Ray Tracing in Games: DXR 1.2 Boosts Performance
- Ray tracing, a rendering technique producing realistic lighting effects, has become a key focus in modern gaming.
- The previous iteration, DXR 1.1, arrived in 2019, introducing inline ray tracing and other improvements.
- One key feature is Shader Execution Reordering (SER).NVIDIA introduced SER with its GeForce RTX 4000 series (Ada Lovelace architecture).
Microsoft’s DirectX Raytracing 1.2 Aims for Performance Boost
Table of Contents
- Microsoft’s DirectX Raytracing 1.2 Aims for Performance Boost
- microsoft’s DirectX Raytracing 1.2: Your Questions Answered
- What is DirectX Raytracing (DXR)?
- What is DXR 1.2?
- What are the Key Features of DXR 1.2?
- What is Shader Execution Reordering (SER) and How Does it Work?
- Which GPUs Benefit Most from SER?
- Will DXR 1.2 Standardize SER Implementation?
- What are Opacity Micromaps (OMM)?
- Which GPUs support OMM?
- What are Cooperative Vectors?
- What GPU Architectures Support Cooperative Vectors?
- Does DXR 1.2 Support Cross-Vendor GPUs?
- Summary Table of DXR 1.2 Features and Support
Ray tracing, a rendering technique producing realistic lighting effects, has become a key focus in modern gaming. While often associated with NVIDIA’s RTX branding, ray tracing is implemented through Microsoft’s DirectX Raytracing (DXR) API. A significant update, DXR 1.2, promises enhanced performance and new capabilities.
The previous iteration, DXR 1.1, arrived in 2019, introducing inline ray tracing and other improvements. Microsoft unveiled DXR 1.2 at the GDC 2025 conference last month. This update builds upon existing foundations, incorporating new hardware-level abilities for GPUs.
Shader Execution Reordering (SER)
One key feature is Shader Execution Reordering (SER).NVIDIA introduced SER with its GeForce RTX 4000 series (Ada Lovelace architecture). SER allows the GPU to dynamically reorganize shader execution for more efficient resource utilization.
The goal of SER is to increase frame rates by optimizing hardware performance, freeing up resources for demanding ray-tracing tasks. Unlike CPU out-of-order execution, SER requires software cooperation.
NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4000 and 5000 series cards are expected to benefit most from SER. Though, NVIDIA indicates that SER is situation-specific and not universally beneficial, requiring developers to enable it for specific shaders based on profiling data. It remains unclear whether DXR 1.2 will standardize SER implementation. Due to limited support on older gpus, games are unlikely to rely heavily on SER in the near future.
Opacity Micromaps (OMM)
DXR 1.2 also introduces Opacity Micromaps (OMM), another feature designed to boost ray-tracing performance. OMM optimizes the handling of object geometry, specifically openness and opacity. The technology aims to improve efficiency in managing transparency data for triangles and models.
OMM effectively replaces alpha textures, reducing the shader workload required to evaluate light interaction with objects. This should lead to faster rendering of complex elements like vegetation.
NVIDIA also showcased OMM as a feature of its Ada Lovelace architecture. support for OMM is anticipated in GeForce RTX 4000 series and newer GPUs,with older RTX 2000 and 3000 series cards likely lacking support.
cross-Vendor GPU Support
Microsoft presented DXR 1.2 alongside AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, and qualcomm, suggesting broad ecosystem support. However, initial feature availability may vary across manufacturers and future GPU architectures.
qualcomm indicated that SER and OMM would only be supported in its next-generation processors and integrated GPUs.Intel’s existing ARC GPUs are expected to support SER, but OMM support is planned for future ARC generations. Facts regarding AMD Radeon support for SER and OMM remains limited.
Along with SER and OMM, DXR 1.2 incorporates Cooperative vectors, enabling the integration of shader programs (including pixel shaders) with AI models within the same code.
This is particularly relevant for GPUs with dedicated AI units, such as NVIDIA GPUs with Tensor Cores. This capability, also highlighted by NVIDIA for its Blackwell architecture, streamlines AI integration. Intel has confirmed Cooperative Vectors support for both Alchemist and Battlemage ARC graphics generations, which feature specialized neural network acceleration units (XMX).
Sources: Microsoft, videocardz
microsoft’s DirectX Raytracing 1.2: Your Questions Answered
What is DirectX Raytracing (DXR)?
DirectX Raytracing (DXR) is a Microsoft API (Submission Programming Interface) that allows developers to incorporate ray tracing technology into games and other applications.Ray tracing is a rendering technique used to create realistic lighting effects by simulating the way light interacts with objects.
What is DXR 1.2?
DXR 1.2 is a notable update to the DirectX Raytracing API. It promises enhanced performance and new capabilities for GPUs, building upon the foundations of previous versions like DXR 1.1. It was unveiled at the GDC 2025 conference.
What are the Key Features of DXR 1.2?
DXR 1.2 introduces several new features designed to boost ray-tracing performance. the two primary features mentioned in the source material are:
Shader Execution Reordering (SER): Optimizes how shaders are executed on the GPU.
Opacity Micromaps (OMM): Improves the handling of object geometry, notably related to clarity.
* Cooperative Vectors: Enables the integration of AI models within shader programs.
What is Shader Execution Reordering (SER) and How Does it Work?
Shader execution Reordering (SER) is a technique that allows the GPU to dynamically reorganize shader execution to make more efficient use of its resources. This can lead to increased frame rates and improved overall performance, mainly when handling demanding ray-tracing tasks.SER requires software cooperation alongside hardware support.
Which GPUs Benefit Most from SER?
NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4000 and 5000 series cards are expected to benefit the most from SER.
Will DXR 1.2 Standardize SER Implementation?
It remains unclear whether DXR 1.2 will standardize SER implementation.
What are Opacity Micromaps (OMM)?
Opacity Micromaps (OMM) is a technique designed to boost ray-tracing performance by optimizing how object geometry, particularly openness and opacity, is handled. It aims to improve efficiency in managing transparency data for triangles and models, possibly leading to faster rendering of complex elements like vegetation.
Which GPUs support OMM?
Support for OMM is anticipated in GeForce RTX 4000 series and newer GPUs. Older RTX 2000 and 3000 series cards are likely to lack support.
What are Cooperative Vectors?
Cooperative vectors enable the integration of shader programs (including pixel shaders) with AI models within the same code. This is especially beneficial for GPUs with dedicated AI units.
What GPU Architectures Support Cooperative Vectors?
Cooperative Vectors is a feature of NVIDIA GPUs, especially those with Tensor Cores, such as the Blackwell architecture. Intel has confirmed Cooperative Vectors support for Alchemist and Battlemage ARC graphics generations.
Does DXR 1.2 Support Cross-Vendor GPUs?
Yes, microsoft presented DXR 1.2 alongside AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm, suggesting broad ecosystem support. Though,initial feature availability may vary across manufacturers and future GPU architectures.
Summary Table of DXR 1.2 Features and Support
| Feature | Description | Primary Benefit | NVIDIA Support | Intel Support | AMD Support |
| :———————- | :—————————————————————————- | :—————————————— | :——————————- | :———————————– | :——————— |
| Shader Execution Reordering (SER) | Dynamically reorganizes shader execution for better resource utilization. | Increased frame rates, improved performance | RTX 4000 and 5000 series cards | ARC GPUs (expected) | limited Information |
| Opacity Micromaps (OMM) | Optimizes handling of object geometry, especially transparency. | Faster rendering of complex elements | RTX 4000 and newer | Planned for future ARC generations | Limited Information |
| Cooperative Vectors | Integrates shader programs with AI models. | Streamlines AI integration | GPUs with Tensor Cores | alchemist and Battlemage ARC | Not Directly Specified |