Download for DirectX 12: Why You Should Upgrade to the New Standard for Gaming Graphics
What is DirectX 12 and why you should download it
If you are a PC gamer, you have probably heard of DirectX, a suite of technologies developed by Microsoft that enables multimedia applications, especially games, to work directly with your video and audio hardware. DirectX is essential for enhancing your gaming experience, as it allows games to use advanced features such as realistic graphics, immersive sound effects, and fast frame rates.
But did you know that there are different versions of DirectX? And that not all versions are compatible with all games and hardware? In this article, we will focus on one of the latest and most powerful versions of DirectX: DirectX 12. We will explain what it is, what are its features and benefits, how to download and install it, how to check if your PC can run it, how it compares with previous versions and other graphics APIs, and more.
download for directx 12
By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of why DirectX 12 is important for PC gaming and why you should download it right away.
DirectX 12 features and benefits
DirectX DirectX 12 is a low-level API, which means it allows developers to have more control over the hardware and reduce the overhead of the graphics driver. This results in faster and more efficient rendering, as well as better utilization of the CPU and GPU resources. DirectX 12 also supports multi-GPU configurations, which means you can use more than one graphics card to boost your performance.
Parallel compute
One of the key features of DirectX 12 is parallel compute, which means multiple operations can be executed at the same time, improving the efficiency and performance of the games. For example, DirectX 12 can handle graphics and physics calculations simultaneously, or render different parts of the scene in parallel. This reduces the bottlenecks and latency that can occur with traditional graphics APIs.
Ray tracing and variable rate shading
Another feature that makes DirectX 12 stand out is its support for ray tracing and variable rate shading, two advanced techniques that enhance the visual quality and realism of the games. Ray tracing simulates realistic lighting and shadows, by tracing the path of light rays as they bounce off different surfaces. Variable rate shading adjusts the shading rate based on the level of detail required, by applying more or less pixels to different areas of the screen. Both features can improve the performance and efficiency of the games, as well as create stunning effects.
DirectX 12 download and installation
If you are interested in trying out DirectX 12 for yourself, you will need to follow these steps:
How to check your DirectX version
The first thing you need to do is to check which version of DirectX is installed on your PC. To do this, you can use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag), which is a built-in program that comes with Windows. Here is how to use it:
How to install the latest version of DirectX 12
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Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type dxdiag and click OK.
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool window will open. Click on the System tab.
Look for the DirectX Version field. It will show you which version of DirectX is currently installed on your PC.
If you see DirectX 12, then you are good to go. If not, you will need to update your graphics card drivers and download and install DirectX 12.
How to update your graphics card drivers
The next step is to update your graphics card drivers, which are software programs that allow your PC to communicate with your graphics hardware. Having the latest drivers can improve your performance and compatibility with DirectX 12. To update your drivers, you have two options:
You can visit the manufacturer's website of your graphics card (such as Nvidia, AMD, or Intel) and download and install the latest drivers for your specific model.
You can use Windows Update, which will automatically detect and install the latest drivers for your graphics card.
To use Windows Update, follow these steps:
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Check for updates.
If there are any updates available for your graphics card, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.
How to download and install DirectX 12
The final step is to download and install DirectX 12, which is available from the official Microsoft website. To do this, follow these steps:
Go to this link: [Download DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Official Microsoft Download Center]
Click on Download.
Run the dxwebsetup.exe file that you downloaded.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded and installed DirectX 12 on your PC. You can now enjoy its features and benefits with compatible games.
If you encounter any problems with downloading or installing DirectX 12, you can try some of these troubleshooting steps:
Make sure you have enough disk space on your PC.
Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
Make sure you have administrator privileges on your PC.
Make sure you have closed any other programs that might interfere with the installation.
Make sure you have restarted your PC after installing DirectX 12.
DirectX DirectX 12 compatibility and requirements
Before you can enjoy DirectX 12, you need to make sure that your PC meets the compatibility and requirements for it. Here are some things you need to check:
Which operating systems support DirectX 12
Not all operating systems support DirectX 12. You will need to have one of the following operating systems to use DirectX 12:
Windows 10: This is the first and most common operating system that supports DirectX 12. You will need to have the latest version of Windows 10, which is the May 2021 Update (version 21H1).
Windows 11: This is the newest and most advanced operating system from Microsoft, which will be released in late 2021. It will also support DirectX 12, as well as some exclusive features such as DirectX 12 Ultimate and Auto HDR.
Windows Server 2016: This is an operating system designed for servers and data centers, which also supports DirectX 12. However, it is not recommended for gaming purposes.
If you have an older operating system, such as Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1, you will not be able to use DirectX 12. You will need to upgrade your operating system to Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Which graphics cards support DirectX 12
Another thing you need to check is your graphics card, which is the hard