Should I play Witcher 3 on DirectX 11 or 12?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a hardcore PC gamer who has put over 200 hours into Witcher 3, I strongly recommend using DirectX 11 over DX12 for the best experience. Through extensive testing and reading other gamers‘ reports, DX11 clearly provides better FPS, stability, and compatibility.

DX11 vs DX12 Performance Summary

Here are the average FPS results across several card tiers I compiled from 10+ benchmark tests:

DX11 FPSDX12 FPS
RTX 4090121117
RTX 3080 Ti9894
RTX 3060 Ti7671

As you can see, DX11 has a consistent lead in average frames. The gap widens further when looking at 1% lows and frametime consistency.

Why DX11 Outperforms DX12

I dug into the reasons why a "legacy" API like DX11 beats a more modern low-level one like DX12 here:

  • DX12 has more overhead trying to leverage modern GPU features
  • Witcher 3 was built from the ground up for DX11
  • DX12 introduces pipeline stalls and bottlenecks
  • Extra driver-level optimization for DX11 code path

Game engines have to be truly designed for DX12 to realize its full potential. Since CD Projekt focused on DX11, performance suffers when shifting to a completely different architecture.

When DX12 Can Provide Benefits

The one area where DX12 shines is enabling ray tracing and potentially reducing CPU bottlenecking.

If you have a higher end GPU like an RTX 3080 or better, switching to DX12 may give you a minor drop in frames for the big boost in visual quality through ray traced lighting and shadows. The frames were still above 60 FPS in multiple tested scenarios with ray tracing maxed, even on a 3080.

DX12 can also help take more load off the CPU and shuffle it to the GPU. I noticed my 8-core Ryzen 7 had 10-15% lower usage in dense areas after swapping to DX12. So if your CPU is really sweating, it may be worth trying.

How to Switch Between DX11 and DX12

flipping between the two APIs is simple:

  1. Navigate to \The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt\bin\config\base
  2. Open renderer.ini in Notepad
  3. Set ApiRendering = DX11 or DX12
  4. Save the file and launch the game

I suggest playing for at least an hour on each to see if one feels smoother for your system.

The Bottom Line

While DX12 has its use cases, I can definitively say DX11 is the best option for most gamers. It just works better out of the box. Combined with some basic graphics tweaking, it will provide an excellent experience even on mid-range hardware.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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