Windows 10 will be officially released at the end of July. Although the global release may have to wait until October, it will not be an accident, then you can experience this new system in less than two months. In addition to interface and functional changes, its technology is also leapfrogging, especially with the exclusive support of DirectX 12, which puts new high demands on the graphics card.
In the distant past, the graphics card's DX support is actually very simple, either support, or not supported, but since Microsoft has done "Feature Level" (function level), things are complicated.
The main function of the feature level is to classify the DX hardware of different grades into the same system, and then distinguish the special effects with this index, which can greatly facilitate programming development. The larger the number behind it, the supported special effects. more.
DX12 is an example. Feature Level 12_1 represents all DX12 effects, and Feature Level 12_0 is a partial effect.
At the same time, DX12 Feature Level 11_1, 11_0 indicates that they support less special effects, but are also compatible with DX12, and can enjoy DX12 underlying acceleration.
These four categories can be programmed and developed under the DX12 framework, unified management, and enjoy the same acceleration support. The only difference is the special effects.
Now, NVIDIA, AMD graphics card DX12 support has been basically clear, Intel nuclear display has yet to be confirmed, it should only be compatible with DX12.
Although Windows 10 is mentioned here, Windows 7/8.1 can be upgraded free of charge, so the old system does not have to worry, and the overall hardware requirements of Windows 10 remain basically the same, not too hungry.
[DX12 Feature Level 12_1]
At present, the only graphics card that can fully support this level under Windows 10 is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 900 series, which is the second generation Maxwell architecture. The specific models include Titan X on the desktop. 980 Ti, 980, 970, 960, and 980M, 970M, 965M on the notebook, a total of eight.
AMD Fiji core should also support, but have to wait until the release and finally confirm.
[DX12 Feature Level 12_0]
This level is AMD graphics card, desktop independent including Radeon HD 7790, R7 260/X, R9 285, R9 290/X, R9 295X2, a total of six models.
There is no clear statement on APU, but Kaveri A-7000, Godavari A-7000/8000, Mullins A/E-6000, and Beema A/E-6000 series should all be at this level.
NVIDIA does not have this level.
[DX12 Feature Level 11_1]
This is more, AMD covers all models of the Radeon HD 7700/7800/7900 series outside the 7790, R9 270/X, R9 280X. NVIDIA is the GeForce 400-700 four series (the entry-level vests like the GT 410 are not counted).
In a nutshell, AMD GCN architecture, NVIDIA Fermi architecture and above graphics cards are compatible with DX12, but the functional level is different.
AMD released DX12 compatible list:
- Radeon R9 series desktop graphics
- Radeon R7 series desktop graphics
- Radeon R5 240 desktop graphics
- Radeon HD 8000 OEM series desktop graphics (HD 8570 and higher)
- Radeon HD 8000M Series Notebook Graphics
- Radeon HD 7000 Series Desktop Graphics Card (HD 7730 and higher)
- Radeon HD 7000M Series Notebook Graphics Card (HD 7730M and higher) )
- A4/A6/A8/A10-7000 Series Mainstream APU (codename Kaveri)
- A6/A8/A10 PRO-7000 Series Business Edition APU (codename Kaveri)
- E1/E2/A4 /A6/A8-6000 Series Low Power APU (codename Beema)
- E1/A4/A10 Micro-6000 Series Ultra Low Power APU (codenamed Mullins)