AMD's UDNA Architecture: Powering Next-Gen Consoles and Radeon GPUs with Enhanced AI and Ray Tracing

Next-gen Xbox and PlayStation 6 expected in 2027, powered by AMD's UDNA graphics

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Something to look forward to: If rumors prove accurate, Sony and Microsoft may once again align on GPU architecture for their next-generation consoles, this time leveraging AMD's upcoming UDNA graphics platform. The expected performance gains in ray tracing and AI upscaling suggest a significant shift that could outpace current PC GPUs on a per-compute-unit basis. With both companies also exploring handheld form factors and staggered launch timelines, these developments offer an early look at the hardware strategies shaping the next phase of the console cycle. Trusted leaker KeplerL2 recently dropped several new details about Sony and Microsoft's plans for their next-generation consoles. If the information proves accurate, both companies will once again use similar graphics technology, with significant improvements in ray tracing performance compared to the latest PC graphics cards. In a series of posts on NeoGAF, KeplerL2 stated that the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox console will use the same GPU architecture and are currently on track for a 2027 release. Earlier this year, he noted that the PlayStation 6 will be based on AMD's upcoming UDNA graphics architecture, making it likely that Microsoft is taking a similar approach. Codenamed "gfx13," UDNA is the successor to the RDNA 4 architecture, which powers the recently released Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9060 series PC graphics card. Compared to RDNA 2, which is used in the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, these GPUs show notable improvements in ray tracing performance and image upscaling quality. UDNA is expected to deliver another major leap forward. KeplerL2 claims that the new architecture will likely perform 20% faster per compute unit in traditional rasterized rendering and twice as fast in ray tracing and AI operations. He also mentions that HDMI bandwidth will increase to 80 Gbps, which could allow for higher refresh rates at 4K and possibly even 8K resolutions, although it would still fall short of the full 96 Gbps specification of HDMI 2.2. On the CPU side, neither of the next-generation consoles will include 3D V-Cache, a feature that has helped the last three generations of Ryzen processors outperform Intel's chips in gaming tasks. It's unclear how 3D V-Cache would affect performance in a console environment. In addition, Microsoft is developing a handheld gaming device, and Sony is rumored to be working on a portable companion for the PlayStation 6. Although it is too early to predict their performance, both are expected to use UDNA technology. KeplerL2 believes they will be designed to consume no more than 15 watts to preserve battery life. While Sony and Microsoft may release new hardware in 2027, it's believed that Microsoft is trying to launch its console ahead of the PlayStation 6 and could do so as early as next year. The company is expected to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Xbox in 2026 with the release of Forza Horizon 6, Gears of War: E-Day, and a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved for PC and Xbox Series consoles. If Microsoft's next flagship device - a PC and console hybrid - is ready in time, this lineup could make for a strong launch.

AMD UDNA Architecture: Double Ray Tracing Performance on Consoles

AMD is preparing to introduce its UDNA GPU architecture, which aims to improve graphics and AI performance by combining two existing GPU designs into a single unified platform. This new architecture merges AMD's RDNA technology, which is currently used for gaming graphics, with the CDNA architecture designed primarily for data centers and high-performance computing. By unifying these two architectures, AMD hopes to create a flexible GPU solution capable of handling a variety of workloads more efficiently. The idea behind UDNA is similar to Nvidia's CUDA system, which allows GPUs to support both gaming and computational tasks within the same ecosystem. AMD first revealed this initiative in late 2024 but has yet to provide specific details about when the transition will happen or which products will use the new architecture first. According to a reliable insider known as Kepler_L2, UDNA-based GPUs are expected to offer significant improvements in ray tracing and AI-related tasks like image upscaling and frame generation. Ray tracing is a rendering technique that simulates realistic lighting by tracing the path of light rays as they interact with objects in a 3D scene. AI upscaling and frame generation use machine learning to enhance image quality and increase frame rates without requiring more raw processing power. The insider claims that AMD's new GPUs could potentially double the performance in these areas compared to current-generation hardware. In addition to these AI and ray tracing gains, UDNA GPUs may also provide roughly a 20 percent improvement in rasterization performance. Rasterization is the traditional method used by GPUs to convert 3D models into 2D images that are displayed on your screen. Improvements here translate to faster and more efficient rendering of game graphics, which can result in smoother gameplay and better overall visual quality. It all is particularly relevant as AMD is reportedly set to supply the graphics chips for the next generation of PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Incorporating UDNA architecture into these consoles could lead to better lighting effects, more detailed visuals, and improved AI-driven features like upscaling, which helps maintain high frame rates even in demanding games. While these reports are promising, AMD has not yet officially confirmed that UDNA-based GPUs will be included in upcoming consoles or provided a timeline for the architecture's rollout. The transition to UDNA represents a significant step for AMD, as it consolidates its GPU technologies across different market segments, potentially simplifying development and optimizing performance across gaming and data center applications. Source: NeoGAF, Kepler_L2

AMD's next-gen UDNA GPUs for new Radeon, PlayStation 6, Xbox: 20% faster raster, 2x in RT, AI

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. TweakTown may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners at no extra cost to you. AMD's next-generation UDNA architecture has had some new leaks teasing performance from next-gen Radeon graphics cards, the PlayStation 6, and next-gen Xbox... and it sounds fantastic. In a new post on the NeoGAF forums, leaker Kepler_L2 teased some new leaks on the next-gen UDNA architecture that will power future Radeon GPUs on the desktop, as well as the next-gen consoles in the PS6 and Xbox. Kepler said that we should expect around 20% or so additional performance out of the next-gen UDNA GPU and "around" 2x performance uplift in both ray tracing (RT) and AI. Kepler was asked if the home console SoC setup would have 3D V-Cache, to which he simply replied with "no". Lastly, VolticArchangel asked about the GPU side, and whether we'd see 64 CUs with 6 disabled, to which he said "don't know yet". Kepler was replying to SegaSnatcher who said: "Never doubt Mark Cerny. He still believes in the traditional dedicated console. PS6 will be double/triple/quadruple down on AI upscaling and Ray Tracing. He already hinted at that during the PS5 Pro tech talk". He replied with: "Both PS6 and Xbox are using the same GPU architecture so this is true for both of them". AMD ships its flagship RDNA 4-based Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card with 64 Compute Units, which is a (huge) decrease from the 96 Compute Units inside of the flagship RDNA 3-based Radeon RX 6900 XT. However, AMD and Sony have been putting in some serious work to move the gaming industry into a future of ray tracing, mixed with AI upscaling and Frame Generation technologies to boost performance across the board for both consoles and PC gamers. We should expect some big things from AMD's next-gen UDNA GPU architecture, which will need to not just compete with NVIDIA's current-gen Blackwell-based GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs, but also its next-gen GeForce RTX 60 series GPUs that we should see released in 2027.

PlayStation 6 will deliver 4K 120 FPS ray-traced gameplay, here's how

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. TweakTown may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners at no extra cost to you. AMD's current RDNA 4 generation, led by the flagship Radeon RX 9070 XT, is a turning point for the company as it introduces powerful new AI hardware into the RDNA architecture and overhauls how it renders real-time ray-traced visuals. Our review shows that the arrival of FSR 4's new AI-powered upscaling and powerful RT-capable hardware is a game-changer compared to previous-gen RDNA 3 graphics. With AMD shifting to a new unified data center and computer graphics architecture called UDNA for its next-generation GPUs, the latest rumors are pointing to UDNA GPUs offering a 20% increase in raw rasterized performance compared to RDNA 4 and a 2X increase in ray-tracing and AI performance. This technology is rumored to power the next-generation PlayStation 6 and Xbox consoles and the next desktop Radeon generation for PC gaming. Even though a 20% improvement to raw performance might sound incremental and not a game-changer, the RT and AI enhancements will power a level of real-time graphics on the PlayStation 6 and next-gen Xbox consoles that we haven't seen before. Microsoft's head of Xbox, Sarah Bond, hinted at this during a recent AMD and Microsoft partnership announcement, explicitly pointing out AI playing a key role in its next-gen gaming hardware. In other words, next-gen AMD and Radeon graphics will finally go all in on NVIDIA's pioneering work with its recent GeForce RTX generations, including the current GeForce RTX 50 Series. This includes AI-powered upscaling using powerful new models, as seen in DLSS 4, AI-enhanced rendering with Frame Generation and Multi Frame Generation, AI-denoising ala Ray Reconstruction to improve detail, and neural rendering that covers everything from texture compression to using AI to assist in complex ray-tracing calculations. Sony's Mark Cerny announced Project Amethyst in 2024, an initiative it spearheaded with AMD to develop powerful AI tools and technologies for rendering and gameplay. Stuff that is beyond the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 Pro, which can only handle lightweight AI models and tech. Project Amethyst is what led to the arrival of FSR 4 for the RDNA 4 generation, and it's behind AMD's recent FSR Redstone announcement that confirmed AI-powered Frame Generation, neural shaders, and AI denoising were coming to the Radeon RX 9000 Series later this year. With these technologies and powerful AI hardware, next-generation PlayStation and Xbox hardware will enter a new era of post-raw performance gaming. We've been talking about this heavily in our reviews of GeForce RTX hardware (covering the RTX 40 and RTX 50 Series) because DLSS opens the door to free performance. So much so that when it comes to benchmarks, it makes looking at raw FPS more academic than a representation of real-world gaming. For the PlayStation 6, UDNA's massive boost to ray-tracing will pave the way for real-time path tracing with AI upscaling and Frame Generation as standard. We expect several games to properly take advantage of 4K 120 Hz TVs for the first time, with 4K 120 FPS modes running with cutting-edge ray-tracing powered by AI. Until now, this has only been possible on PCs with high-end GeForce RTX hardware, and the result for consoles like the PlayStation 6 will be a levelling up of visuals on par with what we saw going from the original PlayStation to PlayStation 2. For those thinking that the jump from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 wasn't that impressive outside of the shift to fast SSD storage, the leap to an AI-powered PlayStation 6 is on track to be monumental - and we can't wait.

AMD's Next-Gen UDNA Architecture For Radeon GPUs, PlayStation-Next & Xbox-Next To Be 20% Faster In Raster, 2x In RayTracing & AI

AMD's next-generation UDNA architecture for gaming is expected to bring some big uplifts to Radeon GPUs & next-gen consoles such as PlayStation & Xbox. AMD Going For Double The Raytracing & AI Performance For It's Next-Gen UDNA Architecture Which Will Be Featured In Radeon GPUs, & Next PlayStation and Xbox Consoles Kepler_L2 shared some interesting information regarding AMD's next-gen graphics architecture, UDNA, on the Neogaf forums. The graphics architecture is expected to debut next year for next-generation Radeon GPUs, but it will also be deployed within next-gen consoles such as the Xbox and PlayStation. As per the information, it is stated that both the PlayStation 6 and Xbox-next will feature the same GPU architecture, which has been designed to focus on improving the raytracing & AI capabilities, tremendously. So, how much gain are we expecting to see? Well, Kepler did reply to that, too, but while Kepler is highly reliable with his leaks, we should treat them as a rumor for now. First up, we have the raster performance details, which are said to see a "20%-ish" uplift in perf per compute unit. This is a very good gain over the RDNA 4 architecture, which also delivers a solid gain over the older RDNA 3 architecture. It should be remembered that this is only a per/CU gain, and we do expect AMD to increase the number of CUs in its next-generation offerings. Currently, the PS5 Pro features 60 compute units while the Xbox Series X features 56 compute units. The PS5 Pro has a more modern architecture, which features faster raytracing and AI capabilities, which are said to be on par with RDNA 4. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT features 64 RDNA 4 compute units, which is a slight decrease vs the 96 compute units featured on RDNA 3 GPUs, but it still manages to get close to the older flagship in some titles and does a lot better with raytracing and AI capabilities. The latter two areas are where AMD will be focusing more as the gaming industry shifts towards a ray-traced future, coupled with upscaling and frame-gen techniques to further drive up performance capabilities. Both of these are going to see a 2x uplift, so we can expect AMD to really push for path tracing capabilities, which they have already demonstrated in their upcoming FSR 4 Redstone tech. Better upscaling and frame-gen support will also require faster AI capabilities, and that's another key area that AMD is going to push further. These will be backed by new Neural and Machine Learning capabilities that help to not only enhance the image quality but also provide stability to the overall experience. Once again, take this information with a slight grain of salt, but based on what we have seen and heard AMD do on the Radeon side over the past few months, a lot of this does seem credible, and we can't wait for the official announcements in the coming year.