For some time now, we’ve been hearing things like Ray Tracing, Variable Rate Shading, DirectStorage and other words related to the DX12 Ultímate API that are shaping the future of gaming. But such a future is far from the low-end cards in the market where full DX12 Ultimate support is completely absent.
One of the good things the PC allows is being able to configure our PC the way we want and in the case of gaming PCs we have seen different setups, for all pockets and needs. But, at this point, the lack of support starts to be a bit worrying.
What does DirectX 12 Ultimate offer?
DX 12 Ultimate is the latest update to the DirectX 12 API, which adds support for a number of technologies that have been built into AMD’s high-end and mid-to-high end graphics cards and from NVIDIA. Among the technologies that have been added, we can consider the following:
- Laser trace.
- Shading at variable rate.
- DirectStorage, the possibility of using the SSD by the graphics card.
- DirectML, the ability to run AI algorithms on the GPU, and dedicated chips and drives such as neural processors and systolic arrays.
- Mesh Shaders
- Etc.
A good deal of these technologies if we buy a GPU above 400 $ and that in newer generations is supported, but not in low end GPUs, so that means when games start to use more of these technologies let’s see how these cards are really going to be numbered.
No GPU compatible with DX12 Ultimate in the low end
The combination of the different technologies incorporated in DX12 Ultimate is not only designed to beautify the graphics of a game, but also to speed up the execution of the game, thus increasing the number of frames per second.
If these technologies don’t find their way into low-to-mid-range GPUs, then we find that the supply currently on the market is very poor, so buying one of these cards for our PCs can definitely get us to see each other. limited in the short term and completely out of sight in the medium term.
Neither AMD nor NVIDIA has in their mid-to-low range at the time of this writing, graphics cards that are fully compatible with DX 12 Ultimate.
Why is DX12 Ultimate bracket important in low ranges?
Imagine that a game uses DirectStorage to access game data faster, which is stored on an SSD. But, you end up with the paradox that your GPU does not support DirectStorage and the SSD cannot be used by said GPU although it is fast enough to move the game.
Another example is with the VRS, imagine for a moment a situation where your GPU which is theoretically more powerful delivers a lower frame rate in some games which have been optimized for the use of DirectStorage which allows it to capitalize on the SSD. Well, not only for SSD, but also for many other technologies which include the latest Microsoft API and still not supported in the lower middle range.
This means that when you buy a graphics card that is not at the top of the range at the moment, you should take into account that the lack of full support for the most advanced version of Microsoft’s API could force you to replace it earlier than planned, unless you plan to invest a little more and provide full support.
Will 2021 be the year of the middle and the lower end?
All indications are that in a few weeks we will see both the AMD RX 6700 and NVIDIA RTX 3060, which will target the mid-range and have the same specs as their older sisters. At the moment, we do not know their official price and rumors place them between $ 300 and $ 400 in terms of starting price.
But the question that keeps circling our heads is about graphics below $ 300. Will we have to wait another year or will we finally have a GPU from each brand in the low end with DX12 Ultimate support? Today, the performance of an RTX 2060 SUPER should be more than possible on a $ 250 GPU and see the improvements NVIDIA has made to the RTX 3000 even for less than $ 200, although it is
But the reality is that while waiting for the new line of cards, we don’t have it and having a GPU with full support for DX12 Ultimate can mean the difference between a low-to-mid-range GPU that lasts a long time. longer life. or less.
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