Games Hardware

What Is Variable Rate Shading And Why Is It A Big Deal For Next-Generation Consoles?

Taran 22 June 2023

Variable rate shading (VRS) is a relatively new technology that will have an important impact on the next-gen gaming consoles from Microsoft and Sony that are scheduled for release in November. VRS gives developers more refined control over how GPU power is used so graphics and performance goals like 4K resolution at 60 frames per second (fps) can be more easily achieved. With VRS in play, 4K/60 fps can be reached on lower spec machines and richer graphics with higher frame rates can be realized on more powerful consoles.

Here’s how Microsoft explains shading and shaders.  

For each pixel in a screen, shaders are called to calculate the color this pixel should be. Shading rate refers to the resolution at which these shaders are called (which is different from the overall screen resolution). A higher shading rate means more visual fidelity, but more GPU cost; a lower shading rate means the opposite: lower visual fidelity that comes at a lower GPU cost.Microsoft

Shaders in current-gen consoles are applied to every pixel on the screen. This means every object in a frame is rendered the same way whether it’s at the focus of attention or somewhere off in the periphery. This is great if you’re looking right at something in a graphically rich game rendered at 4K, but it’s a waste of GPU power if you’re not paying attention to the object.

VRS solves this problem. With VRS in play, objects that are out of the focus of attention or are deep in the background can be rendered at lower fidelity. Fidelity can be increased when the point of view moves deeper into a scene or focuses on the object. All of the GPU power that was used to fully shade objects not being looked at is freed and can be used to enrich what is being looked at or increase frame rate. 3DMark benchmark tests carried out on an Intel Ice Lake processor produced roughly 40% performance boosts with VRS implemented. Microsoft tested Civilization VI running on a GeForce RTX 2060 and found increases in fps ranging from approximately 14 to 20%.  Assuming developers make use of the technology, games will look and perform better-maybe much better-on consoles with VRS.

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Microsoft has already confirmed that the Xbox Series X will include its patented VRS technology. The “patented” part isn’t surprising as Microsoft has developed VRS for DirectX 12.  However, it does raise questions about the PS5. It’s understandable that Microsoft might not be willing to share technology that may have a significant effect on both graphics and performance with Sony at a time when both companies are introducing next-gen consoles. To the best of my knowledge, Sony has been silent about whether the PS5 will have VRS and the technology was not mentioned during Sony’s CES press conference last night.

Top of the Xbox Series X console
VRS has been confirmed for Xbox Series XXBOX

It could turn out to be important if the Series X implements VRS and the PS5 doesn’t. A huge deal was made from the fact that the base PS4 was a bit more powerful than the Xbox One when the current-gen consoles launched in 2013. That wasn’t the only reason (there was Xbox’s disastrous E3 reveal) for the PS4’s early and sustained lead in console sales, but it played a role. If VRS gives the Series X a marked advantage over the PS5 (and buyers can afford the Series X if it costs more), players may find themselves in the same position they are in today with regard to the choice of consoles. If you have a 4K TV, the Xbox One X is so much more powerful than the PS4 Pro there’s no reason to play most games on a Pro unless they’re PlayStation exclusives. Those of us who care more about gaming than console wars hope the power and performance gap between the One X and the Pro doesn’t reappear in the next-gen consoles.

by Kevin Murnane for FORBES

91 Replies to “What Is Variable Rate Shading And Why Is It A Big Deal For Next-Generation Consoles?”

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