Does running DirectX12 require a new GPU?

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Sicariis

Sicariis

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Jan 4, 2013
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I was prepared to buy a GTX 770 as an upgrade from my GTX 660 when I heard about Microsoft's announcement. Does a new DirectX mean I should hold off?
 
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bison88

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May 24, 2009
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Yes it would require a new GPU and possibly a new OS with the way MS does things. Unless Microsoft was just "coincidently" building a low-level API around the same time that AMD was working on Mantle, then I highly doubt any GPU released this year from either Nvidia or AMD will feature DX12. Top on another 1-2 years after that before we start really seeing games take advantage of it. I think you're safe to buy now.

I should note that DirectX always has backwards compatibility so you will be able to run DX12 games just fine 99% of the time. Developers aren't stupid.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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I agree, you are safe.

What's interesting, is I didn't hear ANYTHING about a "DX12" API until Mantle came out. All of a sudden people are like "Mantle rocks and is closer to metal. blah. blah." which is true once the bugs are ironed out.

Then all of a sudden Microsoft has a new API coming soonish? Really?

To be fair, it MAY have been in the works anyway as the XBOX ONE supporting DX11 has been known for a while so modifying the closer-to-metal XB1 DirectX API wouldn't be too hard.

The problem that crops up is GPU compatibility though. You have to draw a line and say "these old cards don't work" such as pre-GTX600 and pre-HD7000.

As said though, this is basically academic as GAME DEVS can't afford to come out with games which support only the latest cards. Just look at ANY game on the market today for the minimum specs.
 
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robirobi

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May 20, 2013
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I wouldn't hold off, it will take ages till DX12 is out.
 
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leeb2013

leeb2013

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caj

caj

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Jun 27, 2013
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What rubbish? Who sed direct x has backwards compatability and he can run directx 12 games with dx 9 or 11 cards. A dx 12 requires a dx 12 certified gpu which hasny been releases yet. Backwards comptability ony lies with a dx 12 card able to run dx 9- 11 games. Doesnt mean a dx 9 can run dx 10 or dx 11 games unless the games was also designed using dx 9
 
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leeb2013

leeb2013

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Aug 5, 2013
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I dunno, who said that?
 
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