---
title: RDNA2 and SPIR-V — defined | Meridian
description: Definition: Meridian rebuilds PS5 RDNA2 GPU work as Vulkan SPIR-V pipelines compiled per title and cached.
canonical: https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/lexicon/rdna2-spir-v
updated: 2026-10-13
---

# RDNA2 and SPIR-V

RDNA2 in, SPIR-V out. Console GPU work rebuilt as cached Vulkan pipelines.

## Facts (2026-10-13)

- **In:** PS5 RDNA2 GPU command streams
- **Out:** Vulkan 1.3 SPIR-V pipelines
- **Cache:** Per title; first sight compiles
- **Check:** Vulkan probe must pass first

## Definition

RDNA2 names the console GPU architecture whose command streams Meridian consumes. SPIR-V names the compiled Vulkan pipeline form Meridian produces. Translation between them is the renderer's entire job — see [How it works](/reference/how-ps5-emulator-works).

Compiled pipelines persist in the per-title [Shader cache](/reference/shader-cache). First sight compiles, second sight reuses — the warm-up pattern behind every game note.

## Usage

- Vulkan 1.3 with current drivers is the floor; confirm in [Vulkan check](/reference/vulkan-check).

- Why Vulkan specifically is argued in [Why Vulkan](/diff/why-vulkan).

- Own your library; translation quality is per title and tracked in the [Library](/library). Build: [Download Meridian](/download).

## FAQ

### Do I need to know SPIR-V to use Meridian?

No. Know only that pipelines compile once per effect and persist — the rest is the warm-up ritual.

### Why not translate to DirectX?

Vulkan's explicit pipeline model maps RDNA2 behavior most directly. See [Why Vulkan](/diff/why-vulkan).

### Are pipelines shared between titles?

Never. Each title owns its cache; sharing corrupts silently.

## Related

- [Lexicon](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/lexicon)
- [How it works](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/reference/how-ps5-emulator-works)
- [Shader cache](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/reference/shader-cache)
- [Vulkan check](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/reference/vulkan-check)
- [Why Vulkan](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/diff/why-vulkan)

## Download

Free Windows app: [Download Meridian](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/download)

Markdown mirror: https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/lexicon/rdna2-spir-v.md