Windows 11 Pro and DirectX: Changing Gaming Forever
Windows 11 has been out since 2021; however, only in November 2024 did more than 50% of gamers on Steam have Windows 11 installed.
The change is unknown. However, we believe that more people are finding out about the power of Windows 11 Pro and DirectX.
What is Windows 11 Pro?
Windows 11 Pro is Microsoft Windows’ latest operating system, offering more advanced features than the standard Windows 11 Home Edition.
It includes the same core gaming features as Windows 11 — Game Mode, DirectStorage, and Auto HDR — alongside allowing for more RAM (2 TB compared to 128GB in Home) and physical CPUs (two up to 128 cores compared to Home’s one up to 64 cores).
Key Features of Windows 11 Pro for Gamers
Game Mode
Game Mode is an optimisation tool that improves gaming performance by prioritising system resources.
While on, it automatically disables unnecessary services and background processes, ensuring that the game being played has maximum processing power.
For those on low-spec machines, this feature is very valuable. The reason is that it can help squeeze out extra performance during gameplay.
DirectStorage
DirectStorage is a technology designed to reduce game load time.
It does this by enabling faster asset streaming directly from NVMe SSDs to the GPUT, bypassing some CPU bottlenecks.
Due to this, gamers can experience a ‘close to instant’ load times. It also promotes smooth transitions in open-world games.
Auto HDR
Auto HDR is a visual enhancement feature that gives games High Dynamic Range (HDR) built for Standard Dynamic Range (SDR).
As a result, it improves the colour range, contrast, and brightness of games, making them appear of higher quality.
Advanced Software
Windows 11 Pro allows for more powerful gaming setups, as it supports up to 2TB of RAM and two physical CPUs with up to 128 cores.
For comparison, Windows 11 Home only allows up to 128GB of RAM and one physical CPU with up to 64 cores.
What is DirectX
DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) built by Microsoft. They serve as an intermediary between software and hardware, ensuring games communicate effectively with components like sound cards, graphic cards, and input devices.
Type of DirectX APIs
| DirectX API | Description |
|---|---|
| Direct3D | Powers 3D graphics rendering for immersive visuals. |
| DXGI | Manages graphics hardware, monitors, and rendering processes efficiently. |
| Direct2D | High-performance, hardware-accelerated 2D graphics for shapes and text. |
| DirectWrite | Enables high-quality text rendering with resolution-independent fonts. |
| DirectCompute | Leverages GPUs for non-graphics tasks like physics simulations. |
| DirectX Raytracing (DXR) | Delivers real-time ray tracing for realistic lighting and reflections. |
| DirectStorage | Reduces load times by allowing GPUs direct access to SSDs. |
| DirectML | Integrates GPU-accelerated machine learning into applications. |
| DirectSR | Upscales resolution with better image quality and performance. |
| XAudio2 | Advanced audio processing and mixing for games. |
| XACT3 | Manages sound playback and effects in games. |
| XInput | Handles input from Xbox and compatible controllers. |
| DxDiag | Diagnoses issues with DirectX components like audio, video, and drivers. |
The Benefits of DirectX for Gamers
Enhanced Graphics
DirectX provides features like Direct3D, which allows game developers to create more realistic environments and characters.
Alongside this, DirectX supports technologies like:
- Ray Tracing: Allows for Real-time rendering of light and shadows.
- Anti-Aliasing: Reduces jagged edges in graphics.
- Anisotropic Filtering: Improves texture details at various angles.
Together, these features enhance the graphics, giving games greater detail and realism.
Improved Performance
DirectX is designed to optimise the performance of games by improving resource management.
The key improvement includes low-level access, where developers can use DirectX 12 to access low-level hardware, enabling them to optimise games better.
It also improves the ability to perform multiple operations at the same time. This improves efficiency and reduces latency, especially with games with heavy graphical workloads.
Alongside this, it grants users access to DirectStorage Technology, which allows for faster data transfer between storage devices and GPUs.
This is also improving with each version of DirectX. DirectX 12, the latest version of DirectX that was created in 2015, outperforms the older DirectX 11, created in 2009.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Including the above, DirectX offers broad compatibility across various Windows operating systems. It’s compatible with the latest Windows 11 Pro as well as older versions, like 10, 8, 8.1, 7, and even XP.
Plus, many hardware manufacturers support DirectX. Therefore, it’s compatible with both high-end gaming PCs and budget systems. This allows game developers to optimise their games for various hardware configurations, allowing more gamers to enjoy their creations.
How Windows 11 Pro and DirectX Work Together Perfectly
Combined, Windows 11 Pro and DirectX provide gamers with a better gaming experience.
Some of the key ways they’re able to do this include:
| Aspect | Windows 11 Pro | DirectX | Benefit to Gamers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading Speed | DirectStorage | DirectStorage API | Faster loading and smoother gameplay. |
| Visual Quality | Auto HDR | DirectX 12 Ultimate | Enhanced colours, contrast, and brightness. |
| Performance | Game Mode | DirectX 12 Optimization | Smoother gameplay and reduced lag. |
| Hardware Utilization | Advanced Hardware Support (2TB RAM, multiple CPUs) | Multi-core CPU Utilization | Optimised performance for high-end PCs. |
| Graphics Technology | Support for the latest GPUs | Ray Tracing, Variable Rate Shading | Realistic visuals and better performance. |
Conclusion
As you can see, Windows 11 Pro and DirectX are somewhat of a match made in heaven. Together, they can provide a better gaming experience for players by improving load speed, visual quality, performance, and more.
Check out our licensing packages if you’re considering upgrading to Windows 11 Pro. We are constantly offering the best deals for those wanting to upgrade to this Windows operating system.
