DirectX With Granite Makes Shaders Less Complex & Faster On Xbox One/PC, Memory Usage Reduced

"You may not know it but as the next generation of consoles really gets rolling, middleware companies like Graphine Software and their products like Granite SDK are becoming all the more visible."

[FrigidDARKNESS]

Awesome stuff here xbox one is a true next gen console for developers.

[hello12]

I think the big advantage of directx12 is actually on the CPU side not GPU. Of course some extra features will make the GPU better with directx12

CPU on the x box 1 most of the work is been done on mainly 1 core, Directx12 improves this and spreads out the work more evenly to the other 4 to 6 cores available to games.

Graphics can be processed much faster than on screen

[OrangePowerz]

That is quite incorrect regarding the work being mainly done on one core. This holds true for PC games because most games still run on single or dual cores so they are not optimized for CPUs with more cores and don't use them efficient.

That rule doesn't apply to console games that are fully optimized to the specific console. Every X1 has the same CPU so you don't have devs coding for a single or dual core CPU and don't use the other cores.

[Gozer]

"I think the big advantage of directx12 is actually on the CPU side not GPU. Of course some extra features will make the GPU better with directx12"

This article says DX12 will produce 50% more cpu power.
http://purenews.net/dx12-ga...
This article mentions one of the advancements the X1 will get from DX12. It would really help the conversation if someone with development knowledge could weigh in on how much of an advancement this is, and what it could mean for the X1.
http://wccftech.com/microso...

[GameNameFame]

That is on pc right now. If you have pc multithread dont have much.

Consoles including had close code to metal program. If you can code to metal then you can already multi core. Lolol.

Ms on their own slide says giving console like api to pc.

Also this granite sdk is third party and ps4 is getting it too.

[fr0sty]

This article fails on so many levels...

1. The developer is not even talking about DX12, though the article mentions it at the end as if it will offer any more advantages for this middleware, when the dev made no mention of it whatsoever.

2. The developer explicitly said that his middleware would improve performance on both DX11.2+ and OpenGL (what PS4's API is based on), though the article conveniently leaves out the OpenGL part and the fact that he made no mention of consoles whatsoever. That doesn't make for as much of a click-bait headline.

3. Because that middleware is designed to run on all platforms, all he is basically doing is describing how his middleware will help reduce shader and memory cost on every platform it is used on, this is nothing to do exclusively with Xbox in any way, shape, or form.

[Gamer1982]

This doesnt effect the consoles though as games are already optimized to use all cores. Except on PC where there not designed for it. If DX changes that it will surely boost PC but not Xbox. Either way I think people who think DX12 is gonna be what makes Xbox One look better than PS4 or let it catch up are in for a rude awakening when they see games with it as that wont happen. Even devs have confirmed it won't change the current slant on consoles and most of the benefits are for PC and tablets.

[xenzibe]

Please provide a source for that.

Maybe having all the work done on 1 core is why its so slow.

[No_Limit]

Jesus, Frigid, how did you get that many disagrees for being excited about your console? It must've been a record or something.

"Wow amazing stuff. The x1 is truly the next gen must have console"

Agree(151) | Disagree(440) |

[MetalProxy]

He is trying to tell me it's the true next GEN console to have and I whole heartily disagree. Is that ok with you or do I have to ask permission from the Xbox boys? Smh

[AceBlazer13]

He thinks the Xbox is the must have console, others think otherwise , hence the disagrees.What's so hard in this for some of you to grasp? Accept it and quit whining.

Anyhow,when are we gonna start seeing the fruits of these improvements.

[ALLWRONG]

The 440 shows the true nature of N4G and Sony fans. It's really an embarrassment which is why only a few are defending it. It's like the time when Toys R Us had to remove videos from youtube.

[MeLoveRamen]

he got the disagrees because thats a stealth troll kid saying " the x1 is truly the next gen must have console" implying the other next gen consoles are not, its not hard to see what he meant, learn how to interpret a comment.

[Gozer]

@MeLoveRamen
He didn't say anything about the other consoles. You are assuming hes trolling, probably because the amount of trolls that we see in a lot of articles.

[MeLoveRamen]

Gozer, its not hard to read between the lines, with him saying that "the x1 is the must have next gen console" implies that it is the only one thats must have. Its really not that hard to interpret his comment and all of you who are defending him just shows your xbox biased so please stop with "n4g is run by sony fanboy" because its sad.

[Ben Dover]

@Gozer @No_Limit

Did you even bother to click at his comment history or even his tagline which says "SDF= worst kind of human beings and lowest of the Apes." In case you don't know SDF = Sony Defense Force.

This guy has been stealth trolling every article and deserves all the disagrees he can get.

[Gamer1982]

Tehres getting excited and getting a disagree for saying its the "must have" console. It's all about personal taste in the end DX12 ain't gonna make people go out and buy xbox's. A Kinect less Xbox would certainly help though!!!

[Pon4]

It definitely is bud Xbox One is killing it

[mewhy32]

Well the xbone currently needs all the help it can get.

[Belasco]

This can be applied to OpenGL as well, right?

[OpieWinston]

It can, if they update it. Current Open GLs Shaders tech is pretty standard.

I haven't heard of any recent updates to Open GL that include it working with Granite SDK to reduce Memory.

[gamertk421]

Correct, As it stands, this helps PS4 on the software side only.

[hello12]

Not directx12 can't be officially used by Sony Microsoft proprietary API.

Sony can try modify Open GL to have similar features to directx12 but it will depend on the RD costs to create similar software?

Directx12 features might cost a lot to code for the PS4? Sony may not have the money.

[djplonker]

Sony is spending money on morpheous + ps now and microsoft is spending to play catch up I dont think they are all that bothered to be honest!

@fireseed

Of Course I know that but I was refering to the xbox division not the people who havent made a good operating system since window xp and think ms word is worth £110....

[Fireseed]

"spending money to play catch up"

You do know MS' main profitable product are it's technologies... right?

[marlinfan10]

"spending money to play catchup" lol yeah I'm sure they just started creating this stuff a couple months ago when they saw the sales gap. i guess you fanboys have to put your own little twist on everything

[imt558]

Sony has own API, dude.

[scott182]

Yes, Open GL will never update or improve. Sony will stay stagnant while MS improves gradually even though the PS4 is a runaway success. I like the logic on here.

[Pinkdolphinyfg]

“This makes the shaders less complex and faster to execute. Another big advantage is that you don’t need to add pixel borders to your tiles so that the memory usage can be reduced. The Granite SDK will automatically switch to hardware virtual texturing if it is available on your system, or it will fall back to software virtual texturing if it’s not.”

The xbox one supports the hardware.

[No_Limit]

Great news for XB1 owners!! System getting better and times goes on as expected.

[redcar121]

Xbox one is getting better

[devwan]

All consoles "get better", it's to be expected. However, the hardware is fixed and will always remain that way - it's how that existing hardware is leveraged that counts.

To put things in some context, he improvement in ps3 titles over time was vast but the xbox one is different, however. It's not a matter of accessing elusive but very much real power and learning to put it to best use, but rather making what's there more hands-off and streamlined to developers. It'll make a difference, but nothing of the same magnitude.

There have already been a series of emergency band-aids for the xbox one due to the initial poor implementation of dx11 and esoteric memory set-up. One of those is easier to remedy than the other. It'll be the decisions made when designing the hardware that will put a ceiling on any potential improvements.

And of course as time goes on, it's not only the xbox one's power that becomes easier to leverage, the same will and does happen for other consoles such as the ps4. You can look at it as a never-ending game of cat and mouse rather than anything like a turtle and hare situation.

@redcar121 "I have both console im not trying to bash ps4 ok psn id darkpanther28"

I never implied you were, I was merely putting your point into a larger context. All consoles get better all the time these days, that's how it works.

[redcar121]

I have all console im not trying to bash ps4 ok psn id darkpanther28 add me if u think im lying

[djplonker]

Tiny steps forward for the xbox now it will never overtake the ps4 in power but maybe 1080p could become the standard sometime soon.

No software can make up for lost hardware... and if it did do you expect sony to sit back and not do something similar the gap will always be present this gen.

Xb1: 1.18TF (12 CUs) for games 
Xb1: 768 Shaders 
Xb1: 48 Texture units 
Xb1: 16 ROPS 
Xb1: 2 ACE/16 queues 
Xb1: 13.65GPixels/s 
Xb1: 40.90GTexels/s 

PS4: 1.84TF GPU (18 CUs) for games +56% more 
PS4: 1152 Shaders +50.5% 
PS4: 72 Texture units +50% 
PS4: 32 ROPS + 100% 
PS4: 8 ACE/64 queues 400% 
PS4: 25.60GPixels/s +88% 
PS4: 57.60GTexels/s +40%

[MasterCornholio]

Does ACE have to do with GPU compute?

[OpieWinston]

Here's the thing though....Never have raw specs made a different in the end for the best "looking" games.

It makes a difference for Multiplat games

But First party studios will be showing the true capabilities of each platform.

[devwan]

It makes a difference for -all- games.

And it's obviously much easier to make a better looking game if your GPU is much more powerful and your memory setup isn't restricting your decision making.

[OpieWinston]

I want you to look back at last gen.
Hardware didn't improve. Software updates occurred that helped Memory/CPU/GPU management.

Look at Strangehold "Maxing" the consoles and then look at Halo 4/Alan Wake/The Last of Us/Uncharted 3/Etc...

The reality is, through Tile resourcing/Cloud off loading/CPU Multi hyper threading...You'll be able to narrow gaps when a FIRST/SECOND party studio works on the game.

The current Granite SDK update is already doing a hell of a job helping improve optization for devs.

The point I'm saying is...Multiplat will NEVER be better than First/Second party games in terms of creating the best looking game with good gameplay.

And yes I've seen a lot of bad Multiplat devs SO FAR this generation.
Most of my multiplat games I don't even give a second look anymore.

BF4? Broken
Thief? Broken
CoD Ghosts? LOL If it ain't broke don't fix it (Yeah it's been Broken for a long time)
Tomb Raider? Played it once and didn't feel the need to do much besides doing all tombs.

The only multiplat games I've been playing are Titanfall and PvZ. Both have had a lot more fine tuning on them because they've been more focused on 2-3 platforms.

People are surprised Watch Dogs has taken a hit in graphical fidelity...It's being made for 6 platforms FFS.

[marlinfan10]

any good news about the xbox and you guys flock into the comment section talking about how it still won't be better than the playstation.

does it really matter to you that much? does it help you sleep at night? i really don't get you guys

[Elit3Nick]

One of the great mysteries of the world ;)

[TheSaint]

It doesn't to you? Really??

If one console has a significantly larger worldwide install base then that console will get more and better games.

That's a fact of gaming, but people will disagree without explaining why anyway.

[Kavorklestein]

@ The Saint-
Install base doesn't strictly mean more games... and it definitely doesn't mean the games will be "better".
I mean it's all about preference. And it's all about a whole bunch of factors.
Here's an example.. I didn't even touch my PS3 for the first two years it was out except when I rented Resistance, Lair, and Heavenly Sword.
None of those games are "Better" than anything, and it wasn't until MGS4 came out that I actually bought a game for 60 bucks.
By the same time, I had already bought more than a grand or two of Xbox 360 games and accessories.
The install base helps keep a console on the map, but it doesn't somehow affect the "Quality of the games" especially when you factor in the fact that most of the games on a system have many of their titles that come out for it prepped, or planned, or lined up way before the public actually get any info on said game/s, and there's also a fact that even with a smaller install base, multiplatform games are typically selling better on Xbox One -DESPITE- the ps4 having more consoles in people's homes. Keyword being typically...
An exception is MGS GZ, but most of the rest are selling better than on xb1..
Anyway, it doesn't really matter when everybody has such varying tastes in exclusives...

[corvusmd]

Everyone knows the pure hardware stats, and yes XB1's hardware will never overtake PS4s hardware. However, saying that no software update will ever bridge the gap is rather ignorant. Software sure can make the difference. If it allows the hardware to do the same thing at a fraction of the cost (which this does), it most certainly can bridge any gap created by hardware. IF the statements by the 3RD Parties about this new stuff pans out to be true, not only will it bridge that gap, but it will potentially leap it. Most of your stats have to deal with the GPU, and if it's true that this will potentially double the effectiveness of a GPU, then all those stats you just listed will get wiped out in a hurry.

TRUE it has to work first, and all these stats are only as good as the developers use of them. However, counting it out at this point is just as ridiculous considering how many 3rd parties are sticking their neck out with genuine excitement over this for no reason. Let's sit back and see, but if you admit that it may be able to make it better enough to create a 1080p standard..then what's stopping it there? Can't it also then make other computations more efficient on top of that?

More to the point, if it makes 1080p/60fps the standard...then what does it matter? At that point we can throw all the stats around we want and it doesn't matter. Will the argument really become "well my console does it's rendering with better hardware...well mine does it with more efficient usage of the software"?

Either way, I'm glad to see that as time goes on MS is continuing to strive to get better and better and if even a fraction of all these updates prove to pan out (DX12, Tiled Resources, Cloud Compute), it looks like we are getting a much more powerful system than it currently stands. If they ALL pan out as well as their closed demos (won't hold my breath just yet), then we are in for a power leap that will soon make current games look like last gen.

Edit: Just a side note, if anyone doubts that there is a huge cult of Sony trolls on this site, scan just a little lower and see that Synathia (SP???) has five bubbles with constant posts like that, and people that have more middle of the road posts that simply state they are happy about what MS is doing have one or two bubbles...

[Convas]

You keep posting that list stating that the XONE's GPU is 1.18TF, which is now incorrect.

Fix it.

[KinjoTakemura]

You're right. It should be 1.38TF

[XBOTTOX]

Could you elaborate what all those abbreviations actually mean and contribute to real world performance?

[Belasco]

Who said the Xbox One would overtake the Ps4 graphically? Being 100% honest when I say I have not seen a single Xbox fan say that. However, I have seen people like yourself say it on several occasions in order to have some retort to an imaginary slight to your beloved piece of plastic and silicon.

[VegasDawg]

I think what people are forgetting is when the Xbone reaches 1080p and 60fps all the extra power of PS4 won't even matter. Who is going out to buy better tv's when 1080p programming is not even out in force?

Is there such thing as a 2k TV? I don't know, what I do know is nobody is going to rush out and get one and you can forget about 4k gaming on either console.

[KinjoTakemura]

There are people here who still believe xb1's performance will double once dx12 is intergrated into the system. The idea is ridiculous. To this day no one has explained how this would be or might be possible. I'm guessing an explaination hasn't been tried because you can't make diamonds out of fairy dust.

[Elit3Nick]

Although I doubt that the benefit would be as high as 2X, it'll still be a very noticeable improvement. The way DX12 works is that instead of a single core doing most of the calculations and stressing the console when it maxes out, DX12 will make it so the processing is evened out across all cores, leading to far more efficient CPU performance.

[WilDRangeRrfc]

X1 is 1.31 TF post correct buddy

[tbone567]

Xbox one definitely getting better.

[imt558]

PS4 also definitely getting better.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

LOL... dear lord its like you are a child. Someone makes positive comment about something you jump in with "me too".

If this was an article about the PS4 your comment would have relevance but this is about improvements that are coming to the Xbox One not the PS4.

Its good to see the back end for the Xbox One getting improvements. No further comment is needed.

[Gr1mmyshadows]

so when both systems start playing games at 1080p and 60fps
what will there be left to argue about?

[devwan]

Both systems are capable of 1080/60 games - as are the 360 and ps3. It's a matter of what you give up to get there.

There will always be plenty to discuss and compare/contrast, otherwise sites like DF wouldn't have been so popular for so long.

[kewlkat007]

Probably resort to sales...

[Elit3Nick]

The sad truth is that no matter what, people will find something to argue about, if it's not power, then it'll be sales, user numbers, first party graphics, online quality, probably a dozen other stupid things that I wouldn't think of...

[xenzibe]

Easy. Argue about how my PC can play in 4k.

[The_devils_chum]

lol xbone always on the defense, just do your own thing microsoft and stop the damage control.

[marlinfan10]

they're talking about the new software thats coming out, how is that damage control? any news about the xbox is considered damage control i guess lol maybe they should just not talk about any features or games coming out, i think that would make you fanboys happy.

and you talk about being on the defense, have you seen the comment section of any xbox article? theres more ps4 people in just about all of them defending the ps4

[killzone619]

go back to your stable sony pony...

[bienio]

Fyrt

[Whitey2k]

Thats what xbox people are like they get hyped until deployed and watch it suck ass

[xx4xx]

.....and apparently Sony people don't use proper punctuation.

[Mega24]

Wish DX12 was available for Win 7, did not like Win8.1 nor 8, and not buying a One until they chop off the kinect

[Stoppokingme]

Never underestimate the power of DirectX.

I remember not being able to play Road Rash because my PC was not DirectX compatible, despite it's awesome MMX processor and a whopping 16 MB of RAM.

You're kidding yourself if you don't believe that DirectX can't deliver the goods, and it's good that the Xbones potential is finally becoming a reality, and I hope the Wii-U can do the same.

[TKCMuzzer]

So what are we saying here? Microsoft want us to shell out money for a console that will be better in 2 years time at which point it will also be cheaper.
Not exactly making me want to shell out now.

[gamer1980]

Microsoft is a software company

Sony is a hardware company

both will equalise each other

far too early to compare when the bare essentials are not even in place!!

[supercpu]

when the xbone released . the software was not ready so they make do with old engine etc . but they pulling all the software together so will be on par with ps4 .

32MB eSRAM + the engines really will do a hell of a lot more than many people anticipated.

hopefully this will keep the fan boys quiet .

[redevildick]

LINK:
http://www.ign.com/boards/t...

[Father__Merrin]

@Tbone

lol this new sdk is for ps4 also, lol

[bornsinner]

nice to know cloud can increase power, same with dx12, same with granite... we are all hearing it, but ain't seeing it.

maybe we will see xbone improve in the future but right now games are coming in at lower res & struggling to hit 1080p

so enough talk and show us, i won't touch the xbone till halo or gears of war comes out.

[DarkAzureIIIX]

This new tech improves all system, so stop with the fanboy BS.

[beebap]

Exactly I see how many people jumped on this article hoping it was it the next secret sauce when in fact it works on both systems. The disagrees to anyone seeing this as fact is laughable and this whole comment section makes me wonder being xbox fanboy makes you so blind and desperate actually.
Yes there will be many improvements to xbox one software and it will get games at 1080 at 60fps and it will not be dx12 this will affect pcs more and only bring slight improvement as it already does some of this stuff with it dx11.2 but there will be even more improvement after that and games will be amazing.but hardware is the fact that means ps4 will be better if software is as good.dev have already said ps4 toolkit is more mature than xbox one so off to brillant start while xbox dev trying their best to get most out of esram. We all just have to see who get best out of their system in the future in the games and from what devs tell us.xbox one will be good system but hardware wise ps4 is best and xbox one cant overtake it with software

[jay2]

Good to hear you Xbones will be on par with where PS4 is NOW In 18 MONTHS.

[supercpu]

this is great news for the xbone , ms keep up the great work .

[kingPoS]

Hmmm... progress is being made. With tech, if you don't innovate... you stagnate. I wonder what Microsoft's main console rivals will respond with in face of Direct X 12?

Gateway MT6706 2008

[Skate-AK]

I will wait until I see it in action.

[chand93]

its time for the xboners to get their heads out of the cloud.

[Pon4]

Plain and Simple Xbox One killing it Updates Triple AAA exclusives and features that will blow your mind away Kudos Microsoft

Let the Sony fans keep waiting for Updates Games etc.. you get what you pay for Sorry

[Mister_G]

Just been reading their website ( http://graphinesoftware.com... and under supported platforms it says "Next-gen consoles", so PS4 should be getting the benefit of this too.

[Lamusiqa]

I don't get why everyone's fussing about XB1 and PS4 in regards to the SDK. The SDK is coming out for both consoles which practically means they have the same set of features. Also, Graphine Software didn't say the SDK will give the XB1 and PC an edge over PS4. The article's author Mr. Sinha implied it.

So... Calm your horses, guys!

PS: I hope this comment will win me a PS4. lol

[Illusive_Man]

Ok

[urwifeminder]

Awesome work MS really changing the landscape of what can be done with this tech.