DirectX 12 and current cards

[bradly1101]

I know GCN Radeons and Nvidia 600+ are supposedly DX12 compatible, but since it's new, how likely do you think it is that there will be features available in DX12 code which will require new hardware?

I'm asking because I could use a graphics upgrade but I don't know if I should wait. I don't game much anymore but if there's a compelling title or a super detailed new flight sim I might get back into it. Run, jump, shoot doesn't really do it for me. The last game I really liked was Mass Effect 2, but it had more adventure.

 

[spat55]

We don't know if DX 12 will be that good so I wouldn't let that stop me from buying a new card. By the time DX 12 is mainstream I would of thought you would either of upgraded or still be playing on DX 11 for the higher settings.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Dx12 isn't coming until fall 2015 and that's probably only a select few games that are beta implementations. So almost 2 years before dx12 will matter.

It would not have any effect on upgrading right now if it was me.

You will need new hardware to fully support the standard.

 

[Carfax83]

I know GCN Radeons and Nvidia 600+ are supposedly DX12 compatible, but since it's new, how likely do you think it is that there will be features available in DX12 code which will require new hardware?

Everything from Fermi on up will be DX12 compatible on NVidia's side..

But to answer your question, yes, there will definitely be DX12 features that require new hardware. What we've seen so far from DX12 has been the software optimizations brought about by lower level hardware access, much better parallelization and a far less operating overhead than DX11..

DX11 hardware should be able to utilize those software optimizatons. But inevitably DX12 will also bring it's own unique graphical advancements that will require new hardware.

 

[Rezist]

Everything from Fermi on up will be DX12 compatible on NVidia's side..

But to answer your question, yes, there will definitely be DX12 features that require new hardware. What we've seen so far from DX12 has been the software optimizations brought about by lower level hardware access, much better parallelization and a far less operating overhead than DX11..

DX11 hardware should be able to utilize those software optimizatons. But inevitably DX12 will also bring it's own unique graphical advancements that will require new hardware.

Well they've spoken of right. I mean were years away from DX12 titles, most people will have new GPU's by then. Until they actually do it, there may be little for improvements.

 

[bradly1101]

OK. Thanks, that's what I figured. I guess I'll wait until there's something I can't play on a 5850.

 

[Deders]

I presume this means Maxwell will only be DX11 and we'll have to wait for the generation after for DX12 hardware?

 

[toyota]

OK. Thanks, that's what I figured. I guess I'll wait until there's something I can't play on a 5850.

If the rest of your system is as old or older then you are going to need more than just a gpu upgrade anyway.

 

[Pinstripe]

DX12 hardware specific features should be optional for at least the duration of the whole PS4/XB1 generation. DX11_0 feature level will be supported as the minimum for a long time, with some DX12 perks like lower overhead being fully compatible with any DX11 hardware out there.

 

[Pottuvoi]

I presume this means Maxwell will only be DX11 and we'll have to wait for the generation after for DX12 hardware?

If this would be the case we would have to wait ~3? years for the next generation. (in worst case more.. It seems like they go 2 generations with same feature set.)