Intel released a video a while back detailing the benefits of DirectX 12 over DirectX 11. In the demonstration, David Cimini explains that DirectX 12 reduces CPU overhead which leads to better frame rates for graphically intensive programs. For example, rendering 50,000 distinct asteroids on a DirectX 11 Surface Pro 3 only gets you around 20 frame per second. However, if you update the Surface Pro 3 to DirectX 12, the frame rate increases to 30 frames per second. This equates to a 50% improvement on an early version of the API. DirectX 12 will be a game changer for the PC when it finally releases with Windows 10 this year. It will also bring many improvements to the Xbox One.
Speaking of the Surface Pro 3, Microsoft also released a firmware update for the device which implements a number of improvements. The biggest changes being the Intel HD graphics driver enhancements which makes the tablet feel smoother and faster. This is especially noticeable when observing animations in the main tiled interface. If you own a Surface Pro 3 and have not downloaded the update yet, do so now because it makes everything feel that much faster.
It remains to be seen whether DirectX 12 can help turn the Surface Pro 3 into a casual gaming machine. People with purpose-built gaming rigs and laptops can rest assured that Windows is the only place to be when it comes to high end graphical fidelity.
Asher M is a games journalist, former News Writer (Gaming) at Windows Central. They contributed 18 articles to ICXM between 2014–2015, focused on game reviews, and Xbox news: one of several bylines used by Asher Madan during his time at ICXM.