with the level of integration of Quake 2 RTX and see it in motion - the accuracy of real time indirect lighting, little touches where surfaces capture light, etc. take it to another level that implementations like Metro or reshade doing shadows in some games, etc. don't come close to.

 

[8myers8]

The new consoles will have a lot to say on this subject. If they are capable then we PC gamers will see much more adaption of the technology.

Am loving RTX so far in games i have with it in , {still need to play Metro Exodus}
If consoles can do Ray tracing there going to have to have sum good cooling or going to sound so loud and get like a mini oven .....

 

[heatonpkmassive]

Meh, those pics don't exactly make me want to reach for the kleenex and the lube but i suppose over time it's impact will be better.

Pretty much my opinion, maybe my 50 year old eyes couldn't tell RTX if it hit me in the face.

 

[Jimmy Weirdarms]

Pretty much my opinion, maybe my 50 year old eyes couldn't tell RTX if it hit me in the face.

This is how my 40 year old eyes feel about high refresh rates. VRR yes, that's great, but much over 60Hz and I don't really see it. Proper HDR (on an OLED) I can see, and I like what RTX does for reflections and lights on the games I've seen it on so far.

Guess it has yet to really prove its worth to most.

 

[Gerard]

Problem is to really appreciate it you need a more modern game with the level of integration of Quake 2 RTX and see it in motion - the accuracy of real time indirect lighting, little touches where surfaces capture light, etc. take it to another level that implementations like Metro or reshade doing shadows in some games, etc. don't come close to.

I played with it in a build i was doing with a 2080ti windforce with battlefield v. At the time that was really all they supported it and even then I found it pretty subtle. Will be more noticeable when it goes mainstream obviously

 

[K1LaW8tt5]

another thread to justify RTX tax

 

[arc@css]

I would love to re-play some other titles of the late 90s with it. Namely Unreal 1, System Shock 2 and Deus Ex 1

+1

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I played it on my GTX1080 to test RTX on and off,and even though it looked better,the game without RTX looked good enough. BTW,OP your RTX on images seem a bit softer looking and have more aliasing on the edges.

 

[CuriousTomCat]

Wow, RTX made a huge difference in those screenshots. It's like comparing a modern game with something that came out 15 years ago.

 

[Gerard]

Wow, RTX made a huge difference in those screenshots. It's like comparing a modern game with something that came out 15 years ago.

Wheres the big improvement in the last 2 pics? You can see differences in the first 2 comparisons but they're hardly massive.