Are you striving to learn which one is better: DirectX or Vulkan? This is it! Let’s go further through this page and know which one can be the perfect choice for you today.
When launching Baldur’s Gate 3, players are presented with a choice: DirectX 11 or Vulkan. But which API offers superior performance and stability? The default option is DirectX 11, while suggestions from Larian support documents lean towards Vulkan.
To uncover the truth amidst this advice discord, the only solution is to conduct rigorous testing. We’ve meticulously tested both APIs on various systems equipped with Nvidia, Intel, and AMD graphics cards below. Dig in to learn more.
In This Article
Performance Analysis of DirectX 11 & Vulkan: GPU-Limited Scenarios
In scenarios where the graphics processing unit (GPU) is the performance bottleneck (roughly 99% utilization), such as playing at resolutions of 1440p or higher with elevated graphical settings, our findings diverged across different system configurations.
Further is the performance analysis of DirectX 11 and Vulkan in the case of various GPUs, have a look:
- Nvidia GPUs showcased a nearly 8% performance advantage with DirectX 11 over Vulkan.
- AMD GPUs exhibited comparable performance between DirectX 11 and Vulkan.
- Intel GPUs displayed roughly 25% better performance with DirectX 11 compared to Vulkan.
In GPU-limited scenarios, DirectX 11 outperforms Vulkan in terms of performance for Nvidia and Intel GPUs.
CPU-Limited Performance and Dynamic NPC Scenarios Analysis: DirectX 11 Vs. Vulkan
Shifting the focus to central processing unit (CPU) limitations, which are commonly observed at resolutions below 1080p and/or with older CPUs, the results are kind of interesting for DirectX 11 and Vulkan.
In static scenes of NPCs, both AMD and Nvidia GPUs exhibited approximately 21% greater performance with Vulkan over DirectX 11, while Intel GPUs performed 29% better with Vulkan. However, this disparity persisted only in scenes with a low number of characters.
During combat sequences or in densely populated town areas where NPC computations strain the CPU, both Vulkan and DirectX 11 offered similar performance for Nvidia and AMD GPUs.
In this context, DirectX 11 actually took the lead in average frame rates by around 4%. Conversely, Intel GPUs showed Vulkan to be 13% faster in this scenario.
These dynamic scenes with NPCs showed similar frame-time stability for both graphics APIs. Minor disruptions occurred at analogous moments as the area was navigated around NPCs. Notably, our AMD GPU exhibited more variable frame times with both DirectX 11 and Vulkan compared to Nvidia and Intel GPUs. Larger spikes were recorded with the AMD GPU, reaching up to 270ms in Vulkan (versus 27ms for Nvidia and 23ms for Intel) and up to 107ms in DirectX 11 (versus 20ms for Nvidia and 42ms for Intel).
DirectX or Vulkan: Which One is Preferred More?
When considering the overall implications of the findings, DirectX 11 emerges as the preferred choice for most users possessing Nvidia and AMD graphics cards. This particularly holds true for those with contemporary CPUs that meet Baldur’s Gate 3’s recommended specifications.
While Vulkan exhibited improved performance in static scenes with CPU limitations, its comparatively weaker performance in NPC-rich environments raises concerns, making DirectX 11 the more balanced choice.
Furthermore, DirectX 11 offers multiple advantages, including:
- It supports double and triple buffering options effectively, whereas Vulkan presents issues with triple buffering resulting in full-screen tearing.
- It is more stable than Vulkan. Instances of instability were reported while using Vulkan that was absent with DirectX 11, adding to the concerns surrounding Vulkan’s stability.
- While Vulkan could be an option for older CPUs struggling to reach 60fps, the average user would find DirectX 11 to be the optimal choice in terms of performance and stability.
DirectX 11 is preferable in scenarios where the GPU is the limiting factor, and a 60fps target is set. On the other hand, Vulkan could be the better selection when aiming for frame rates exceeding 120fps.
Wrapping Up
There are no discernible differences were identified in graphical options or quality between the two APIs. Their distinctions lie primarily in terms of performance and, potentially, stability. Our exploration of Baldur’s Gate 3’s performance is ongoing, and we hope this preliminary insight into one aspect of PC performance is appreciated.
Path of EX is an open space. Come along if you have any doubts and we will get back to you asap.
