3DMark API Overhead Feature Test - Early DX12 Performance

Late last week Microsoft approached me to see if I would be interested in working with them and with Futuremark on the release of the new 3DMark API Overhead Feature Test. Of course I jumped at the chance, with DirectX 12 being one of the hottest discussion topics among gamers, PC enthusiasts and developers in recent history. Microsoft set us up with the latest iteration of 3DMark, the latest DX12-ready drivers from AMD, NVIDIA and Intel and off we went.

First we need to discuss exactly what the 3DMark API Overhead Feature Test is and also, what it is not. The feature test will be a part of the next revision of 3DMark likely shipping in time with the full Windows 10 release. Futuremark claims it is the "world's first independent" test that allows you to compare the performance of three different APIs: DX12, DX11 and even Mantle.

[pcper]

DirectX 12 looks like it can fundamentally change the platform bottleneck for gaming going forward. This feature test is a good preview of how it works.

[kevinsdb]

Windows 10 and DX12 are looking very promising for PC gaming. Finally PC is getting the respect/attention it deserves from Microsoft.

[Lionheart]

Thanks for adding the APU's in there, just interesting to see :)

[Berserkism]

PC taking off the the ankle weights. ....and the blind fold.
Now if only devs will stop giving PC sloppy console ports.

[SillentStriker]

Used the benchmark, or test, with a FX-8350 at stock 4.0GHz, got this:
Single Core: 608 612 draw Calls per second
Multi-Threaded: 589 193 Draw Calls per second (tested this multiple times but the value hover around 585k to 595k)
Mantle: A whopping 8 239 954 Draw Calls per second (My jaw dropped at this point)

Did not test DirectX 12 because I don't use Windows 10 but Mantle should be identical

PS: Using a R9 270x slightly overclocked

[sadomasothebest]

good vid pcper - I love your podcasts - good job !

[edoh]

So the Mantle API, had more draw calls compared to dx12, but we dont see a drastic improvment in games with mantle. Does that mean we wont see a drastic improvment with dx12 over dx 11?

[michaelweiss]

I'm curious since this puts more draw calls does this mean the stress will go up and equate to more heat?

[wagdbikerider]

can you run this with basic mode of 3dmark? it looks like advanced edition is needed to run it.

[EnthusiasticGoat]

This was a very well made video! Thanks for posting man! Glad to be posted on this stuff! Have a good one!

[subterraa]

So do cpus with hyperthreading see an increase in performance if turned on ??? these are the things we really wanna know.

[ericbergfield]

Thank you for breaking this down so thoroughly for us.

[renz_gg]

noob question do you have to have windows 10 to use dx12 test ?

[FellTheSky]

Ryan, since the increase of performance peaks out at 6 cores on the 5960x, are you planning on testing the 8350 to see the scale of performance on 8 cores_?

[therealrbert]

So this means that games that suffer in performance due to too many objects being on the screen and not enough cpu horsepower will now perform much better correct? As in that is the specific problem being addressed here?

[celestialbeing]

Do you have a Opengl or Vulkan API video also?

[Skydmig]

This is nice, but I'm also very impressed by the Vulkan showcase. That Intel gfx Dota 2 showcase was pretty impressive.

[josh]

wow!!! dx12 will change games forever. now my 6 core can stretch it's leg's

[DragonC]

whats that sound in the background it sounds like gulps!!??!

[efrenhermosillo]

i wish ryan would of gone to what are draw calls and what does all of this mean for games besides more fps