DirectX 12 will be exclusive to Windows 10

[Scorpus]

Earlier today, Microsoft unleashed a ton of new Windows 10 information, including numerous gaming features such as the ability to stream Xbox One games to Windows 10 devices. DirectX 12 was also mentioned at the event, with Microsoft claiming the new API would deliver up to 50 percent better performance than DirectX 11.

What wasn't mentioned at the event was who would get DirectX 12, but that didn't stop the folks at Rock Paper Shotgun from asking. Microsoft told them that DirectX 12 would only work with Windows 10, so anyone who doesn't upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 (both of which currently support DirectX 11) will be left out.

This doesn't come as a massive surprise considering new revisions of DirectX are usually launched with new versions of Windows, and aren't typically ported to older OSes. Occasionally Microsoft has released a new version of DirectX on older platforms, but it usually takes many months. As Windows 10 is a completely free upgrade to anyone who does so in the first year, Microsoft has no reason to backport DirectX 12 to Windows 8.1 or earlier.

As was revealed early last year, it was also confirmed that some DirectX 12 features would require next-generation graphics cards. What 'next-gen' means in this case is still unclear, though it's already known that Maxwell-based cards from Nvidia support DirectX 12, and we expect that some of the newer revisions of AMD's GCN architecture will also be fully supported.

The good news is that the main feature of DirectX 12 - lower-level abstraction for closer to the metal access of GPU hardware - will be available to nearly all current generation graphics cards. You won't have to upgrade just yet to enjoy that particular DirectX 12 benefit.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/59478-directx-12-exclusive-windows-10.html

 

[cliffordcooley]

What a shocker! Seriously, did anyone expect differently?

 

[Guest]

Nice

 

[davislane1]

What a shocker! Seriously, did anyone expect differently?

I had no expectation. Do I count?

 

[captaincranky]

I had no expectation. Do I count?

It would seem not, at least as far as Cliff is concerned.

 

[ChuckyDhaBeast]

Who cares.
We can all upgrade to win 10 for free anyway.
It's a win/win in my opinion.
If you're still on xp or vista, then your PC probably sucks too much anyway.

 

[captaincranky]

Who cares.
We can all upgrade to win 10 for free anyway.
It's a win/win in my opinion.
If you're still on xp or vista, then your PC probably sucks too much anyway.

My XP PC isn't as self important as yours, that 's a certainty.

 

[BlueDrake]

Who cares.
We can all upgrade to win 10 for free anyway.
It's a win/win in my opinion.
If you're still on xp or vista, then your PC probably sucks too much anyway.

Best to keep your Win 7 / Win 8 keys, if you do wipe your prior OS. You might want to return if it's not up to par, or full of problems you can't cope with on a daily basis. IE: Your jobs might require something specific, or there's just something that doesn't work regardless without a fix.

Best common knowledge, but many disregard it without a second thought. Then you hear the cries of frustration, I'll let others test the OS before I take the leap. DX12 isn't the be all, end all that everything will use right away. So I find less actual need for an OS change, when nothing is really important in the upgrade.

You have a year to upgrade, so use that time to poke around? Test it out if you want, and make a decision if need be. Also I'd rather XP over Vista, it took me a while to jump onto Win 7. Seeing the floundering issues of Win 8 / 8.1, and not wanting extra tools to fix what shouldn't be broken. Personal preference.

 

[dividebyzero]

What a shocker! Seriously, did anyone expect differently?

Bit of a non-issue really. The GPU vendors - the ones pushing for DX12, are also the ones lobbying hard for DX 11.3 ( the API that is exactly the same as DX12 minus the CPU overhead reduction) to be included with Win7 and 8, which seems to be moving in that direction.

DX12 isn't the be all, end all that everything will use right away.

It probably won't even appear in any significant application for a year.
Unless you have the combination of a processor with weak FPU capability, average (or below) graphics, are using Win7/8, PC game, have a desperate need for a few percentage points extra in performance, and don't have the option of Mantle you should be relatively well covered.

My XP PC isn't as self important as yours, that 's a certainty.

The Lesser Spotted Quiet Achiever....virtually extinct in the wild (of the Web)

 

[Night Hacker]

They've been referring to Windows 10 as a "service" which concerns me a little. Whenever I get something for "free" I enter into my Homer Simpson mode "but what will it cost"? What's the catch? Why are they calling it a "service"? Will this service end up costing some sort of fee in the future, perhaps an annual fee or something, and if so, how much?

I'm VERY skeptical when anyone offers me something for free, sort of like a stranger pulling up with their van next to a child and offering them free candy...

 

[drjekelmrhyde]

They've been referring to Windows 10 as a "service" which concerns me a little. Whenever I get something for "free" I enter into my Homer Simpson mode "but what will it cost"? What's the catch? Why are they calling it a "service"? Will this service end up costing some sort of fee in the future, perhaps an annual fee or something, and if so, how much?

I'm VERY skeptical when anyone offers me something for free, sort of like a stranger pulling up with their van next to a child and offering them free candy...

They are trying to get you tied into OneDrive, Video, Music, and Office. Willing to bet they will have a bunch of sales on those things right after W10 comes out. They almost got me with Music when the free holiday specials during November till December 20ish

 

[davislane1]

I'm VERY skeptical when anyone offers me something for free, sort of like a stranger pulling up with their van next to a child and offering them free candy...

Doesn't happen anymore. Last kid to get snatched like that had to cover the cost of the candy and pay the driver a commission for the getaway. Tough times.

Who cares.
We can all upgrade to win 10 for free anyway.
It's a win/win in my opinion.
If you're still on xp or vista, then your PC probably sucks too much anyway.

Windows XP (and 7) is one of the few MS operating systems reliable and functional enough to be considered worth it's weight.

Thus, we have a win/lose scenario: stick with XP/7 or download a headache.

 

[yRaz]

What is it that everyone finds so repulsive about windows 10 that they're afraid the world is coming to an end? I rather like w10 and am looking forward to using it

 

[dividebyzero]

What is it that everyone finds so repulsive about windows 10 that they're afraid the world is coming to an end?

I heard from a source that Win10 is the delivery method by which the alien reptile + Illuminati conspiracy will ensure total control. Touch screen tiles will have embedded DNA readers, and failure to pay a weekly ransom subscription fee will land people in FEMA detention camps. Since other OS options don't exist, and unplugging from the computer will lead to death from acute gossip/sports/porn/social network site withdrawal, this next step in our dystopian future is all but assured. I'm sorry, but I couldn't find out step 2 because the men in black (oddly dressed in white) whisked him away during his investigation of a dumpster.

 

[Ranger1st]

Game companies are barely out of DX9c , few are DX11 and most of those are cause for external downloads and other packages to make DX11 worthwhile. and how long has DX11 been out? .. I'll worry about DX12 in 4-5 years when game companies get around to using it.

 

[captaincranky]

What is it that everyone finds so repulsive about windows 10 that they're afraid the world is coming to an end? I rather like w10 and am looking forward to using it

As I understand the term, "update" as it has always attached to Windows, you lose your original license when you install the new version. So, you have XP, and you "upgrade to Vista", you no longer have an XP license. You surely don't have 2 licenses. So, while "free" Windows 10 seems like a good idea, M$ pulls the plug on millions of current 7 & 8 versions they then no longer have to offer support for.

If that doesn't sound like, "bait and switch", very little does.

Because, you can't can't turn back or linger on an old, but still serviceable, copy of Windows they can't take away from you, when you've just handed it to them on a silver platter.

 

[yRaz]

As I understand the term, "update" as it has always attached to Windows, you lose your original license when you install the new version. So, you have XP, and you "upgrade to Vista", you no longer have an XP license. You surely don't have 2 licenses. So, while "free" Windows 10 seems like a good idea, M$ pulls the plug on millions of current 7 & 8 versions they then no longer have to offer support for.

If that doesn't sound like, "bait and switch", very little does.

Because, you can't can't turn back or linger on an old, but still serviceable, copy of Windows they can't take away from you, when you've just handed it to them on a silver platter.

So I guess I'm one of the only people that planned on paying for Windows?

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Well MS are apparently going to throw a free copy of 10 in the faces of us legit 7 & 8 users so DX12 should make no nevermind to us apart from a card upgrade one of these days. DX11.1 means absolutely nothing to me at the moment even though I have it and a compatible GFX card, I've never seen it in action (DX11.1 that is)

 

[money]

Up to 50 percent better performance than DirectX 11.. wrote the marketing department employee Jack as he was creating the powerpoint presentation.

 

[captaincranky]

So I guess I'm one of the only people that planned on paying for Windows?

Paying for a Windows 10 license outright doesn't seem like a bad idea at all. In fact, that's the only way I'd consider moving to it.

There's does seem to big a large undercurrent of people who think M$ is doling out largesse by having them surrender their current licenses. Which I think is illogical, if not foolhardy.

ATM, I would consider buying a copy of Windows 10, once, (and when), I see how Intel's "Skylake" , along with SSD, will cost and perform. Those 3 factors together might convince me to crack out a credit card, a screwdriver, the anti-static wrist strap, and give myself the gift of yet another computer. (Instead of the more recently customary interchangeable lens, camera body, or new guitar). That's what happens when you get old. You find yourself stuck in the Ivy Bridge era, with an ever expanding bucket list.

If there's any mumbling about Windows becoming a subscription "service", the next build would be with the sealed copy of Windows 7, that's sitting here all alone, waiting for a PC to 'mount'.

Anyway, being a miserable, ill tempered, off putting old man, I'd teach 'Cortana' to tell me, "no need to leave the money on the dresser sweetie, tonight was on the house".

Or maybe, "I'm in no hurry to get married".

 

[Guest]

Windows 7 and DX11 do everything or more what I want in the next 10 years. Nobody will remember for W10 and DX12 in 2025.

 

[yRaz]

Paying for a Windows 10 license outright doesn't seem like a bad idea at all. In fact, that's the only way I'd consider moving to it.

There's does seem to big a large undercurrent of people who think M$ is doling out largesse by having them surrender their current licenses. Which I think is illogical, if not foolhardy.

ATM, I would consider buying a copy of Windows 10, once, (and when), I see how Intel's "Skylake" , along with SSD, will cost and perform. Those 3 factors together might convince me to crack out a credit card, a screwdriver, the anti-static wrist strap, and give myself the gift of yet another computer. (Instead of the more recently customary interchangeable lens, camera body, or new guitar). That's what happens when you get old. You find yourself stuck in the Ivy Bridge era, with an ever expanding bucket list.

If there's any mumbling about Windows becoming a subscription "service", the next build would be with the sealed copy of Windows 7, that's sitting here all alone, waiting for a PC to 'mount'.

Anyway, being a miserable, ill tempered, off putting old man, I'd teach 'Cortana' to tell me, "no need to leave the money on the dresser sweetie, tonight was on the house".

Or maybe, "I'm in no hurry to get married".

Bravo, Cranky

 

[gunste24]

Will tthey come to their senses and present Control Panel as a simple list, like I was in Windows XP? No, I suspect they are enamored of their Windows 8.1 format, a useless time waster.

 

[turismozilla]

Their subtle attempts to make me feel I have no choice but to buy their stuff if I want to maximize the experience with a given game shall be faced with my reluctance to do so, instead I shall find a way to get the goodies for free. I believe from Vista through 10 we have a family of operating systems that are at the core the same kind of thing, so an argument such as DirectX 12 can only work with Windows 10 is a bullshit greedy strategy to get people to think they have to shell out yet a little more.

 

[cliffordcooley]

I believe from Vista through 10 we have a family of operating systems that are at the core the same kind of thing, so an argument such as DirectX 12 can only work with Windows 10 is a bullshit greedy strategy to get people to think they have to shell out yet a little more.

I would be willing to pay for a Windows 7 update that includes DX12, just so I don't have to change to a flat user interface. But they don't seem to want that type of business model.