Minecraft RTX: Competition & all info on the big graphics update
In this guide to Minecraft's RTX™ update, you'll learn:
- What ray tracing is
- What effects the RTX™ update enables in Minecraft
- How to install the RTX update.
In collaboration with NVIDIA® and Microsoft, developer team Mojang is currently working on a major and free graphics update for the Windows 10 Bedrock edition of Minecraft. The update will add ray tracing to the brick-building game, which should make Minecraft look more beautiful on PC than ever before.
We'll tell you exactly what ray tracing is and which NVIDIA® graphics cards will allow you to enjoy ray tracing in Minecraft.
UPDATE: 2020-04-17
Table of Contents
What is ray tracing used for in video games?
Ray tracing is used in video games to provide a more realistic representation of the environment. With ray tracing, light is calculated physically correct and in real time. This takes lighting and reflections in games to a whole new level.
The representation of shadows also benefits from ray tracing and thus gains additional detail. The next console generation - PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X - is also expected to support ray tracing.
How ray tracing is changing Minecraft
Minecraft will use path tracing, an even more advanced and detailed form of ray tracing. In the trailer, you can see how path tracing significantly boosts the simple visuals of Minecraft.
With path tracing, the game world reacts in real time to the incidence of light - whether it's from the sun, glowstone blocks or even lava. Clouds and fog provide additional atmospheric effects, while water, ice and glass realistically reflect the environment.
For example, while gold blocks in Minecraft have simply been yellow up to now, the RTX™ update will make them really shiny and reflect the immediate surroundings.
Modders should also be able to use ray tracing and thus craft their own mods with the impressive technology for Minecraft Windows 10 Bedrock Edition.
Enjoy ray tracing in Minecraft with these NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ graphics cards
To experience ray tracing in Minecraft, you'll need an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ graphics card in your PC or laptop. These come in several flavors:
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2060 ()
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 ()
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2080 ()
The NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2060 models offer an affordable entry into ray tracing technology, while the high-end NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2080 models are ideal for enthusiasts. The models with the name NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 form the golden mean. But no matter which variant you choose, they all offer enough performance to enable ray tracing in Minecraft.
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ models can also be found in many laptops, so you can even experience Minecraft on the go with ray tracing enabled and in all its glory.
How to be part of Minecraft RTX
Microsoft and NVIDIA have released the beta of the RTX™ update for Minecraft. This means that every player will have access to the graphics update if you meet the following requirements.
In addition to one of the RTX™-capable graphics cards mentioned above, you will also need the Windows 10 edition of Minecraft and thus Windows 10 as a basis. Since the update is still in beta status, you will also need the Xbox Insider Hub, which you can download for free.
How to install the update
On the official Minecraft website you can find detailed instructions on how to get the update running on your PC. We have translated the individual steps for you in the next video.
- Step 1: Install and open the Xbox Insider Hub.
- Step 2: In the app you will find a tab for "Minecraft for Windows 10 Beta".
- Step 3: Click on the "Join" button there.
- Step 4: A window will appear with three choices - including "Minecraft RTX Beta".
- Step 5: Select the RTX beta.
If you have installed automatic updates for Minecraft, the program will then automatically download the beta. In some cases, it may also help to reinstall the game completely. If you have installed the beta, you will see the version number 1.15.0.8 in the main menu.
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