DirectX* 12 Collaboration with Microsoft

By Randi Rost,

Published:03/02/2015   Last Updated:03/02/2015

Today at GDC 2015, Intel showed demos running on Intel hardware using the new DirectX* 12 API from Microsoft. These demonstrations continue the recent Intel dedication to show support for a new API version from the moment it is announced.

Intel has been collaborating with Microsoft on the design of DirectX 12 since its inception. This API is designed from the ground up for modern integrated designs, such as the 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor with Iris™ graphics. By enabling improved performance and power efficiency, DirectX 12 will support breakthrough user experiences on Intel Iris-powered Ultrabooks™, portable All-in-Ones (portable AIO), and high performance desktops.

In addition to its work with Microsoft, Intel has been working with leading developers to optimize performance and quality of DirectX 12-enabled content on Iris graphics. Today’s demonstrations were shown on a GIGABYTE BRIX* Pro with the 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor and Iris™ Pro graphics including:

  • UE4 Matinee*, the tool that Epic’s Unreal engine uses for creating in-game cinematics. Intel is demonstrating a fight scene authored in Matinee, demonstrating support for cutting edge game engines and rendering techniques.
  • Unity's Viking Village, a demo authored in the latest version of Unity* 5 showing support for cutting edge game engines which provide the backbone for thousands of games. Viking Village contains several log Viking houses in a fishing town on the water. The demo showcases both an FPS walkthrough mode as well as an automatic flythrough.

DirectX 12 marks an important milestone for developers. It allows game developers to unlock the potential of devices powered by Intel graphics. 4th Gen Intel Core™ processors are ready to support DirectX 12 game titles the moment they are launched. Let the DirectX 12 games begin!


Sample frames from Unity* Viking Village.


Sample frame from UE4 Matinee*

Product and Performance Information

1

Intel's compilers may or may not optimize to the same degree for non-Intel microprocessors for optimizations that are not unique to Intel microprocessors. These optimizations include SSE2, SSE3, and SSSE3 instruction sets and other optimizations. Intel does not guarantee the availability, functionality, or effectiveness of any optimization on microprocessors not manufactured by Intel. Microprocessor-dependent optimizations in this product are intended for use with Intel microprocessors. Certain optimizations not specific to Intel microarchitecture are reserved for Intel microprocessors. Please refer to the applicable product User and Reference Guides for more information regarding the specific instruction sets covered by this notice.

Notice revision #20110804

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