Mark Cerny, the principal architect behind the PS5 and PS5 Pro, joined Jack Huynh, AMD’s SVP and GM of the Computing and Graphics division, for a discussion on the upcoming advancements in GPU technology for Sony’s next console, the PS6.
In a nine-minute YouTube segment, Huynh showcased AMD’s next-generation RDNA architecture, featuring Radiance Cores specifically designed to manage ray tracing and path tracing, paving the way for more advanced graphics in future gaming consoles.
Sony and AMD Introduce Radiance Cores, Redefining Gaming Graphics
Sony’s upcoming consoles, likely starting with the PlayStation 6, will feature the next-generation GPU technology known as Radiance Cores. This innovation is also expected to appear in future AMD products, including their desktop GPUs. Radiance Cores are specialized hardware units built to manage unified light transport, enabling real-time Ray Tracing and Path Tracing.
According to a detailed YouTube explanation, these cores handle the full ray traversal process, allowing other GPU components to focus on shader processing more efficiently. By reducing multitasking overhead, this results in a noticeable improvement in overall performance.
Discussing the new technology, Cerny noted in the video, “Although these technologies are still in their infancy and currently exist only in simulations, the results look very promising. I’m genuinely excited about implementing them in a future console [likely the PS6] in a few years.”
Beyond the Radiance Cores, Mark Cerny and Jack Huynh also highlighted Neural Arrays. This innovative technology links multiple computing units, allowing them to share data and operate collectively as a single, highly focused AI engine, rather than splitting tasks into smaller segments. This approach enables a smart and efficient connection between the CUs and each shader engine.
According to Mark Cerny during the showcase, Neural Arrays will enable the console to handle large portions of the screen simultaneously, marking a significant leap forward in next-generation upscaling technology.
This advancement in GPU design could finally allow upcoming consoles to reach the highly anticipated 4K at 120 FPS on the PS6. Currently, many PlayStation 5 titles still cap at 60 FPS, with some even restricted to 30 FPS, which can be frustrating for console enthusiasts.
What are your thoughts on the new GPU innovations from Sony and AMD for their next-generation consoles? Share your opinions in the comments below.
