Directx 12 Ultimate issues

Hajaan · Mar 27, 2025

Hello!

In short, I want to use DirectX 12 ultimate in games that use it.

I have tried to research this topic extensively but have been frustrated with the surprising lack of information considering that this is THE INTERNET.

In short, I know my GPU supports DirectX 12_2, my full (relevant) pc specifications are:
CPU: AM4 Ryzen 5 3600 (base model)
GPU: RX 79000 XT (ASUS creator edition)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO, 2x16gb with a grand total of 32gb at 3600MHz (XMP is enabled of course)
PSU: Brand new Seasonic BX-850W giving me a bit over 300W of overhead
Motherboard: Gigabyte A320M-H (GA-A320M-S2H rev. 1.x)
Windows 10: build 19045.5608 (22h2) with all optional driver updated (that are relevant, intel xenon cpu drivers aren't relevant imo)
Motherboard BIOS version: F52 (according to dxdiag at least)
GPU drivers: 32.0.13031.4034 aka the very latest Adrenaline software (with drivers) installed with the Factory Reset option enabled, twice recently

Spoiler alert, I think I kind of know the answer already, it's my motherboard and/or CPU being too old and limiting my GPU, it is just that is not mentioned in any thread, new or old, specific or barely relevant, anywhere online.

I am kind of just looking for confirmation

Importantly, I know normal DirectX 12 works in some games, Flight Simulator and Cyberpunk, at least the Adrenaline overlay says so, there is a field that shows what API is used, Vulkan, DX11 or DX12, but in some other games where u can pick between DX11 and DX12 I can only use DX11

Any nerd or expert who is knowledgeable about this, please feel very free to go all out and explain this in detail, I will try my best to appreciate it and have this become in depth enough to provide value to people who might find their way here in the future

Here are some relevant screenshots

***Moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Devices and drivers***

:)

Capoo.W - MSFT

Hi, Hajaan.

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community.

From your description, I understand that you want to choose DX12 in some games that support both DX11 and DX12, but you can only use DX11. I understand your confusion about this problem.

You mentioned that in some games, even if you can choose DX11 and DX12, the game can only use DX11. This may be caused by the following reasons:

Optimization and support of the game itself:

Not all games fully support DirectX 12 Ultimate. Even if the game allows you to choose DX12, some old games or developers have not fully implemented all the features of DX12 Ultimate, resulting in them not fully utilizing the advantages of the hardware when using DX12.

API limitations or game engine issues:

When switching between DX11 and DX12, some games may not run stably enough on DirectX 12 due to the underlying engine architecture, compatibility issues, or optimization during development, and then fall back to DX11.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Best Regards.

Capoo - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

SwordofWhedon

it has to Support DirectX 12 ultimate, DirectX 12.3

There is no work around outside of buying a new computer or upgrading your GPU in a desktop

Tezzarrific

and to add, it is always available if the game you are playing uses dx 12 features.

SwordofWhedon

Direct X is part of windows and is not installed separately

Obsessive Power

Hi,

You can't enable it on that laptop as the NVIDIA MX250 does not support DirectX 12 Ultimate. DX12 Ultimate is only supported on RTX 20XXX series, 30XXX series and AMD's RX 6XXXX series of graphics processors.

Directx 12 Ultimate issues