Ray Tracing Showdown: Intel ARC A770 vs AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. testing the ARC A770 GPU
3. Comparing ARC A770 with AMD's 6700 XT
4. Benchmark Results: Crytek NEON Noir Ray Tracing
5. Benchmark Results: Shadow of the Tomb Raider
6. Benchmark Results: Quake 2 RTX
7. Benchmark Results: Resident Evil Village
8. Benchmark Results: Far Cry 6
9. Conclusion
10. Future Improvements and Recommendations

Introduction

In this article, we will take a close look at the ARC A770 GPU from Intel and compare its performance with AMD's 6700 XT. The ARC A770 is Intel's entry into the ray tracing GPU market, and many users are curious about how it stacks up against the competition. We will dive into various benchmark results to objectively evaluate the performance of the ARC A770 in different scenarios.

Testing the ARC A770 GPU

To accurately assess the performance of the ARC A770, we conducted extensive testing using a carefully selected test setup. We used a Ryzen 7 5800X processor paired with an ROG X570 Crosshair Hero 8 motherboard. The system was equipped with 64GB of G Skill Ripjaws running at 3200MHz. The power supply used was a Seasonic Prime Titanium 1000W, ensuring stable power delivery. The testing was done with the latest Intel and AMD drivers, providing the most up-to-date performance measurements.

Comparing ARC A770 with AMD's 6700 XT

The AMD 6700 XT, being the closest competitor to the ARC A770, was selected for comparison. Both GPUs represent the first generation of ray tracing hardware from their respective manufacturers. In our benchmark tests, we focused on various Game engines and rendering approaches, considering both DirectX Ray Tracing (DXR) and Crytek-specific implementations.

Benchmark Results: Crytek Neon Noir Ray Tracing

To test the performance of the ARC A770 and the 6700 XT in a synthetic benchmark, we used Crytek's Neon Noir Ray Tracing benchmark. This benchmark is created using the Crytek engine, providing a performance indication for games developed with that engine. At 1080p, the ARC A770 and the 6700 XT performed closely, with scores exceeding 10,000. However, at 1440p, both GPUs experienced a significant performance hit, indicating limitations in first-generation ray tracing hardware.

Benchmark Results: Shadow of the Tomb Raider

In our benchmark tests using Shadow of the Tomb Raider, we enabled ray tracing at the highest quality preset. At 1080p, both the ARC A770 and the 6700 XT delivered playable frame rates, with the 6700 XT having a slight advantage. However, at 1440p, both GPUs struggled to maintain playable frame rates, indicating the need for optimization in ray tracing performance.

Benchmark Results: Quake 2 RTX

Quake 2 RTX, a fully path-traced game, provided valuable insights into the full potential of ray tracing. While the ARC A770 and the 6700 XT performed similarly outdoors, the 6700 XT displayed better performance indoors. This observation suggests a potential bottleneck in the ARC A770's ray tracing capabilities. The flagship 6900 XT, on the other HAND, exhibited impressive results, comparable to first-generation Nvidia RTX cards.

Benchmark Results: Resident Evil Village

Resident Evil Village utilizes DirectX Rays to implement ray tracing effects. Benchmarking this game allowed us to gauge the ARC A770's performance with DXR. At 1080p, the ARC A770 delivered playable frame rates, but the 6700 XT outperformed it. At 1440p, the ARC A770 struggled to maintain smooth gameplay, reinforcing the recommendation to use it primarily for 1080p ray tracing gaming.

Benchmark Results: Far Cry 6

Far Cry 6 incorporates DXR for ray tracing effects, offering an opportunity to assess the ARC A770's performance. At 1080p, the ARC A770 achieved playable frame rates, although lower than the 6700 XT. However, at 1440p, the ARC A770 struggled to maintain satisfactory frame rates, indicating its limitation in higher resolutions.

Conclusion

Based on our extensive benchmarking, the ARC A770 shows promise in delivering satisfactory ray tracing performance at 1080p. However, it falls behind AMD's 6700 XT in both raw performance and efficiency. The ARC A770's limitation becomes more apparent at higher resolutions, where it struggles to maintain playable frame rates. While the first generation of ray tracing hardware shows potential, further optimizations and advancements are essential to make it a truly competitive option in the market.

Future Improvements and Recommendations

For Intel's ARC GPU lineup to effectively compete, improvements in both rasterization and ray tracing performance are crucial. Over time, with driver optimizations and potential advancements in subsequent generations, Intel can bridge the gap between their ARC GPUs and the competition. To meet user expectations, Intel should focus on enhancing power efficiency and delivering better performance at higher resolutions. Continued collaboration with game developers and refining ray tracing algorithms will be vital to the success of Intel's future GPUs.

Highlights:

• ARC A770 delivers satisfactory ray tracing performance at 1080p but falls behind AMD's 6700 XT.
• Performance limitations become evident at higher resolutions.
• Future improvements and optimizations are necessary for Intel's ARC lineup to compete effectively.
• Power efficiency and performance at higher resolutions should be prioritized.

FAQ:

Q: How does the ARC A770 compare to AMD's 6700 XT in terms of ray tracing performance? A: While the ARC A770 shows potential in delivering satisfactory ray tracing performance at 1080p, it falls behind the AMD 6700 XT. The 6700 XT offers better performance and efficiency in both raw performance and power consumption.

Q: Are there any plans for future improvements in Intel's ARC GPU lineup? A: Intel is committed to improving the rasterization and ray tracing performance of their ARC GPUs. Over time, with driver optimizations and potential advancements in subsequent generations, Intel aims to close the performance gap and provide more competitive options in the market.

Q: Does the ARC A770 struggle with higher resolutions in ray tracing scenarios? A: Yes, our benchmark results indicate that the ARC A770 faces limitations in maintaining playable frame rates at higher resolutions. It is recommended to utilize the ARC A770 primarily for 1080p ray tracing gaming.

Q: What are the key areas of focus for Intel to enhance their ARC GPUs? A: Intel should prioritize power efficiency and improving performance at higher resolutions. Continued collaboration with game developers and the refinement of ray tracing algorithms will also be essential for achieving competitive results in the future.