What is DirectX 12 and Why is it Important?

Thomas Lucero
2 years ago

DirectX 12 is a collection of technologies deployed by the Windows 10 operating system to enable more efficient use of computing and graphics hardware. It was released in 2015 as part of an effort to reduce power consumption when running modern 3D games, allowing developers to get the most out of their computers’ resources. DirectX 12 allows for better utilization of multiple CPU cores and GPUs, enabling advanced graphical features, such as tessellation and multi-threaded rendering. It also helps bring “console-quality” visuals to PCs at lower cost. So we will tell you more about it.

Table of contents:

What is DirectX?

DirectX is a software development kit (SDK) created by Microsoft. It is primarily used to develop video games and applications that require high-level graphical performance. DirectX consists of two components: the Direct3D API, which allows developers to create three-dimensional graphics, and the DirectSound API, which provides audio capabilities. DirectX has become an essential part of Windows gaming since its introduction in 1995, with new versions released every few years to keep up with evolving technology. 

Games developed using DirectX are often incredibly lifelike in terms of visuals and sound, making for an immersive experience for users. As such, it has been widely adopted by both independent developers and major studios alike as the go-to tool for creating modern PC games.

DirectX 12 Ultimate explained

DirectX 12 Ultimate is the latest version of Microsoft’s graphics API, released in 2020. It provides a range of improvements and features not available in earlier versions. Here are some of the key benefits DirectX 12 Ultimate offers: 

  • Improved performance. DirectX 12 Ultimate allows developers to more effectively utilize hardware resources, resulting in higher frame rates and faster loading times. This leads to an overall smoother gaming experience with less lag and stutter. 
  • Enhanced graphics. With DirectX 12 Ultimate, game developers can now take advantage of new graphical technologies, such as real-time ray tracing and variable rate shading (VRS). These technologies provide realistic lighting effects, improved textures, and lifelike detail to games that wouldn’t be possible with earlier versions of DirectX.
  • Reduced overhead. DirectX 12 Ultimate helps reduce CPU bottlenecks by providing a more efficient communication path between the GPU and other components of the computer. This means that developers can get more out of their hardware, resulting in better performance for gamers. 
  • Enhanced VR support. DirectX 12 Ultimate provides improved support for virtual reality (VR) headsets, such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. This allows developers to create immersive experiences with higher frame rates and reduced latency, improving the overall experience when playing games in VR. 
  • Cross-platform compatibility. Unlike previous versions of DirectX, which were Windows-exclusive, DirectX 12 Ultimate supports multiple platforms, including PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. This allows developers to create games that can be played across platforms with fewer compatibility issues. 

Overall, DirectX 12 Ultimate provides a range of benefits for gamers and developers alike. Its improved performance, enhanced graphics, reduced overhead, VR support, and cross-platform compatibility make it the real standard for gaming in the near future.

How to install and update DirectX

DirectX is a collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) used by many multimedia applications and games to render graphics, sound, animation, and various other features. It is an essential component of the Windows operating system and must be kept up-to-date in order for programs that rely on it to run correctly.

To install or update DirectX on Windows 10 computers: 

  1. Type ‘Device Manager’ into the search box at the bottom left corner of your screen, then select ‘Device Manager’ from the list of results. 
  2. Once you have opened Device Manager, select ‘Display adapters’ in the list of devices on the left side of the window. 
  3. Right-click on the current display adapter, then select ‘Properties’ from the menu that appears. 
  4. Select the ‘Driver’ tab in the window that appears. 
  5. Click on the ‘Update Driver’ button and follow any on-screen instructions to complete the process. 
  6. Once you have completed updating your driver, you can open DirectX Diagnostic Tool by typing ‘dxdiag’ into the Windows Search bar and selecting it from the list of results. 
  7. When the DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens, select ‘System’ from the left side of its window and check whether it says your computer is using DirectX 11 or higher in order to make sure that your computer is running the latest version of DirectX. 
  8. If you are running an older version, you can download and install the latest version of DirectX from Microsoft’s website. 

By using these steps, you should be able to update or install DirectX on your Windows 10 computers without any difficulties. It is important to keep the program up-to-date in order for programs that rely on it to run correctly and take advantage of all its features. With the help of this guide, you should have no problem getting your system up-to-date and running smoothly.

What DX12 can do for you

DX12 is Microsoft’s latest graphics API, and it has a lot to offer for PC gamers. It allows you to get the most out of your hardware, enabling more efficient use of resources and higher frame rates. With DX12, developers are able to access multiple cores on the GPU more efficiently, resulting in faster performance. In addition, DX12 can provide better visuals with increased draw distances and improved lighting effects. 

The overall experience is smoother and more responsive than ever before so you won’t miss any of the action. On top of that, DX12 also reduces power consumption which means longer battery life when gaming on laptops.

In conclusion

In conclusion, DirectX 12 is a software suite developed by Microsoft that enables developers to create 3D graphics for games and other applications. It provides increased performance and reduced power consumption compared to its predecessors, which helps make the most of modern gaming hardware. DirectX 12 also offers support for multiple GPUs, allowing developers to scale up their game’s visuals without sacrificing performance.