What is DirectX 12
Microsoft DirectX 12, popularly known as "DX12", is a set of different technologies created to support Windows-based personal computers (PC) display and run applications full of audiovisual elements such as 3D animation, video, colored graphics, and rich audio. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how this software works, it is crucial to note that DirectX 12 is pre-installed in Windows 10, and the software only runs on computers with Windows 10.
Download DirectX 12 for Windows 10
DirectX 12 offers high frames per second and impressive PC performance. Microsoft transformed the gaming world by introducing the "variable rate shading" in DirectX12. This unique technology boosts your computer's performance by controlling the shading rate in various parts of the scene. Read along for more information on DirectX 12 requirements, features, and benefits.
Requirements for download
To download DirectX 12, you first need to know its compatibility requirements with your computer's operating system. In this case, DirectX12, as stated earlier, only operates on computers with Microsoft Windows 10. If you are a developer, Microsoft has listed some of the requirements needed to develop using DirectX 12. They include hardware and Drivers PIX, Windows Insiders Preview SDK, and Visual Studio, to mention a few. Even though Windows 10 contains DirectX 12, Microsoft often releases updates to help fix bugs and enhance performance. You can get the latest updates by enabling your computer to accept Windows updates automatically or manually installing them.
Get DirectX 12 (dxwebsetup.exe)
Benefits of DirectX12
One of the key benefits of this software is that it enables developers to maximize the video card's power to attain excellent gaming qualities. It plays a significant role in real-time rendering and improves picture qualities. Other benefits of DirectX 12 include:
- It boosts GPU performance and CPU activities to process dedicatedly and independently, improving performance.
- It also helps your Personal Computer (PC) fix bugs that prevent you from noticing GPU failure to adhere to instructions and the consequences of that failure.
- It enhances debugging on commands and information, making it easy to identify an error and easy for the user to notice and fix the error.
- It boosts 4k resolution.
Graphic card option
Here are several graphic card options that you can use with DirectX 12. They include;
- AMD's Radeon™ RX 6900 XT
- Radeon™ RX 6800 XT
- Radeon RX 6800XT
- NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 300
- GeForce RTX™ 3090
- GeForce RTX™ 3080
- GeForce RTX™ 3070
- GeForce RTX™ 3060 Ti
- RTX 20 series
[image - internal]
DirectX 12 Features
This version of DirectX 12 is ideal for games running on Xbox or PC. It is the best choice for 4K games usually available on Xbox Series consoles. It offers a lightweight state for gaming, improves sound and visual outputs, supports tessellation, increases the intensity of multicore processor, multithreading condition, draws call overhead reduction, and shaders baking.
DirectX 12 Ultimate Features
The DirectX 12 Ultimate has four main features: Sampler feedback, DirectX Raytracing, mesh shaders, and variable rate shading. Details of these features are as follows:
DirectX Raytracing 1.1. (DXR)
This feature enables developers to create high-quality graphics. It also assists developers in monitoring light paths with the highest degree of accuracy. Moreover, this feature makes it possible for game engines to display objects when the player is moving around.
Mesh shaders
Mesh shaders offer game developers a lot of programming abilities. With this feature, developers can create more dynamic and detailed worlds as a result of the availability of maximum power of generalized GPU. Rather than the usual sole function of shade, mesh shaders function over the whole compute group.
Variable-rate shading
Variable-rate shading plays a significant role in supporting developers to change a game's shading rate electively. It enables developers to use GPU horsepower to improve speed and visuals. Therefore, if it is a speedy scene, the devs could command the GPU to use cinematic and speed experience to enhance visuals.
Sampler feedback
The sampler feedback makes it possible for developers to introduce texture when needed. You see, when the camera moves quickly through different scenes, objects may appear out of position. This feature ensures better visual quality, less stuttering, and a shorter load time.
DirectX Versions
Below are some of the versions of DirectX
DirectX 13 - No information on this version is available to date. However, we anticipate the release of DirectX 13 in 2022. No doubt, this update will focus primarily on Windows 11 and the latest generations of graphics cards.
DirectX 12 - With this DirectX version, GPU and CPU tasks are handled separately, prevent bugs, enhanced troubleshooting, supports 4K goals, and improved workstations are its main features. It is incorporated within Windows 10. DirectX 12 in Windows 8 and 7 is retained in that variant of Windows
DirectX 11 - This DirectX version is compatible with Windows Vista, Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. Its main feature includes enhanced multithreading support, tessellation support, and GPU support.
DirectX 10 - Initially only compatible with Windows Vista, but later it was improved and compatible with Windows XP. Its main features are Xinput and a Cross-platform audio creation tool system (XACT).
DirectX 9 - Unveiled in 2002 for both Windows XP and Windows 98, it was later made compatible with the other subsequent versions. Its main features include a shader model 2.0 with vertex shader2.0 and pixel shader 2.0.
Should I upgrade to the latest version of DirectX?
Yes, you should. New games require the latest version of DirectX, and the older versions are slowly fading over time. As a gamer, you'll want the full experience, top-quality graphics, and an incredible sound experience. In that case, you should seriously think of upgrading to the latest version of DirectX.
Another thing to consider is the performance of your PC. If your system performance is slow or laggy when playing a game, you need to upgrade your version of DirectX. You can manually download DirectX 12 through our direct download link. If you already have Windows 10, all you need to do is enable automatic Windows update, and you are good to go.
Conclusion
If you have Windows 7, Windows 8, or any other previous Windows version, it would be best if you got Windows 10 with DirectX12 ultimate to get the most out of your favorite games. You need to upgrade your DirectX for an immersive gaming experience. Additionally, DirectX has been registered and listed as Freeware for PCs with Windows as their OS (64-bit and 32-bit) and is accessible to all PC gamers for free. Download DirectX 12 ultimate today and change your gaming experience.
