DirectX 12 Ultimate adds powerful new features and capabilities to DirectX 12 including DirectX Raytracing Tier 1.1, Mesh Shaders, Sampler Feedback, and Variable Rate Shading (VRS).
3DMark already includes dedicated tests for DirectX Raytracing and Variable Rate Shading.
Today, we’re releasing the 3DMark Mesh Shader feature test, a new test that shows how game engines can improve performance by using mesh shaders in the graphics pipeline.
[h2]What is a mesh shader?[/h2]
In 3D graphics, a mesh is the set of vertices, edges and faces that define the shape of an object. In current graphics pipelines, all the geometry data in a mesh must be processed sequentially before any further steps can be taken. This can be a significant performance bottleneck.
Mesh shaders replace the old model with a new approach to geometry processing that simplifies the graphics pipeline while also giving developers more flexibility and control. Mesh shaders can process small sections of a mesh, called meshlets, in parallel with a much greater degree of flexibility and control.
[h2]Test mesh shader performance with 3DMark[/h2]
The 3DMark Mesh Shader feature test shows how game engines can improve performance by using the mesh shader pipeline to efficiently cull geometry that is not visible to the camera.
The test scene is a hall containing many rows of highly detailed, carved pillars. As the camera moves through the scene, the pillars in the foreground block the view of those further back.
The test runs in two passes. The first pass uses a traditional approach to geometry culling to provide a performance baseline. The second pass uses mesh shaders to efficiently cull hidden meshlets. The result of the test is the average frame rate for each pass and the difference between the two expressed as a percentage.
[h2]Interactive mode[/h2]
The 3DMark Mesh Shader feature test includes an interactive mode that helps you visualize the benefits of using mesh shaders. You can pause and jump to different parts of the timeline and change settings in real-time. Use visualizer options to highlight meshlets or see the level of detail (LOD) used for each meshlet.
[h2]Available now[/h2]
The 3DMark Mesh Shader feature test is available now. To run the 3DMark Mesh Shader feature test, you'll need Windows 10 version 2004 or later and a graphics card with drivers that support Microsoft DirectX 12 Ultimate.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/223850/3DMark/
[h2]What's new in 3DMark v2.17.7137[/h2]
This major update adds the 3DMark Mesh Shader feature test—a dedicated test for measuring mesh shader performance of the latest graphics cards.
New
- 3DMark Mesh Shader feature test.