Insights on Next-Generation Gaming GPUs
Our most recent front-page survey provides valuable insights into the preferences of individuals regarding the upcoming generation of gaming GPUs. We inquired about the key factors that matter most to our audience, including raster performance, ray tracing capabilities, energy efficiency, upscaling technologies, video memory capacity, and pricing. The survey was conducted from September 19 and has received nearly 24,000 votes so far. Pricing emerged as the top priority among respondents, garnering 36.1% of the votes, equivalent to 8,620 votes. Participants expressed a desire for stable pricing for the next-generation GPUs, hoping to avoid the steep price hikes seen in recent years.
Both AMD and NVIDIA are aware of the limitations posed by Moore's Law and the challenges associated with achieving significant performance improvements without increasing costs. AMD's experimentation with chiplet-based GPUs in the RDNA 3 generation highlights the industry's efforts to balance performance and affordability. Raster 3D performance was the second most popular response, with 27% of the votes, indicating a continued interest in enhancing classic 3D rendering capabilities. Despite the growing popularity of ray tracing, it ranked fourth in the survey, with energy efficiency securing the third spot.
Concerns about power consumption have been raised, particularly with the introduction of 600 W-capable power connectors. The semiconductor industry's struggle to develop cutting-edge nodes has led to GPUs being built on older technologies, impacting both performance and power efficiency. Our readers showed less enthusiasm for upscaling and frame-gen technologies, such as DLSS and FSR, suggesting a preference for native resolution performance improvements.
Ultimately, the expectations of GPU buyers remain consistent over the years, emphasizing the need for innovation, advanced manufacturing processes, and reasonable pricing. As the competition from consoles offering 4K gaming experiences at affordable prices intensifies, NVIDIA and AMD must adapt to meet the evolving demands of the PC gaming market.
