The more I hear about DirectX 12, the more I consider it the holy grail of APIs. The upcoming upgrade with Windows 10 is already making waves for all the right reasons, especially after it was revealed that multi-card GPU solutions would no longer be bad at math. Memory can now be stacked with the new API behind it, meaning SLI and CrossFire configurations can stare the future in the eye without a fear. But imagine, for a second, using AMD and Nvidia cards together – because that could happen too.
According to a new report regarding DX12, the API will feature support for multi-GPU configurations between red and green hardware. That essentially means that you can take the very best from Nvidia, and the very best of AMD, and smash it all into one desktop. That puts an end to arguments over exclusive features between the two, as they can finally be shared. Do you like ShadowPlay but want TrueAudio or FreeSync? That’s a possibility now, instead of a wild dream.
While DX12 might allow for such configurations to exists, it ultimately comes down to two deciding factors. Firstly, everything is let up to developers to make possible. In the same way that memory pools will have to be optimised for stacking, developers will have to specifically code solutions for AMD X Nvidia hardware – something which could be far too niche for the time it requires.
It’s also going to be interesting to see how the card manufacturer’s themselves respond to this. Will either of them try to block this functionality through drivers? It’s not too unbelievable considering Nvidia did just that with their cards and PhysX – barring the use of a dedicated PhysX card being used in tandem with another AMD GPU. I would think that technology like this poses a threat to both sides, as consumers can mix and match cards as they please for custom performances.
Still, the fact that DirectX 12 allows for this is simply mind blowing. It could mean a far more interesting future for both laptops and desktops, as graphical power is no longer imprisoned behind impenetrable walls that the rest of the system can’t really use.
Last Updated: February 25, 2015
Admiral Chief
February 25, 2015 at 10:03
Wow, WHAT YEAR IS IT is kinda done in reverse here.
I’m still saying DX12 is going to be legendary
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 10:05
I bet @LlewellynCrossley:disqus has two GTX 970s next to each other.
Admiral Chief
February 25, 2015 at 10:06
I thought he had 7?
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 10:06
3.5 gig + 3.5 gig
Admiral Chief
February 25, 2015 at 10:07
But of course
Lothy
February 25, 2015 at 10:26
haha that burn!
But perhaps something like this will do away with that issue with the 970? Again though the software would need to know that it mustn’t access that set of memory blocks. Soon with mixing of the brands ppl will start talking about team yellow.
Ranting Raptor
February 25, 2015 at 10:29
I WISH I had 2x 970’s.
Victor "Vicky" Moolman
February 25, 2015 at 10:57
I would be happy with 1 nvm 2
Ranting Raptor
February 25, 2015 at 11:56
Indeed
Admiral Chief
February 25, 2015 at 10:06
As I’ve said before, if MS can pull these few things off, say goodbye to the PS market
– DX12 done properly (30% increase in performance as stated)
– Cross platform play between EDE and PC
– Streaming between EDE and PC
Brady miaau
February 25, 2015 at 10:38
I am extremely interested in seeing this in action
HvR
February 25, 2015 at 11:09
I’m carefully optimistic (have yet to experience a DX that even came close to meeting expectations).
But will probably determine if I go next gen console or full on PC gaming again.
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 25, 2015 at 10:14
I guess Nvidia won’t be keen. Never mind them having the dominant market position, they’re also fascinated with proprietary solutions.
Ranting Raptor
February 25, 2015 at 10:28
“mix and mach ”
http://www.kbvp.com/sites/default/files/images/F18F%20pushing%20the%20mach_0.preview.jpg
Ranting Raptor
February 25, 2015 at 10:30
So is memory stacking a definite confirmed feature now? As in set in stone it’s happening?
This is making me super excited…. My current SLI 560Ti setup but with 2GB of VRAM? Be still my beating heart 0_0
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 10:41
Really looking forward to GDC to hear more about the impact DirectX 12 will have on the Xbox One specifically. MS has been downplaying up until now not wanting to over promise and under deliver like Sony. A 30% increase in performance is very significant indeed! Xbox was launched too early, it was designed with DirectX 12 in mind from day one! I think 1st party developers will have a ball! Will also be interesting to see how multiplat games developed on supported engines run on both console platforms! Good and exciting times to be an Xbox One owner! ????
Mike
February 25, 2015 at 12:36
It feels like I made a good investment on the XB1. I did it with the knowledge of Microsoft trying to converge their platforms and I simply hoped it would work out the way I wanted it to. It’s great to see it happening this way and to this extent!
Brady miaau
February 25, 2015 at 16:02
I bought purely for the Kinect. Ok, and because I wanted a media system. And I wanted to play games. Hmm, seems well suited.
lygamnt
February 25, 2015 at 16:30
Exciting time to be a gamer in general…
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 16:34
True, PC gamers will benefit the most out of DirectX 12.
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 10:43
I’ll have one Xbox Burger and fries with that thank you! ????????
HvR
February 25, 2015 at 11:07
That is quite a small burger to be called an Xbox One burger
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 25, 2015 at 11:17
Also, why does the wrapper say chicken when the one displayed is beef. Another 180!
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 11:27
Also how are you supposed to command the Kinect with a mouth full of food. They really didn’t think this through
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 25, 2015 at 11:53
What happens when you try & start choking? Hopefully they’ve programmed it to recognise that as part of their health initiative. It can snap to a handy first aid website.
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 11:54
ROFL!
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 11:29
Because the one displayed is a beef burger and the one in the wrapper is a chicken burger? LOL!
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 11:44
I bet they even give you Sprite instead of Coke 😛
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 12:44
Pfft Sprite, Mountain Dew OBVIOUSLY! ????
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 13:05
lol my mistake
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 25, 2015 at 11:51
IT’S A CONSPIRACY! Also, why are they using green paper? Is it because they’re energy efficient & therefore low-fat burgers? I WANT ALL THE FAT!
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 11:22
Also no fries
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 11:25
Look again….????
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 11:26
nope
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 12:17
Now?
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 12:32
Is it that blurry cloud top left?
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 12:37
Your judgement is clearly clouded by all the Sony PR, but YES, congratulations you finally got it! See, it was as easy as pinning a tail to a pony…..????
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2015 at 12:44
The power of teh cloudz blinded me. ????
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 12:47
I know it can be overwhelming but we Xbox owners are used to it by now! Maybe one day Sony will also figure out how to cloud! ????
Joe Black
February 25, 2015 at 11:08
I have changed from somebody interested in beast machines to being more in favor of the simplest solution that works. A hardware smorgasbords does not do it for me any more. It started some time after building my first mega machine – I got jaded by the result and the cost of the experience.
Now my hope is pinned on system on a chip solutions. And when I see the amazing work AMD is doing on the “old” 28nm processes then I believe the answer is elegance, not brute force and hardware decadence.
I cannot wait to build my first one chip solution that is both efficient and powerful. I have high hopes for 2016.
Ranting Raptor
February 25, 2015 at 11:55
The big problem with one chip solutions is upgradeability. Tech moves fast and sometimes one needs to upgrade. One chip solutions aren’t that great for that. Not if you are an enthusiast anyway.
Regular users would, however, benefit tremendously from a single chip solution
Joe Black
February 25, 2015 at 12:39
Meh… The ‘quick upgrades you mention’ on the enthusiast level will set you back a grand or two a pop generally. But yeah – I am no longer really an enthusiast of extreme performance personal computing. Don’t get me wrong. I have a nice beefy i5, 16GB good RAM, a good SSD and a 280x – I still like to play my games at decent settings – But dual+ graphics cards, 3 screens, 4 HD raid setups, etc… make me cringe a bit.
Ranting Raptor
February 25, 2015 at 13:12
And for your situation it seems a single chip would be great. I’d hate it haha. I need to be able to pull a machine apart, put it together and then have an option to upgrade if I want. I’m no enthusiast however
lygamnt
February 25, 2015 at 16:36
But also remember with some AMD APU’s they can work in tandem with a compatible Graphics card, And quality and speed of RAM could also help expand functionality to..
Joe Black
February 26, 2015 at 21:06
Those are very capable gaming PCs yeah. Especially coupled with a 1360×768 resolution monitor and some fast RAM (It’s almost magical). They can play any modern title I know of at beyond godlike settings at that resolution so why they are not in absolutely every single low resolution laptop in the world beats the hell out of me, maybe power consumption… Expect great things from Carrizo in that segment.
A little sad that, with LCD/LED monitor resolution scaling what it is, if this was still the age of the CRT then APUs would be rocking the socks.
Joe Black
February 26, 2015 at 20:57
Yeah I used to love it too 🙂
L337J1MB0B
February 25, 2015 at 11:41
DirectX fuck you Sony 12.
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2015 at 12:16
Hahaha!
shadus
February 25, 2015 at 20:35
Does the idea of putting an Nvidia Gpu and amd gpu in the same computer sound like putting a cat and dog in a 4×4 room and hoping they don’t kill each other to anybody other then me?