HP TECH TAKES /...
Exploring today's technology for tomorrow's possibilities
Subscribe
OMEN RTX GPU Ray Tracing Guide 2025
Taaha Muffasil
|
November 10, 2025
The ray tracing revolution isn’t something to dream about anymore. It’s here, and it’s as beautiful as everyone anticipated. Over the past year, the conversation has shifted from “does it have ray tracing” to “how well does it run with ray tracing”. This technology that replicates the natural behaviour of light has paved the way for hyper-realistic scenery, becoming the new benchmark for visual fidelity in gaming. But what does that mean for gamers?
For gamers, it means reflections, shadows, and lighting that are indistinguishable from real life, creating a level of immersion once thought impossible. However, this stunning realism comes at the cost of serious hardware demands. That’s why our OMEN Gaming Desktops feature NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ graphics cards, to make these wonderful visuals accessible to gamers across different budgets. Whether you’re exploring gaming desktops or considering an upgrade, understanding ray tracing performance is essential for making an informed decision. But is the hardware and performance cost worth the visual upgrade? And how does OMEN find the right balance between performance and aesthetics? This guide will answer all those questions. So without further ado, let’s dive in.
What Is Ray Tracing? Understanding the Technology
Before we examine the statistics and tricks for optimising your system for ray tracing, let’s first understand the technology itself. For decades, video games have used a rendering technique called rasterisation. Think of it like creating a 2D painting of a 3D scene. It’s fast and effective, but it uses clever shortcuts and approximations to simulate lighting, shadows, and reflections.
Ray tracing, however, is more like a complete physics simulation. It traces the pathway of every individual ray of light from your viewpoint back to the light sources within your game, interacting with objects along the way, bouncing off a puddle or being blocked by a character. This allows the system to calculate the exact colour, brightness, and shadow information for every single pixel on your screen.
The result is lighting that behaves exactly as it would in the real world. Water reflects surroundings with perfect accuracy, glass refracts light naturally, and shadows fall precisely where they should based on the position of light sources. This creates an unprecedented level of realism that traditional rendering methods simply cannot match.
Benchmark Methodology and Test Setup
But don’t just take our word for it. We ran benchmarks in some of the most demanding titles and have the results for you. To provide clear and objective results, we used a consistent test environment for all benchmarks.
- Test System: OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i9-13900K
- Memory: 32GB DDR5 RAM
- Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD
- Games Tested: Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2, Portal with RTX, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
- Settings Used: Tests were conducted at 1920 x 1080 (1080p), 2560 x 1440 (1440p), and 3840 x 2160 (4K) resolutions with the highest in-game graphical presets.
- Performance Metrics: We tracked average frames per second (FPS) as our primary metric.
Our testing methodology ensures that results reflect real-world gaming scenarios rather than synthetic benchmarks. Each game was tested multiple times to ensure consistency, and we recorded both minimum and average frame rates to provide a complete picture of performance.
Ray Tracing Performance Benchmarks
Here’s how our OMEN systems performed across a suite of the most demanding ray-traced games available today. “Native RT” refers to Ray Tracing enabled without DLSS, whilst “DLSS 3 Performance” refers to Ray Tracing enabled with DLSS 3 set to its Performance mode, including Frame Generation.
Cyberpunk 2077 (RT: Overdrive - Path Tracing)
| GPU | Resolution | Native RT (Avg. FPS) | DLSS 3 Performance (Avg. FPS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 4060 Ti | 1080p | 21 | 68 |
| RTX 4070 Ti | 1440p | 25 | 80 |
| RTX 4090 | 4K | 28 | 95 |
Cyberpunk 2077’s path tracing implementation represents one of the most demanding ray tracing workloads available. The game’s dense urban environment, with countless reflective surfaces and complex lighting scenarios, pushes even high-end hardware to its limits.
Alan Wake 2 (Full Ray Tracing)
| GPU | Resolution | Native RT (Avg. FPS) | DLSS 3 Performance (Avg. FPS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 4060 Ti | 1080p | 35 | 85 |
| RTX 4070 Ti | 1440p | 42 | 98 |
| RTX 4090 | 4K | 50 | 125 |
Alan Wake 2 showcases the atmospheric potential of ray tracing, with its dark forests and dynamic lighting creating truly immersive environments. The game’s full ray tracing implementation delivers remarkable visual quality whilst maintaining playable frame rates with DLSS enabled.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered (RT: Very High)
| GPU | Resolution | Native RT (Avg. FPS) | DLSS 3 Performance (Avg. FPS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 4060 Ti | 1080p | 70 | 120 |
| RTX 4070 Ti | 1440p | 85 | 150 |
| RTX 4090 | 4K | 105 | 180+ |
Spider-Man Remastered demonstrates how ray tracing enhances open-world gaming. The reflections in New York’s glass-covered skyscrapers and puddles throughout the city add remarkable depth to the experience, all whilst maintaining high frame rates that suit the game’s fast-paced traversal mechanics.
DLSS 3 and Frame Generation Impact
As the benchmark results suggest, NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology is crucial for unlocking the full potential of games featuring ray tracing. But how exactly does it work?
DLSS is an AI-powered rendering technology that, in its traditional form (Super Resolution), renders the game at a lower internal resolution and then uses AI and the GPU’s Tensor Cores to intelligently upscale the image to your target resolution, reconstructing detail to look as good as native rendering.
With the RTX 40 Series, NVIDIA introduced Frame Generation, a revolutionary feature alongside DLSS 3, which analyses sequential frames and motion data to create new frames and inserts them between the traditionally rendered ones. This enhances the visual performance of the game whilst providing stable frame rates.
The impact is particularly noticeable in CPU-limited scenarios. When your processor struggles to deliver frames quickly enough, Frame Generation can effectively multiply your frame rate by creating intermediate frames. This technology is especially beneficial in open-world games with complex physics simulations and numerous NPCs, where CPU limitations traditionally restrict performance.
Is OMEN Ray Tracing Good? Performance Analysis
The benchmark results look impressive, but what do they mean in practice? From a performance perspective, OMEN desktops are exceptionally well-suited for running games with ray tracing. The primary challenge these systems face isn’t performance but heat, as ray tracing pushes your GPU to its absolute limit. This is why all of our desktops come with advanced cooling solutions to manage heat effectively. This is a critical advantage of an integrated, professionally designed system.
When compared to self-built alternatives, OMEN systems offer several distinct advantages. The thermal engineering is specifically designed around the components included, ensuring optimal airflow and heat dissipation. The cable management is pre-optimised, which not only looks cleaner but also improves airflow throughout the case. Additionally, the warranty coverage and support that comes with an OMEN system provides peace of mind that component-by-component warranties from multiple manufacturers cannot match.
Optimising Ray Tracing on OMEN Systems
If you already own an OMEN PC, you can leverage certain capabilities already present within your machine to ensure the perfect balance between visual quality and performance. Here are tips to extract every last bit of power and performance from your computer.
- Start with OMEN Gaming Hub: Use our built-in Gaming Hub software to ensure your system is running in Performance Mode, which optimises power and fan curves for gaming.
- Let DLSS Do the Work: For most games, the best approach is to turn ray tracing settings to High or Ultra and then enable DLSS 3 in Quality or Balanced mode. This gives you the best visuals with minimal performance impact.
- Monitor Your Temperatures: Keep an eye on GPU temperatures during extended gaming sessions. If temperatures consistently exceed 80°C, ensure your case has adequate airflow and consider adjusting fan curves through the OMEN Gaming Hub.
- Know When to Disable: In highly competitive, fast-paced shooters where every millisecond counts, you may still want to prioritise raw frame rates over visual fidelity. Consider turning ray tracing off in these specific scenarios to push your FPS to its absolute maximum.
- Game-Specific Settings: In some games, ray-traced reflections have a huge impact whilst ray-traced shadows are more subtle. You can often gain back significant performance by lowering or disabling one specific RT feature through the in-game settings without a major loss in overall quality.
- Update Your Drivers: NVIDIA regularly releases driver updates that improve ray tracing performance in specific games. Keeping your drivers current ensures you’re getting the best possible performance from your hardware.
Understanding the UK Gaming Landscape
The UK gaming market has embraced ray tracing technology enthusiastically, with British developers leading innovation in this space. Studios across the country are increasingly building games with ray tracing as a core feature rather than an afterthought. This means UK gamers investing in capable hardware today are ensuring their systems remain relevant for years to come.
Additionally, the competitive gaming scene in the UK continues to grow, with tournaments regularly held in major cities. Whilst competitive players often prioritise frame rates over visual fidelity, having a system capable of both allows you to switch between competitive and casual gaming modes effortlessly. Our gaming desktops are designed with this flexibility in mind.
Future of Ray Tracing on OMEN
Like every other technological revolution, ray tracing will only improve with time. In 2025, we are at the cusp of even more widespread adoption of complete path tracing; however, the need for more powerful hardware will scale alongside technological advancement. Games launching in 2026 and beyond will be designed from the ground up with ray tracing in mind, making it less of a feature and more of a foundational element of game design.
As NVIDIA continues to innovate with its next generation of GPUs and DLSS technology, you can be sure that future OMEN systems from HP will be ready to push the boundaries of what’s possible. The modular design of OMEN desktops means that when next-generation graphics cards arrive, upgrading is straightforward, protecting your investment for years to come.
The integration of AI into gaming extends beyond just rendering. Future games will leverage machine learning for improved NPC behaviour, dynamic difficulty adjustment, and even procedural content generation. OMEN systems’ powerful processors and ample memory ensure they’re ready for these innovations as they arrive.
Additional Components to Enhance Your Ray Tracing Experience
Whilst the GPU is the heart of ray tracing performance, other components play crucial roles in delivering an optimal experience. Consider these additions to maximise your OMEN setup:
Monitors for Ray Tracing
Ray tracing’s visual benefits are best appreciated on a quality display. The HP E27q G5 QHD IPS Business Monitor offers excellent colour accuracy and sharpness for showcasing ray-traced graphics, whilst the OMEN 27k 4K UHD IPS Gaming Monitor with 144Hz refresh provides the perfect canvas for 4K ray tracing with smooth motion. For those seeking an immersive ultrawide experience, the OMEN 34c WQHD Curved Gaming Monitor delivers stunning visuals with its 1500R curve and 165Hz refresh rate.
Peripherals and Accessories
Enhance your gaming setup with quality gaming accessories designed to complement your OMEN system. From precision mice to mechanical keyboards, the right peripherals can elevate your gaming experience beyond just visual fidelity.
Conclusion
After extensive testing across various titles, the verdict is clear: ray tracing is the future. The combination of dedicated ray tracing core hardware in OMEN PCs and the massive performance uplift provided by DLSS 3 means the performance of these machines has never been better. If you are still having trouble deciding which desktop to get, here is a quick breakdown:
- For the 1080p Gamer: An OMEN with an RTX 4070 SUPER is your perfect entry point into the world of ray tracing, offering a smooth and beautiful experience in the latest titles.
- For the 1440p Enthusiast: The RTX 4060 Ti configuration hits the absolute sweet spot, delivering high-refresh-rate ray tracing that will satisfy both graphics enthusiasts and competitive players.
- For the Extreme Performance Seeker: If you demand the absolute best with no compromises, an OMEN powerhouse like the 45L is the only choice for breathtaking gaming with all ray tracing features enabled.
The UK gaming community deserves hardware that can keep pace with their passion and skill. Whether you’re exploring atmospheric horror games, competing in esports tournaments, or simply enjoying the latest AAA releases, ray tracing technology transforms the experience. With OMEN’s commitment to performance, upgradeability, and thermal management, you’re not just buying a gaming PC—you’re investing in years of cutting-edge gaming experiences.
Ready to experience ray tracing for yourself? Explore our full range of gaming desktops to find the perfect OMEN system for your needs. The future of gaming is here, and it looks absolutely stunning.
