Intel Arc A770 vs Matrix City: Testing Unreal Engine 5 Lumen Feature

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. testing the Lumen feature in Unreal Engine 5
3. Performance on different settings 3.1. 1440p Native setting 3.2. Epic settings 3.3. Cinematic settings 3.4. 4K resolution
4. Performance on different demos 4.1. Valley of the Ancients 4.2. The Matrix City demo 4.3. Broadleaf Forest biome demo
5. Conclusion
6. Additional resources

Testing the Lumen Feature in Unreal Engine 5

Unreal Engine 5 has been making waves in the gaming community with its highly anticipated features, one of which is Lumen, a next-generation global illumination system. As an avid gamer and tech enthusiast, I couldn't resist the opportunity to test out this feature and see how it performs. In this article, I'll be sharing my experience with testing the Lumen feature in Unreal Engine 5, as well as the overall performance of the engine on different settings and demos. So, grab your popcorn and let's dive into the world of Unreal Engine 5!

1. Introduction

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty details, let's quickly go over what Unreal Engine 5 and its Lumen feature bring to the table. Unreal Engine 5 is the latest iteration of Epic Games' powerful game development platform, known for its stunning graphics, physics simulation, and ease of use. With Unreal Engine 5, developers have access to even more tools and features that push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of gaming.

Lumen, specifically, is a real-time global illumination system that enhances the visual fidelity of games by accurately simulating how light interacts with the environment. It enables dynamic lighting and shadows that respond realistically to changes in the scene, creating a more immersive and lifelike gaming experience. But how well does it perform in practice? Let's find out!

2. Testing the Lumen Feature in Unreal Engine 5

To put the Lumen feature to the test, I compiled a demo from Unreal Engine 5 and started experimenting with various settings. First, I set the screen percentage to 100 and enabled Lumen GI Reflections. Surprisingly, everything seemed to be working flawlessly at 1440p resolution with maximum settings. The average FPS hovered around 50, which was quite encouraging.

However, as I delved deeper into testing different games, namely Matrix City and Valley of the Ancients, I encountered some performance issues. The reflections in Valley of the Ancients were not rendering properly, resulting in a less-than-desirable visual experience. The FPS dropped significantly, making the gameplay less smooth.

3. Performance on Different Settings

Moving on to the performance on different settings, I tweaked the graphics options to see how they affected the overall experience. Here's a breakdown of my findings:

3.1. 1440p Native Setting

At the recommended 1440p resolution, the performance remained steady, with an average FPS around 50. The visuals were impressive, showcasing the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. However, I did Notice a drop in FPS when I switched to Epic settings, losing around 15-20 frames.

3.2. Epic Settings

With Epic settings enabled, the graphics became even more stunning, but at the cost of a significant drop in FPS. I observed a decrease of about 15-20 frames, making me question whether sacrificing performance for slightly enhanced visuals was worth it, especially on a mid-range graphics card like the GTX 770.

3.3. Cinematic Settings

Enabling the cinematic settings took a toll on both performance and graphics quality. The FPS plummeted to an unplayable 15, and the graphical difference compared to the previous settings was not substantial. In my opinion, sacrificing 40 FPS for a cinematic experience was not worth it, considering the minimal improvement in visuals.

3.4. 4K Resolution

Testing the limits of the Lumen feature, I cranked up the resolution to 4K. While the performance on high settings was acceptable, hovering around 30 FPS, it was not as smooth as the lower resolutions. However, considering the increased visual fidelity and the potential for playing on a larger screen, it was a decent trade-off.

4. Performance on Different Demos

Apart from testing the engine with different settings, I also tried out three different demos: Valley of the Ancients, The Matrix City, and a Broadleaf Forest biome. Unfortunately, the results were not as favorable as expected.

4.1. Valley of the Ancients

The Valley of the Ancients demo suffered from rendering issues, with textures and graphics failing to load correctly. Despite numerous attempts, the demo remained unstable, often resulting in crashes. This was disappointing, considering the potential of the demo and its visual appeal.

4.2. The Matrix City Demo

The Matrix City demo also experienced similar problems, including frequent crashes and incomplete rendering of textures. The controls were cumbersome, and I struggled to navigate the environment effectively. While the NPC models were impressive, they only rendered fully when in close proximity.

4.3. Broadleaf Forest Biome Demo

In contrast to the previous demos, the Broadleaf Forest biome demo showcased the Unreal Engine 5's capabilities effectively. With high settings and the addition of temporal super-resolution (TSR), the demo ran smoothly at a stable 30-40 FPS on 4K resolution. The lush environment and detailed textures made it a delight to explore.

5. Conclusion

Overall, my experience with testing the Lumen feature in Unreal Engine 5 was a mixed bag. While the engine performed admirably in some instances, delivering stunning visuals and smooth gameplay, it fell short in others, plagued by rendering issues and performance limitations.

It's important to remember that the demos I tested were not optimized and were obtained from unofficial sources. As such, these issues may not be reflective of the final performance gamers can expect from future titles utilizing Unreal Engine 5.

Nevertheless, the potential of Unreal Engine 5 and its Lumen feature is undeniable. With further optimization and fine-tuning, it has the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry, further blurring the line between virtual and reality.

6. Additional Resources

For more information on Unreal Engine 5 and to explore its vast capabilities, visit the official Epic Games website: epicgames.com/unrealengine/

To download and test the demos Mentioned in this article, visit the following links:

• Valley of the Ancients Demo
• The Matrix City Demo
• Broadleaf Forest Biome Demo

Highlights:

• Unreal Engine 5 introduces the Lumen feature, a real-time global illumination system.
• Performance varies depending on settings, with a trade-off between visuals and FPS.
• Valve of the Ancients and The Matrix City demos faced rendering and stability issues.
• The Broadleaf Forest biome demo showcased the engine's potential and ran smoother.

FAQ

Q: Is Unreal Engine 5 optimized for all games? A: Unreal Engine 5 is a powerful tool, but optimization depends on how developers utilize it. Some demos may not accurately reflect the final performance of future games.

Q: Can I download and test the demos mentioned in the article? A: Yes, you can download the demos to experience Unreal Engine 5 firsthand. Visit the provided links for each demo.

Q: What are some notable features of Unreal Engine 5? A: Unreal Engine 5 boasts features like Lumen for real-time global illumination, superior physics simulation, and enhanced visuals.

Q: Which resolution performed the best in tests? A: For optimal performance, 1440p resolution with native settings was recommended. Higher resolutions led to a decrease in FPS.

Q: Are there any alternatives to Unreal Engine 5? A: Yes, there are several game engines available, such as Unity, CryEngine, and Godot, each with its own set of features and performance characteristics.