Ray Tracing and DLSS Adoption: A Game-Changer for Gamers
The latest touring architecture that caught my attention at CES was the 329-pound behemoth, which is aimed at 1080p and 1440p gaming. One of its standout features is the availability of NVIDIA's RTX suite, including real-time ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). While some expected a performance drop with RTX on, Jensen acknowledged that the visual improvements can be dramatic, and that the technology can be combined to achieve more or less identical frame rates but with superior visuals.
In fact, Jensen was keen to show off the capabilities of NVIDIA's latest ray tracing and DLSS technology. He demonstrated how these features can enhance gameplay with smoother, more realistic graphics. With RTX on, gamers can expect to see a significant improvement in visual fidelity, making their gaming experience more immersive and engaging.
One aspect that I'm particularly pleased to see is the adoption of the adaptive sync standard by NVIDIA. This will allow for variable refresh rates on AMD's FreeSync monitors, which means gamers can enjoy smoother gameplay at lower price points. Although this technology is currently only available on DisplayPort, HDMI displays are unfortunately excluded. Nevertheless, this development holds promise for the gaming community.
RTX on Laptops: A New Era in Mobile Gaming
NVIDIA is also bringing its RTX technology to laptops, with four new options available. The Fat and Max-Q laptops will allow real-time ray tracing and DLSS, as well as faster-than-ever mobile gaming frame rates. This means that gamers can now enjoy the same level of graphics performance they'd expect from desktops on their laptops.
In addition to these laptops, NVIDIA is also releasing a new GPU-flavored bone alongside AMD's upcoming third-generation Ryzen processors. The first seven-nanometer GPU, aptly named the Radeon RX 7000 series, promises to deliver roughly similar performance to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 but without support for ray tracing.
AMD's FreeSync Advantage Neutralized
With the release of the Radeon RX 7000 series, AMD is effectively neutralizing its FreeSync advantage. This means that we can now expect a GPU-centric battle between NVIDIA and AMD, with performance and value being the primary considerations. Pricing will likely play a crucial role in determining which option ultimately takes the crown.
Electronics Galore: A Heavy Lineup from LG
At the H News booth, I had the opportunity to check out an extensive lineup of electronics from LG. While there were many products on display, some that caught my eye included the heavily anticipated PG 3.5 VQ laptop, which is expected to arrive by the end of Q1.
The range of RTX laptops was also impressive, with both slim and heavy options available. The Mothership convertible and a slimmer 17-inch Zephyrus S were notable mentions. However, the true showstopper for me was the new RTX 3090 Ti Matrix, which boasts a fully closed liquid cooling loop.
The LG U C99: A Gaming Monitor for Creative Projects
One of my favorite announcements from the entire CES event took place in a hidden corner within the LGB booth. The huge LG U C99 monitor caught my eye, as it uses the exact same 38-inch ultra-white form factor that I've been using on my primary display but with a refresh rate up to 175 Hz.
This is absolutely incredible for gamers who also work on creative projects, and I think this could be the perfect display. The high refresh rate will allow for smoother gameplay and more efficient rendering of graphics, making it an ideal choice for both gaming and content creation.
Core i9 RGB Manufacturing Revolution
Finally, there's some genuinely exciting RGB news to share. Core says has developed a new manufacturing technique that allows light to be mounted directly onto the PCB (Printed Circuit Board), resulting in extremely small RGB modules with improved power efficiency. This technology will enable brighter and more vivid lighting effects in even smaller places.
We can expect to see this technology in products like wireless keyboards and system components, particularly the new Dominator RGB RAM. As always, I'll be reviewing these products soon, so be sure to stay tuned for my thoughts on them. Thank you to NVIDIA for taking me out to CES this year and to H Zeus for sponsoring this channel.