Microsoft introduces a new programming interface (API). Five years after the release of DirectX 12, “DirectX 12 Ultimate” follows. It brings a number of new and improved technologies with you to enjoy them, but you need the latest hardware.
What are the requirements?
- current RTX-20 graphics cards from Nvidia
- Xbox Series with RDNA2 chip from AMD
- AMD Navi 2.x with RDNA2 chip
GTX-16 GPUs, which are also based on the Turing architecture, are not suitable for DirectX 12 Ultimate (DX12 Ultimate). The same applies to the PlayStation 5, which is generally not compatible with DirectX despite the RDNA2 chip.
What's new?
- DirectX Raytracing DXR 1.1: With various techniques such as inline ray tracing, developers should have the opportunity to use resources for real-time beam calculation more effectively. The quality should also be improved. DXR 1.1 was created in collaboration with Nvidia.
- Variable rate shading: VRS is designed to allow developers to adjust the shading rate in an image as needed. In this way, the focus can be placed on particularly important parts of the image and resources can be used in a more targeted manner.
- Mesh shaders: In technology, scenes with a very large number of objects should be able to be displayed more smoothly than before. Conversely, a higher level of detail should also be made possible.
- Sampler Feedback: Should lead to more performance and better loading times of textures.
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Do upcoming games need new hardware?
In short: no. According to Microsoft, DX12 Ultimate will have no impact on the compatibility of games with older, non-DX12 Ultimate-compatible graphics hardware. Even the latest titles will still be DX12 compatible, even when using instructions from DX12 Ultimate.
The new API should therefore offer advantages with regard to the performance and / or appearance of games, if you have suitable hardware, but the games will also be able to run without these advantages or without DX12 Ultimate hardware.
DX12 Ultimate is also said to facilitate the development of games that appear for PC and Xbox Series X by using the same command sets.
When will DX12 Ultimate be available? There is currently no precise information on this. DirectX 12 Ultimate will probably be rolled out with the new Windows 10 version 2004, which is due to be released in April or May 2020.
