In a new Xbox Wire article, Xbox boss Phil Spencer confirmed that the Xbox Series X will deliver 12 teraflops of GPU performance with its RDNA 2 architecture. This is in line with statements that Spencer made in the past about the console delivering eight times the power of the base Xbox One’s GPU. Spencer stated that the console “delivers a true generational leap in processing and graphics power with cutting edge techniques resulting in higher framerates, larger, more sophisticated game worlds, and an immersive experience unlike anything seen in console gaming.”
Along with noting support for hardware-accelerated DirectX raytracing, Spencer also talked about variable rate shading. This form of VRS is Microsoft’s own patent. As Spencer notes, “Rather than spending GPU cycles uniformly to every single pixel on the screen, [developers] can prioritize individual effects on specific game characters or important environmental objects. This technique results in more stable frame rates and higher resolution, with no impact on the final image quality.”
There’s also Quick Resume which allows for suspending and resuming multiple games instantly; Dynamic Latency Input for improved precision with the Xbox Wireless Controller; and HDMI 2.1 features like Auto Low Latency Mode and Variable Refresh Rate. The 120 frames per second framerate, a major selling point for the console, is also noted. There’s also Smart Delivery which allows one to play the “best available version” of a game on their console of choice.
Overall, a pretty good spread of features, though we’ll hopefully hear about more in the coming months. The Xbox Series X is currently slated to launch this holiday season. Its price point hasn’t been confirmed so stay tuned for more details.
