DirectX9 vs DirectX11

[The Renderer]

So I've tried both and the only thing I notice is that (even though both run at 60fps according to the Steam overlay) DX9 seems somehow smoother, with DX11 being barely noticably choppy while moving.

So is there any reason to run DX11? Does it look better? I didn't notice any difference but I only ran around in Devil's Crossing, so maybe other parts or stuff like particle effects look better?

Does anyone know what the difference actually is?

(In case you want to try it out: Add /d3d9 to the launch options in Steam to make it run in DX9).

[anachoret]

What graphics card?

[The Renderer]

I got a GTX 970.

[anachoret]

I have a GTX 580 3GB on pcie x16 2.0, and while my vsync/fullscreen framerates aren't always rock-solid, most of the time Fraps reports a running FPS value of 59-60. But when the character is in motion the background parts of the world sort of visually stutter by piecemeal instead of moving fluidly a lot of the time. It is most noticeable when the camera is zoomed out and running past a vertical pillar or statue.

[The Renderer]

Originally posted by anachoret:

I have a GTX 580 3GB on pcie x16 2.0, and while my vsync/fullscreen framerates aren't always rock-solid, most of the time Fraps reports a running FPS value of 59-60. But when the character is in motion the background parts of the world sort of visually stutter by piecemeal instead of moving fluidly a lot of the time. It is most noticeable when the camera is zoomed out and running past a vertical pillar or statue.

Yeah, that's what I meant by choppy movement. It doesn't happen with DX9 for me, though. Maybe try it out.

Edit: Still looking for an answer to the question: What actually is the difference between DX9 and DX11, visually?

[urielejh]

dx11 way smoother, no slow-downs, better min. same with x64 even tho' to a less extent (faster loadings among enhancements)

[urielejh]

Originally posted by The Renderer:

Originally posted by anachoret:

I have a GTX 580 3GB on pcie x16 2.0, and while my vsync/fullscreen framerates aren't always rock-solid, most of the time Fraps reports a running FPS value of 59-60. But when the character is in motion the background parts of the world sort of visually stutter by piecemeal instead of moving fluidly a lot of the time. It is most noticeable when the camera is zoomed out and running past a vertical pillar or statue.

Yeah, that's what I meant by choppy movement. It doesn't happen with DX9 for me, though. Maybe try it out.

Edit: Still looking for an answer to the question: What actually is the difference between DX9 and DX11, visually?

there's no visual change. dx11 is much more multi-threaded so, in theory, smoother gameplay, better mins.. like d3 dx9 vs dx11 (huge improvements)

[powbam]

I tried to find a definitive "article" on the topic but it wasn't quite that simple I guess.. or I missed it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=dx9+vs+dx11

This forum thread might help somewhat though..
https://www.eightforums.com/threads/directx-9-to-directx-11-which-runs-better.58841/

To clarify..

DirectX is about improving multimedia to include games, videos, and audio - DirectX 11

Your DX modes also depends on not only the game, but the video card and OS - see step 6 of my guide here: Tips on Troubleshooting Game Issues.

Also, the higher the DX mode, the harder your system is tasked due to the increased textures (higher resolution) of the game, and this can have a huge impact on frame rates. This is where system build/components comes into play. Example higher end video cards tends to handle DX11 games more easily then mid to low end video cards. Same with system - a higher end system will perform better than a low to mid level system.

With today's systems being much more advanced than their predecessors were when DX9 was released there is somewhat of a "leveling" effect going on here. In other words today's systems are much more powerful and capable of handling more advanced multimedia (including games), and therefore require a more advanced DirectX API (Application Programming Interface). This is the reason for DX11, and the move towards DX12.

Yes, DX11 can task a system, but if the system is relatively new and upper mid level, this shouldn't be a problem. The problem comes in when trying to game with mid to low level systems/video cards. This is where you take a performance hit via frame rates. In this instance your can lower your DX mode, but at the cost of image quality - what most refer to as eye candy.

Hope this provides a better understanding.

Peace :cool:

[The Renderer]

Well, powbam, I am specifically looking for the difference in Grim Dawn. I do know (roughly) the difference in general but of course it all depends on how any given game makes actual use of the DX features. If you use none of the DX11 ones then going to DX11 from DX9 won't make any difference visually. Question is what the devs did here.

DX11 is not inherently faster than DX9 and it has nothing to do with multithreading. Not sure what you mean about "better mins", UrieleJH.


Also, if there was a way to get rid of that annoying choppy scrolling in DX11 I wouldn't even have to care and could just use that. ;)

[powbam]

Originally posted by The Renderer:

Well, powbam, I am specifically looking for the difference in Grim Dawn.

As for in what way GD specifically utilizes it.. might need a more informed "Crate" rundown on that. Best I could do on short notice ;)

[The Renderer]

Originally posted by powbam:

Originally posted by The Renderer:

Well, powbam, I am specifically looking for the difference in Grim Dawn.

As for in what way GD specifically utilizes it.. might need a more informed "Crate" rundown on that. Best I could do on short notice ;)

Yeah, thought maybe someone would know around here. I appreciate you taking the time to post all that info, though!


And now the good news: I got rid of the choppy scrolling. Did some more tests and it turns out switching to "borderless windowed" (instead of "fullscreen") removes it for me even in DX11 mode. Yay! Maybe this also works for others with the same problem (like anachoret above).

[powbam]

Originally posted by The Renderer:

Originally posted by powbam:

As for in what way GD specifically utilizes it.. might need a more informed "Crate" rundown on that. Best I could do on short notice ;)

Yeah, thought maybe someone would know around here. I appreciate you taking the time to post all that info, though!

I did put the question out to one of the devs for ya so hopefully he replies back on it.. let ya know if/when he responds.

[The Renderer]

Originally posted by powbam:

Originally posted by The Renderer:

Yeah, thought maybe someone would know around here. I appreciate you taking the time to post all that info, though!

I did put the question out to one of the devs for ya so hopefully he replies back on it.. let ya know if/when he responds.

Oh, thanks, that would be nice. As I said, I found a workaround for my problem, but I'd still be interested to learn what the difference is.

[anachoret]

I have tried borderless window before, and it does sometimes smooth out background motion, or at least smoother than vertical sync. The downside is the horrific screen tearing and screen warbling and graphics card trying to meltdown. In borderless, Fraps reports around 80-90 FPS.

[The Renderer]

Originally posted by anachoret:

I have tried borderless window before, and it does sometimes smooth out background motion, or at least smoother than vertical sync. The downside is the horrific screen tearing and screen warbling and graphics card trying to meltdown.

Hmm. I use borderless window AND vertical sync and it works fine. Smooth 60fps, no tearing. Sorry if it doesn't work for you.

[anachoret]

I am unclear when vsync works for borderless windows and when it doesn't. I am on Windows 7 with (I think) the Aero window manager turned off.