Run in DX12 for better CPU performance

[EvPointMaster]

Right-click the game in steam
select properties
add "-dx12" to the launch options.

I get around 40% higher framerates with DX12, when CPU bottlenecked.
https://imgur.com/a/j6MrM92

but when GPU bottlencked, DX11 is slightly faster, by about 7%
https://imgur.com/a/T4Okuxs

[Cryiox]

You can actually run this in DX12? The more you know.

[StreamWhenGuy]

https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Darksiders_III
Wow such site exists. Who would've known.

[EvPointMaster]

Originally posted by StreamWhenGuy:

https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Darksiders_III#Launch_options
Wow such site exists. Who would've known.

And if you'd look at the revision history, you'd see that I added that to the wiki just last night.

[EvPointMaster]

Originally posted by Cryiox:

You can actually run this in DX12. The more you know.

You can actually run many Unreal Engine 4 games in DX12 with that command, but not all of them.
Performance differences between DX11 and DX12 heavily depend on the game though.

[StreamWhenGuy]

Yeah I'm pogging out bruh.

Originally posted by EvPointMaster:

And if you'd look at the revision history, you'd see that I added that to the wiki just last night.

[Cryiox]

OK, I've done a few tests.

AMD RX 5700 XT (undervolted to 2000 Mhz / 1100 mV)
Driver Adrenalin 21.5.2
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 stock
2x16 GB DDR4 3200 CL16
W10 21H1


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GPU temperature is based on my fan curve, GPU cooler and case (so mostly take it as fact and observe the difference between APIs)

Game is set to 1080p, High settings, no Vsync (not on EPIC, to enforce a CPU bottleneck if possible), 16xAF forced via .ini, x16 Tessellation Override set in driver/DXVK conf, FPS unlocked to max of 120 fps set via Chill Min/Max in driver. DX12 was achieved via -dx12 Steam launch command // VULKAN was achieved via DXVK Async 1.8.1 with Global Variables + dxvk.conf file


__________________________________________________________


DX11: 84 fps / GPU Load: 88% / GPU Core Clock: ~1830 Mhz / 140 Watt / CPU Load: 17-21% / TJunction temps: 73 C

DX12: 83 fps / GPU Load: 100% / GPU Core Clock: 1928 Mhz / 162 Watt / CPU Load: 19% / TJunction temps: 79 C

VULKAN: 89 fps / GPU Load: 95% / GPU Core Clock: 1930 Mhz / 147 Watt / CPU Load: 21% / TJunction temps: 72 C


__________________________________________________________


TL;DR:
VULKAN via DXVK Async gives: best performance, GPU utilized properly, least temperature, least stutters
DX11: average fps, poor GPU utilization, same power used as VULKAN for less performance, same temperature while given less performance, stutters
DX12: worst performance, worst GPU utilization, worst power used (most power used for the least performance), highest temperature for worst performance / probably still not as few stutters as Vulkan via DXVK.


__________________________________________________________


CONCLUSION:

--- AMD GPUs: use DXVK Async to run the game in VULKAN instead of DirectX11 ---
--- Nvidia GPUs: very high chance DXVK Async will improve performance in this game. Stutters/level loading hitches will DEFINITELY be reduced anyway. Give it a shot ---

[EvPointMaster]

Originally posted by Cryiox:

VULKAN was achieved via DXVK Async 1.8.1 with Global Variables + dxvk.conf file

Is there a tutorial on how to set up DXVK async for windows, so I can also test that?

[Cryiox]

https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/dxvk-1-7-1-a-vulkan-based-translation-layer-for-dx-9-10-11.433720/

This thread explains how to create Global Variables and how to create dxvk.conf.

[Cryiox]

Originally posted by EvPointMaster:

Is there a tutorial on how to set up DXVK async for windows, so I can also test that?

So, how's performance on your end?

[StreamWhenGuy]

I'm yet to test DXVK out as it should be tested, but at the first glance yesterday nothing has changed, at least not significantly. If anything I'd say in some cases the performance was worse. My main complain with the game so far is the annoying level loading stutter, that is all 🤷‍♂️
Ryzen 5 3600, GTX 1660, DDR4 16 GB and the game is on M.2 SSD

[StreamWhenGuy]

Yeah, the performance has definitely degraded for me. Was worth a try though.

[Cryiox]

What about smoothness (frametime consistency), stutters, level load hitches, performance in CPU bound scenarios?

[StreamWhenGuy]

I haven't tested it with a full HUD enabled, only with the FPS counter, but the level loading lag spikes were worse, down to 30 FPS hitches vs. 58 FPS normally. Also in open areas the framerate went down from stable 60 to 52-54 no matter the settings. Was enough for me to switch back to dx11. I played around with DXVK's Vsync and Tessallation control, but nothing changed. Didn't tinker with anything else in the config.

[EvPointMaster]

Originally posted by Cryiox:

So, how's performance on your end?

So far CPU performance is on par with DX11 on my end.

What settings did you use in the dxvk.conf ?

[Cryiox]

No picture available with that link.

Enabled tessellation override to x16
Disabled Vsync

That's it.