Digital Foundry Direct Weekly: Rocket Lake and Cyberpunk 1.2 Discussion

Intel Rocket Lake Performance Review

The team evaluates the new Intel Rocket Lake CPUs (specifically the i9-11900K and i5-11600K). While the processors show some strong results, particularly in specific CPU-limited titles like Flight Simulator, they are generally perceived as a gap filler due to the aging process and increased power consumption compared to competitive Ryzen 5000 series chips.

Key Takeaways on Benchmarks

• Core Impact: The shift from 10 cores on the 10th Gen to 8 cores on the 11th Gen i9 is highly criticized.
• Gaming Performance: Rocket Lake is competitive but does not consistently outperform Ryzen 5000.
• Budget Opportunity: The Core i5-11600K appears to be a potential "sweet spot" for tuners, though the platforms remain in a holding pattern until Alder Lake arrives.

"It feels like a gap filler to me. That's what it feels like."

Cyberpunk 2077 Update 1.2 & Technical Analysis

The discussion covers the impact of the 1.2 patch for Cyberpunk 2077 on consoles. While there are noticeable optimizations for the PS4 Pro, the experience on base consoles remains suboptimal. The team also touches upon AMD's ray tracing performance in the game, noting that the architecture currently struggles significantly compared to Nvidia Ampere designs due to design prioritization and lack of specific optimizations.

Game Preservation & PS Store Debates

A critical segment focuses on the announced closure of the PS3, PSP, and PS Vita stores. The team expresses deep concern regarding the loss of access to classic titles, noting that Sony's current strategy lacks a focus on long-term digital preservation and legacy game availability.

Software & Hardware Topics

• Game Pass Woes: Concerns are raised regarding the user experience, file management, and update processes on the PC version of the Game Pass store.
• 120Hz on Consoles: Highlights the growing trend of high-refresh-rate gaming on consoles, specifically mentioning Samurai Shodown and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2.
• Retro Corner: Briefly highlights the Rome Total War remaster and the ongoing frustrations with rising international shipping costs for retro hardware enthusiasts.