Nvidia’s RTX line of graphics cards is the most potent and advanced consumer GPU to date. The Nvidia Turing architecture, as shown in the name “RTX,” emphasizes the use of Ray Tracing in its graphics cards and laptops. It combines ray tracing and traditional rasterization, making it a hybrid rendering system. The RTX 20 series graphics cards and notebooks come with dedicated “RT cores” and Tensor Cores, providing superior performance and cutting-edge AI and ray tracing features.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 is pricier than its predecessor, yet its exceptional performance justifies the cost increase. They incorporate innovative technologies that enable cutting-edge lighting effects, previously believed to be years away from reality, and feature a redesigned reference cooler. However, this advanced technology comes with a cost. The RTX 2080 outperforms the GTX 1080 with higher benchmark results, surpassing the GTX 1080 Ti and Titan Xp. While not as powerful as the RTX 2080 Ti, the RTX 2080 still holds a strong position as one of the top mainstream graphics cards.
The exterior design of the 20-series graphics card by Nvidia has undergone a significant transformation, moving away from the single-fan reference design of the past. The new design now includes two fans to maintain stable temperatures with the higher power needs of the RTX 20 series. The blower set up is more enclosed to ensure consistent temperatures.
The GeForce RTX, 20 series graphics cards, offer cutting-edge capabilities, such as real-time ray tracing and AI-powered anti-aliasing. This results in more realistic light reflections and cinematic effects in games. Keep in mind that the performance of Nvidia’s Turing GPUs for the new features is different. Nvidia calculates the variation through “Giga Rays.” The RTX 2080 Ti can generate 10 Giga Rays per second, while the RTX 2080 can handle 8 Giga Rays per second. According to Nvidia, the top-performing GeForce RTX GPU can generate 10 billion rays per second, marking a 25-fold increase in beam tracking speed compared to the previous Pascal architecture. The advantages of the hybrid rendering technology are still being determined, as current games need to utilize ray tracing due to its slow performance on existing hardware. The impact of this technology will depend on how it is integrated into future games, which will be discussed further in the review.
According to Nvidia, soon, there will be 25 games that utilize DLSS technology, and at least 11 of these games will incorporate real-time ray tracing. The RTX 2080 has many new features due to its increased power. It has been tested on 1440p, and 4K G-Sync monitors to see if it meets Nvidia’s performance expectations.
Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super-Sampling (DLSS) technology leverages AI to pre-analyze games, optimizing graphics for the most efficient rendering.
The Nvidia RTX 2080 graphics card significantly improves gaming performance, especially at 1080p, providing a 20-40 fps increase in frame rates. The RTX 2080 also produces special frame rates of up to 60 fps at 4K resolution, nearly providing a smooth frame rate experience at Ultra-HD resolutions. For a more uncompromised gaming experience without having to adjust settings or spend more money, it is recommended to choose the top-tier Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti.
Games that will implement the advanced ray-tracing technology include Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Anthem, among others. The comprehensive list of games that support this feature can be found below:
Assetto Corsa Competizione: Racing simulation game developed by Kunos Simulazioni.
Atomic Heart: Action role-playing first-person shooter video game developed by Mundfish.
Battlefield 5: First-person shooter video game developed by EA DICE.
Control: Third-person action-adventure video game developed by Remedy Entertainment.
They were enlisted: Multiplayer tactical shooter video game developed by Gaijin Entertainment.
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries: Mech-based action game developed by Piranha Games.
In Metro Exodus, by 4A Games, players control the character of Artyom as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world. Artyom is part of a group of survivors traveling across Russia seeking a better life. The game blends survival and exploration with intense first-person shooting action.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Action-adventure video game developed by Eidos Montréal.
Justice: Multiplayer online battle arena game developed by NetEase Games.
JX3: MMORPG game developed by Kingsoft
The capabilities mentioned above have yet to be thoroughly tested, as the RTX 2080 and RTX 2080 Ti units being reviewed have not yet been able to access the new technology from Nvidia. The features will be available for typical games once Microsoft releases the Windows 10 October 2018 Update.
According to Nvidia, their GeForce RTX 20 series GPUs deliver twice the performance and 1.9 times the energy efficiency compared to the previous Turing-based graphics cards. All three GPUs feature the second generation of Nvidia RTX for ray tracing and the third-generation Tensor cores for AI-powered enhancements such as upscaled graphics.
The cost of laptops with the new RTX technology may also increase significantly. Although the visual effect of ray tracing on small laptop screens can be stunning in specific situations, its impact on gaming may be limited. Gaming laptops are already known for their high prices, and adding RTX hardware may only increase their cost. The widespread adoption of ray tracing by game developers is also expected to be slow due to the limited number of current RTX-capable graphics cards. It may become popular in the future, but it will take some time before most gamers can experience its benefits.