AMD has always trailed behind Nvidia in ray tracing performance, despite making some of the best graphics cards. While RDNA 3 brought some improvements, Nvidia remained the leader. However, a recent leak about the upcoming RDNA 4 generation hints at a potential shift in the landscape. Kepler_L2 on X (formerly Twitter) shared details about significant ray tracing enhancements planned for RDNA 4. These include a doubled ray tracing intersect engine, optimized node transforms, and improvements to BVH footprint. The leaker claims that many of these advancements will be present in the PlayStation 5 Pro, even though it won’t run entirely on RDNA 4. It is rumored to utilize parts of RDNA 4 alongside an RDNA 3.5 chip. These enhancements in RDNA 4 are expected to improve ray tracing efficiency, speed, and accuracy, resulting in better frame rates and visuals. This is particularly important considering that AMD may not aim to release a high-end GPU with RDNA 4. While the RTX 4080 offers performance comparable to the RX 7900 XTX, it still surpasses AMD in ray tracing. RDNA 4’s advancements could give AMD a much-needed edge. However, it’s worth noting that Kepler_L2 also suggests that RDNA 4’s top GPU might only fall between the RX 7900 XT and XTX, meaning it might not surpass AMD’s current flagship. This, along with rumors that AMD might delay the RDNA 4 announcement until CES 2025, suggests a potentially challenging path for AMD. Although these advancements in ray tracing are promising, it remains unclear whether AMD will truly reach parity with Nvidia in this domain. Despite its potential for success, AMD’s RDNA 4 faces an uphill battle against Nvidia’s upcoming RTX 50-series, particularly the RTX 5070 which AMD may be able to compete with. Ultimately, the success of RDNA 4 will hinge on its performance and pricing, particularly in the mainstream market. It’s crucial to remember that this information is based on rumors and speculation. AMD has yet to formally announce any details about RDNA 4.
AMD’s RDNA 4 Could Finally Challenge Nvidia in Ray Tracing
