Microsoft has confirmed this week that the new DirectX 11.1 is exclusive to Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system, with Microsoft’s Daniel Moth writing a reply on the Microsoft Answers forum.
Microsoft’s DirectX 11.1 brings with it a wealth of new features and enhancements including parts of the XNA framework, enhanced cooperation between Direct3D, Direct2D, and DirectCompute GPU acceleration models, and a new software rasterizer dubbed WARP.
Key Features of DirectX 11.1
DirectX 11.1 introduces several significant improvements over its predecessor. One of the most notable additions is the integration of parts of the XNA framework, which is a set of tools provided by Microsoft that facilitates video game development and management. This integration allows developers to create more complex and visually stunning games with greater ease.
Another major enhancement is the improved cooperation between Direct3D, Direct2D, and DirectCompute GPU acceleration models. Direct3D is used for rendering three-dimensional graphics, Direct2D is used for two-dimensional graphics, and DirectCompute is used for general-purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPUs). The enhanced cooperation between these models means that developers can now leverage the full power of the GPU more effectively, resulting in better performance and more visually impressive applications.
Additionally, DirectX 11.1 includes a new software rasterizer called WARP (Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform). WARP allows developers to run Direct3D applications on systems without a dedicated GPU by using the CPU to perform the necessary calculations. This means that even users with lower-end hardware can experience improved graphics performance.
Answering a developer’s question about WARP, Microsoft’s Daniel Moth explained:
“DirectX 11.1 is part of Windows 8, just like DirectX 11 was part of Windows 7. DirectX 11 was made available for Vista, but at this point, there is no plan for DirectX 11.1 to be made available on Windows 7. (Aside: REF has also been enhanced with DirectX 11.1 to be a debugging target of Visual Studio 2012).”
Implications for Developers and Users
The exclusivity of DirectX 11.1 to Windows 8 has significant implications for both developers and users. For developers, this means that to take full advantage of the new features and enhancements offered by DirectX 11.1, they will need to develop their applications specifically for Windows 8. This could potentially limit the audience for their applications, as users who are still on older versions of Windows will not be able to benefit from these improvements.
For users, the exclusivity of DirectX 11.1 to Windows 8 means that upgrading to the latest operating system is necessary to experience the latest advancements in graphics technology. This could be a compelling reason for some users to make the switch to Windows 8, especially those who are passionate about gaming or who require the enhanced performance and capabilities for professional applications.
To find out what the new DirectX 11.1 brings to Windows 8, visit the Microsoft website for more information.
Source: Eurogamer
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