Red Dead Redemption 2 and many other games for PC have two graphics APIs, Vulkan, and DX12. But which one should you choose and what are the differences?
This article is a comparison between Vulkan vs DX12 API. The main goal of this article is to show the advantages and disadvantages of each API and to help you decide which one you should use for your game.
What is Graphics API?
Graphics API is an application programming interface that helps the programmer to use graphics hardware most efficiently.
Graphics API is used to create stunning visuals and animations in games or virtual reality. They are also used for other purposes such as creating digital art, designing and rendering 3D models, and so on.
Graphics API can be broadly classified into two types: low-level Graphics API and high-level Graphics API. Low-level Graphics APIs require more coding but they provide more control over the graphics hardware. High-level Graphics APIs are easier to use but they don’t allow as much control as low-level Graphics APIs do.
What is DirectX (DX)?
DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to a video game’s graphics and sound, such as drawing 3D graphics, handling input from the player, and rendering images onto the screen.
The DirectX API is used by games to render 3D graphics in real-time. It is also used by other types of applications that need to display video or generate audio.
It is a high-level API that provides close access to hardware acceleration and other low-level functionality. It is designed to work with different graphics technologies such as Direct3D, OpenGL, and the Universal Windows Platform (UWP).
The DirectX API was originally released in 1995 as a way for Microsoft to combat the growing market share of OpenGL.
What is Vulkan?
Vulkan is a cross-platform 3D graphics and computes API. Vulkan is designed to provide high-efficiency, cross-platform access to modern GPUs used in a variety of devices from PCs and consoles to mobile phones.
Vulkan is an open standard that provides high-efficiency, cross-platform access to modern GPUs used in a variety of devices from PCs and consoles to mobile phones. Designed for today’s complex, heterogeneous computing environments, its low-level API provides direct access to GPU hardware functionality with minimal overhead.
The goal of Vulkan is to reduce the amount of time it takes for developers to create games and other graphically intense applications. The API was designed to be able to support multiple threads to reduce overhead. This means that it should be easier for developers to make their applications run faster on lower-end computers without sacrificing graphical quality.
Vulkan vs DX12 – Which one should you use?
Almost all the games now include both Vulkan APIs and DirectX 12 APIs in their graphics menu.
Vulkan is a 3D rendering API that provides low-overhead access to the GPU and guarantees better graphics performance. It is an open-source API and is available on all major operating systems.
DX12 is a graphics API by Microsoft and it’s one of the latest APIs for Windows 10. It delivers lower latency, a higher frame rate, and better CPU usage than its predecessor DX11.
There is no visual distinction between Vulkan and DirectX 12 in the games. Only the way they interact with your computer hardware is what makes them different.
Based on the first benchmarks, Vulkan has slightly higher average frame rates (6%), while DX12 provides a smoother overall experience.
DirectX 12 frame rate fluctuations are less severe, so it might feel a little more consistent in practice. Even though benchmarking shows that it is slightly behind Vulkan when it comes to calculating raw frame rates, it is still considerably faster than OpenGL.
If you’re comparing Vulkan Vs Dx12, no matter what game engine you use, and which API is best, the result will be that your games run faster and smoother with DirectX 12. As there is no such extreme difference in frame rates with Vulkan, you can go with DirectX 12 for your games.
However, for some games, the case can be different and let us look at them one by one.
Vulkan vs DX12 for Zombie Army 4
Vulkan and DX12 do not offer much difference if you are using AMD as they provide the same levels of performance rates. However, Vulkan may be a better choice for AMD’s RX 5700 users as it can provide better advantageous performance at 4k.
If you are a Geforce Graphic user, it is better for you to use Vulkan API as it is shown to provide better performance when playing Zombie Army 4. The same is the case for those of you who use Nvidia graphic cards.
Vulkan vs DX12 for Ashes of Singularity
For, the game Ashes of Singularity many gamers recommend using the DX12 API as it is capable of providing better performance. However, this could vary based on your PC’s build.
Those who have tried both DX12 and Vulkan APIs for Ashes of Singularity say that Vulkan only provides half the frame rate that DX12 for Ashes of Singularity game.
Vulkan or DX12 for RDR2
Most gaming fans who experimented with both Vulkan as well as DirectX12, Red Dead Redemption 2 says they didn’t find much visual difference in using either of them.
However, these APIs can create differences in the game’s performance based on the hardware that is used. In this case, while Vulkan was seen to handle multi-core CPU workloads in a better way compared to the older versions of DirectX, it is not better than the newer DX12. So, the latter may be a better choice of API while playing the game.
Vulkan vs DX12 for Dolphin
Using the Vulkan API may be a notch better than DX12 while running games through Dolphin. This may break things at times but still, it is recommended to use Vulkan for better performance.
Vulkan vs DX12 for Evil Genius 2
Using Vulkan or DX12 API while playing the game, Evil Genius 2 depends on the system you are using. If you are playing the game in a system with lower power, Vulkan may be a better API as it can provide a smoother gaming experience than DX12.
However, if you are using a powerful system and you value a top-notch gaming experience, DX12, is the API for you as it provides higher frame rates and better visuals.
Vulkan vs DX12 For Ghost Recon Breakpoint
For the game, Tam Clancy’s Ghost Reckon Breakpoint, Vulkan API may be a better option than DX12 as the former is seen to run faster. This case can especially be noticed in NVIDIA and AMD GPUs.
Vulkan API can also improve the texture and visuals of the game even in lower powerful systems, which can make any gamer happy.
Vulkan vs DX12 for Saints Row
For Saints Row games, the choice of Vulkan or DX12 API must be based on the specs of your system. For spoke especially with not-so-powerful systems, it is better to use Vulkan, and for others with systems having higher specs, DX12 is recommended.
Various exp[erienced gamers, however, recommends using Vulkan even though DX12 API may be recommended for you based on your system. This is because the Vulkan API can provide you with 20 to 30 more fps.
Vulkan vs DX11
Vulkan is a low-overhead, cross-platform API that offers improved graphics performance and reduced CPU overhead. It also supports multiple GPUs, any type of display, and rendering for both desktop and mobile devices.
DX11 is an API created by Microsoft as a successor to DirectX 9. It was released in 2009 and is still the most widely used graphics API among game developers today.
Vulkan provides better performance than DX11 due to its lower overhead. It also has more features that can be used to improve the game’s performance on mobile devices. However, it is not compatible with all the hardware configurations which means that it might not be able to run on some older machines with outdated GPUs or drivers.
Vulkan vs DX12 vs Opengl
Vulkan: It is a low-overhead, cross-platform 3D graphics and computes API that provides high-efficiency, predictable performance. It is designed to take advantage of multiple CPU cores by allowing for multi-threaded command buffer generation and execution.
DX12: It is a low-level, high-performance graphics API for Windows 10. It gives developers more control over CPU usage than DX11 did, which should result in better performance on both AMD and Intel CPUs.
OpenGL: It was created as an alternative to Microsoft’s Windows-only DirectX but now it has been adopted as the primary 3D graphics.
In comparison between Vulkan vs DX12 vs Opengl, still, DX12 will be the better one to choose from.
Vulkan vs DirectX Raytracing
DirectX Raytracing (DXR) is something that comes with DirectX 12 that allows game developers to access compatible raytracing hardware present in the latest graphic cards. Vulkan API is definitely not better than DirectX Raytracing as the latter can handle better GPU workloads compared to the former.
However, Vulkan APIs have now improved themselves and have released Vulkan RayTracing which is on par with DirectX Raytracing.
Conclusion
This article explored the performance difference between the comparison of Vulkan vs DX12 on Red Dead Redemption 2 and other games.
Both graphics APIs are great but DX12 is better than Vulkan for Red Dead Redemption 2, due to its consistent performance and smoother gameplay. Vulkan, however, provides the best frame rates, while DirectX has slightly better overall performance.
FAQ
Should I play Vulkan or DX12?
This is a difficult question to answer, as the answer depends on your hardware. Vulkan is the newer graphics API and DirectX 12 is the older graphics API.
It’s important to know that not all games are compatible with Vulkan, so if you don’t know what your game supports then you should probably go with DirectX 12.
Is Vulkan or DirectX better?
This question is not as simple as it looks. It has to do with the hardware and software that you are using. What is important for you? You need to take into account what you want to achieve and what your needs are.
Is DirectX 12 better than Vulkan for rdr2?
If you want the best performance with low latency and high frame rate then Vulkan would be your best choice.
Is Vulkan faster than DirectX?
With Vulkan, developers can use a single set of commands to control the GPU without the need for a CPU-GPU pipeline. This is what allows it to outperform DirectX.
Vulkan is not just faster than DirectX, it also offers more features and better control over system resources.
Vulkan vs DX12 in Dota 2?
It completely depends upon you, if you want a more power-efficient option, you can choose Vulkan and if you need the best performance you can go with DX12.
Vulkan vs DX12 in Zombie Army 4?
Vulkan is the clear winner in this. We have run multiple tests and Vulkan has outperformed DX12 in many of them.
Is Vulkan or DX12 in Rainbow Six Siege?
You can go with Vulkan over DX12 for Rainbow Six Siege.
For Red Dead Redemption 2: Vulkan vs dx12 Which one is best?
If you want an API with a stable and smoother experience and overall performance then DirectX 12 would be the best choice.
