what is Vulkan

[Angaar]

what is this launch option (Vulkan)

[esopedantric]

Originally posted by Angaar:

what is this launch option (Vulkan)

It is a way to render the game. It is like direct x or opengl. If you don't know what that is, google it.

[Daddy Kaneki]

Does it make the game look different at all or is it just a behind the scenes type of thing?

[amigastar]

Originally posted by Legion x Cheryl <3:

Does it make the game look different at all or is it just a behind the scenes type of thing?

Behind the scenes. Game should look the same. Its just performance.

[0rang]

Try the default and if you have issues with graphics/performance then try the vulkan one

[yoguhrt]

should the performance in general be better with vulkan or just in certain cases?

[Plop]

I think AMD cards play better with Vulkan? I'm not sure would like to know as well

[tizeY]

Vulkan allows lower lvl api interaction than direct3d based rendering and therefore results in a better performance on multithread based cpu's and amd gpu's more than nvidia's.

Results may vary depending on ur hardware composition but Vulkan on paper should outperform DirectX11 and 12, though i'm not entirely sure if DirectX12 Ultimate will change that.

[kid_zomb]

Originally posted by yoguhrt:

should the performance in general be better with vulkan or just in certain cases?

It depends. If you're not getting perfectly smooth performance using the default DirectX option, we recommend trying the Vulkan option as that may improve performance in some cases. In many cases the difference shouldn't really be noticeable either way, though there should be no harm in trying each option if you're curious -- you might feel a difference one way or the other.

[Ashijo]

Generally Vulkan is better with AMD graphic card and DirectX better on NVidia. Also Vulkan is available on switch and ps not directX.

[Snobby Hobo]

Vulkan is an implementation of a graphics API standard developed by the Kronos group.

It basically allows programmers to tell how to display the things you see on the screen. The API works closely with the driver on your GPU, which in term does the actual work.

Vulkan is well known for being extremely verbose. Adept graphics programmers will be able to leverage the high amount of fidelity to yield performance gain on almost any vendor card.

[Manquito Firefox]

Originally posted by Ashijo:

Generally Vulkan is better with AMD graphic card and DirectX better on NVidia. Also Vulkan is available on switch and ps not directX.

Is there a way to test it? I have a Rx570 so instictively i use the Vulkan one, but tbh, tried both and i cant see difference.

[Krull]

Originally posted by Enzioquias:

Originally posted by Ashijo:

Generally Vulkan is better with AMD graphic card and DirectX better on NVidia. Also Vulkan is available on switch and ps not directX.

Is there a way to test it? I have a Rx570 so instictively i use the Vulkan one, but tbh, tried both and i cant see difference.

This is probably not the best game to test the difference on, considering even a toaster from 2011, like my PC, can run it on maximum graphical settings at 60+ fps.

If you want to test it out, I guess there's two ways to do so:

1. Play a short session with uncapped fps. I generally do not recommend playing with uncapped fps, since you're just putting on more work for the GPU than needed, but for testing purposes, I guess you could make an exception. With uncapped fps, which API results in the averagely highest fps is best. You might even be able to see the difference simply idling in the main menu.
   
2. Play a short session with capped and preferably "locked" fps. Keep a close eye on your GPU temps. At the same level of demand, whichever API results in the lowest temps, without sacrificing performance, should be the best choice.

Measuring fps is the acknowledged way to test gaming performance, but measuring temps in as closed an environment as possible should be an alright indicator as well, except it would probably be less sensitive.

You would very likely see more of a difference with more demanding games than Hades.

[skyline]

Originally posted by corn defender:

If you want to test it out, I guess there's two ways to do so:

1. Play a short session with uncapped fps. I generally do not recommend playing with uncapped fps, since you're just putting on more work for the GPU than needed, but for testing purposes, I guess you could make an exception. With uncapped fps, which API results in the averagely highest fps is best. You might even be able to see the difference simply idling in the main menu.
   
2. Play a short session with capped and preferably "locked" fps. Keep a close eye on your GPU temps. At the same level of demand, whichever API results in the lowest temps, without sacrificing performance, should be the best choice.

this.

vulkan can optimize platform performance at lowest temperatures

raw performance is an enabling function
but low operating temperatures will increase overall reliability

there is no "right answer" to optimizing graphics cost
because the cost function can vary

for example

let video card uncapped performance range between x and y ...
amd_ufps = [x1, y1]; [50...500]
nvidia_ufps = [x2, y2]; [50...500]

where ...
ofps(.) = max(amd_ufps, nvidia_ufps);

and

let video card core temperature range between p and q ...
amd_temp = p; p = [-45...105] deg C
nvidia_temp = q; q = [-45...105] deg C

where ...
otemp(.) = min(amd_temp, nvidia_temp);

then

graphics_performance = f(ofps(.), otemp(.));
= (ofps(.) + otemp(.)) / 2;
= .65*ofps(.)+ otemp(.)*.35;
= etc..