DirectX vs Vulkan vs OpenGL: Performance Comparison

Introduction to Graphics APIs and FPS Performance

APIs are basically the bridge that introduce us to the systems, devices, and the softwares. Graphics APIs act as a bridge between the games and the GPU. This companionship directly influences the FPS performance, stablism and frame pacing. Due to this, we will notice a sudden increase in FPS. After the graph reached its maximum values, then will be a consistent graph which is more good than the ups and downs (fluctuated) graph.

DirectX, Vulkan, and OpenGL are the most widely used APIs. But the main drawback is that they approach the performance optimization very differently. FPS-focused websites must understand how these APIs are connected to their games and with the system. Due to this incompatibility and unbalancing between the hardware and the software, some problems occur like CPU overheading, GPU loading, screen lagging, screen tearing, taking longer time to load, and many others. Basically, these APIs affect CPU overhead, GPU utilization, and rendering pipelines.

Feature	DirectX	Vulkan	OpenGL
Average FPS	High	Very High	Moderate
CPU Overhead	Medium (DX12 Low)	Very Low	High
Frame Time Stability	Good	Excellent	Inconsistent
Multi-Core Scaling	Good	Excellent	Poor
Competitive FPS Suitability	High	Very High	Low
Cross-Platform Support	Windows Only	Multi-Platform	Multi-Platform

Higher FPS is mostly linked with the powerful hardware, the APIs used, and how efficiently they are linked with the system. Some APIs are developed for the ease of deployment, some are developed for the security purpose, some are developed for the performance purpose. Now it’s up to us like which API we should use. This difference is critical in competitive AAA battlefield and championship games. And due to this, the gaming fields based on the different types of the game also differentiate in optimized settings. In this blog, we will focus on the comparison of FPS in different games, not just theoretically, but giving the practical examples too.

What is DirectX and How It Impacts FPS?

DirectX is a Microsoft Graphics API. It is basically designed for removing the gap between the GPU and the graphics card, but the main purpose of it is to optimize the system more efficiently. This API is primarily designed for Windows. The Windows it includes are Windows 7, Windows 8, 8.1, Windows 10, 11, and the upcoming Windows, because the previous versions are not so capable that they can adjust with this API. DirectX API also has its version. Like DirectX 11 is a version which focuses on the stability of the gaming performance.

It also introduces the simplicity and a consistent frame rate graph, which often results in higher FPS and mightily can overheat the CPU. DirectX 12 introduces low access to the hardware and allows the manufacturers to push higher FPS by reducing the CPU bottlenecks and other problems. Many AAA games, FPS games, Battlefield games are specifically optimized for the DirectX API due to its dominance on Windows.

But we can say that its performance and results mostly rely on the developer implementation. Poor optimization can cause frame drops, stuttering, screen lagging, screen tearing, while DirectX 12 can outperform older APIs in modern CPUs and slightly shows inconsistent frame rate in older systems. Overall, at last, we can say that DirectX is suitable for the Windows for mainstream gaming, but not always for the top-level games.

Vulkan API: Designed for High FPS Efficiency

Vulkan API is developed for different devices. It is designed in such a way that it should be used for different operating systems which can be Linux, Graphical User Interfaces, or simple Mac operating system or Windows operating system. So, it is a low-level cross-platform graphics API whose core goals are performance with efficiency. Vulkan gives the developers explicit control over the GPU resources, CPU over-heading significantly not like DirectX. And due to this one reason, higher FPS is noticed by using this API.

1% lows and smooth frame pacing especially in CPU bound scenarios. Vulkan is good for the multi-core CPU utilizations which is the ideal API for new processors which perform multiple taskings. Many competitive FPS users use Vulkan just because of the above shared reasons. At last, the main thing about Vulkan is that its complexity greatly depends upon the developer skills. When they are implemented correctly, very good gameplay is observed but if implemented wrong, the gameplay will be totally giving a shut-up call. And its best combination is with AMD and Linux-based systems.

FPS Advantages and Disadvantages

• Vulkan offers the highest FPS potential with low CPU overhead

• DirectX provides stable FPS with strong Windows optimization

• OpenGL struggles with modern FPS demands

• Vulkan excels in multi-core CPU scaling

• DirectX 12 can cause stuttering if poorly optimized

• OpenGL depends heavily on driver quality

• Vulkan improves 1% low FPS significantly

• DirectX is easier for developers, ensuring consistent releases

OpenGL: Legacy API and FPS Limitations

If we talk about some of the old graphics APIs, because of the quotations, old is gold, then the first option which comes in our mind is OpenGL. This was basically designed for the low-spec system, and such for that old system with the normal day-to-use hardware can also use this, and it is still in use today. When it was its time, it was totally revolutionary.

It hardly reaches the performance of the DirectX 12 and Vulkan modern games, but it was very good at its time. OpenGL relies on the high-level abstraction, which increases the CPU overheads and limits the efficient multi-threatening, and due to this, the system FPS is lowered day by day, an inconsistent frame rate is observed, and other problems like screen stuttering, input lagging, screen trailing, and many others are introduced slowly and gradually.

Particularly in large-scale or fast-paced FPS games, it is not suitable. However, OpenGL still performs very good in old systems, because they have low-quality hardware, low specs, so it is comfortable with them and can run very good emulations they are used too. In OpenGL performance, driver quality depends greatly, with NVIDIA generally outperform the AMD and Intel in this region. And in modern gaming, OpenGL is the weakest API, do not go for it.

Conclusions

At last, I would suggest that do not use OpenGL if you have Core i3 or more up level processors than this. Secondly, Vulkan and DirectX are better options. If you are using a Windows computer, then you can use DirectX. It is very good. You can use Vulkan too, but if you are using other than the Windows operating system, then Vulkan is the only better option for you.

Without thinking anything, just switch to it. And do remember, it is also good for the multi-core processors, which is another plus point and it enhances the gameplay more efficiently. If you like this blog, so do share your opinion on the contact us page. We will send you weekly newsletter and stay connected. Thank you.