Vulkan Support Coming to DOOM, Bringing Super-High Framerates

[ffronw]

Vulkan Support Coming to DOOM, Bringing Super-High Framerates

//cdn.themis-media.com/media/global/images/library/deriv/1335/1335590.jpgVulkan support is coming to DOOM, and that means PC gamers can push for ridiculously high framerates.

id Software is bring support for the Vulkan API to DOOM, which could mean much faster framerates for PC gamers. Vulkan is the next-generation of the venerable OpenGL API, and it improves on almost every aspect of its forbear. It sports higher performance, better multicore CPU usage, and more.

Back in May, id showed off Doom running at 120 fps on the Vulkan API [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/167426-New-DOOM-Videos-Show-Off-Guns-Gameplay], and now that same support is available to everyone playing DOOM on PC. Not only does this mean that newer PCs will be able to get better framerates, but Bethesda says that they expect older PCs to be able to play the game at good framerates now.

You can see all the info about the Vulkan update in Vulkan FAQ [https://bethesda.net/#en/events/game/doom-vulkan-support-now-live/2016/07/11/156].

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[Denamic]

Can confirm; runs like butter.

 

[Vigormortis]

I can also confirm. I don't have some sort of god-tier rig (I'm running a R9 290 coupled with a FX 6300 Vishera CPU) but I'm hitting 110~130 FPS with everything turned to ultra, even in particle and shader heavy scenes, whereas before I was hovering around 60 or so.

Well done id and Khronos Group.

 

[Remus]

Meh, my IPS is locked at 60 anyway. But my Bravia is 120, so I'll have to see where I top out on Doom using my TV. Oh what fun

 

[shrekfan246]

I only have a 60Hz monitor so it's not like it really impacts me, but anything that further takes away Microsoft's stranglehold on gaming APIs is good in my eyes.

 

[Metalrocks]

I only have a 60Hz monitor so it's not like it really impacts me, but anything that further takes away Microsoft's stranglehold on gaming APIs is good in my eyes.

same here. mine is also a 60hrz monitor and my r9 290x runs the game generally very smoothly on high settings. but good on id for doing this.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

Now we will see Sony trot out the PS 4.75, and Microsoft Xbone Scorpio 2.0 that use this new tech.

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Oooooh, I should give this a go tonight. I've been pretty happy with the performance on my rig, but, you know, even better would be nice.

EDIT: ok, gave Vulkan as spin. The results really are impressive. I'm getting higher framerates at Ultra settings than I did before on High. Performance is more stable too, with less drops.

 

[FalloutJack]

Although, this does mean that Doom can hand people their ass faster, as well. Beware of that.

 

[Vigormortis]

I only have a 60Hz monitor so it's not like it really impacts me,

Meh, my IPS is locked at 60 anyway. But my Bravia is 120, so I'll have to see where I top out on Doom using my TV. Oh what fun

same here.

Actually, it might. While the extra frames will be superfluous the added performance means you should be able to up your settings by quite a bit.

I mean, before this I was getting roughly 60~70 fps with most of my settings at high and only a few at ultra. Now, running the Vulkan renderer, I'm getting 120+ fps with literally every setting maxed to ultra. I'm getting double the frames with even higher settings.

So yeah, give it a go anyway. If nothing else, you should be able to make the game look prettier without having your FPS suffer.

but anything that further takes away Microsoft's stranglehold on gaming APIs is good in my eyes.

Agreed, wholeheartedly. And with AMD, nVidia, Valve, Epic, id, DICE, and others supporting Vulkan, maybe we'll finally see that stranglehold weaken.

 

[Weresquirrel]

Sadly, I can't get it to work. I think I should, I've got a Radeon R7 370 2gb, and I apparently have the vulkan files in my system, but if I turn it on with Doom, it just crashes as soon as I start the game.

 

[Monk5127]

Sadly, I can't get it to work. I think I should, I've got a Radeon R7 370 2gb, and I apparently have the vulkan files in my system, but if I turn it on with Doom, it just crashes as soon as I start the game.

What driver are you running? The release notes state you need to be running 16.7.1 at least to be able to use Vulkan in DooM4.

 

[Weresquirrel]

Sadly, I can't get it to work. I think I should, I've got a Radeon R7 370 2gb, and I apparently have the vulkan files in my system, but if I turn it on with Doom, it just crashes as soon as I start the game.

What driver are you running? The release notes state you need to be running 16.7.1 at least to be able to use Vulkan in DooM4.

Running 16.7.2. I ran DDU and installed the latest drivers fresh, so not sure what else I can do. I can still run the game pretty well (40-50 fps on varied settings) without Vulkan, just a wee bit annoying I can't see what all the fuss is about

 

[Monk5127]

DDU can miss some components/parts of the AMD driver when removing. Try following the relevant guide for your OS here - http://www.overclock.net/t/988215/how-to-remove-your-amd-gpu-drivers-new-2016 then try reinstalling 16.7.2 and see how that goes. It's also worth doing a "Verify Integrity of Game Cache" on Steam too.