Microsoft whetted demand for its Xbox Series X product line on Monday with the revelation of some impressive specs for its next-generation gaming console.

Xbox Head Phil Spencer spilled the following details:

• A custom processor based on AMD's Zen 2 RDNA architecture, which delivers four times the processing power of the Xbox One and offers developers 12 teraflops of GPU performance -- twice the performance of an Xbox One X;

• Optimized Variable Rate Shading, which allows developers to use the full power of the Series X more efficiently by allowing them to prioritize individual effects on specific game characters or environmental objects without a loss of image quality; and

• Hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing, which Microsoft says is a first for console gaming, to create true-to-life lighting, accurate reflections, and realistic acoustics in real time.

"It's really going to be a kick in the pants for the industry," said Mark N. Vena, senior analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy, a technology analyst and advisory firm in Austin, Texas.

"It should provide quite a bit of adrenalin because the specs are really mind blowing," he told TechNewsWorld.

Wringing Out Latency

Microsoft has tried to wring every bit of latency out its next-generation Xbox through the following additions:

• Next-generation SSD storage for game worlds that are larger, more dynamic and fast loading;

• A Quick Resume feature that allows you to continue multiple games from a suspended state almost instantly;

• Dynamic Latency Input, which squeezes latency from communications between the Xbox Wireless Controller and console;

• Support of HDMI 2.1 innovations like Auto Low Latency Mode and Variable Refresh Rate, which automatically sets a connected display to its lowest latency mode and synchronizes a display's refresh rate to a game's refresh rate, allowing it to maintain smooth visuals without "tearing;" and

• Support of 120 frames per second output, allowing developers to heighten the realism of their games and take their action up a notch.

Spencer also reiterated Microsoft's commitment to backward compatibility.

"Our commitment to compatibility means existing Xbox One games, including backward-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, look and play better than ever before," he promised.

"Your favorite games, including titles in Xbox Game Pass, benefit from steadier framerates, faster load times and improved resolution and visual fidelity -- all with no developer work required," noted Spencer.

"The one thing Microsoft has done better than Sony is backward compatibility with titles," Moor's Vena said. "Sony has been less successful in doing that. When you buy a PS4, there are old titles that won't work on it."