Moore Threads has just achieved an important breakthrough in the world of graphics cards by securing support for DirectX 12, a modern graphics API, which could reshape the landscape for budget-friendly GPUs in China. This advancement signifies a significant step forward for Moore Threads, a company lying in the shadows of giants like AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel. Just last week, prices for Moore Threads’ MTT S80 graphics card hit unprecedented lows in China, making it an appealing option for gamers seeking good performance without breaking the bank.
Although the MTT S80 GPU has struggled to match the performance of more established competitors, the release of its first-ever DirectX 12-compatible driver brings a glimmer of hope. This update comes a year after the card’s initial launch, marking a new chapter for gamers eager to explore games running on this API. In fact, Moore Threads has confirmed that the DirectX 12 support now extends to 500 new games, though it’s important to note that running these games isn’t quite the same as experiencing them optimally.
On October 15th, the company unveiled the beta version of its DirectX 12 driver, readily available for its community. Enthusiastic users of the MTT S80 and MTT S70 can now test out DirectX 12 gaming on homegrown GPUs. Furthermore, Moore Threads has initiated the “Alpha Operation” within its “Mocha Players” community, encouraging enthusiastic gamers to explore the new driver and share their experiences to fine-tune future updates.
Currently, a wealth of games, including popular titles like Elden Ring and Death Stranding, rely exclusively on DirectX 12. Thanks to the new beta driver, users can now delve into these games via the MTT S80 and MTT S70.
In a performance test conducted by Loschzwerg, an MTT S80 owner, the card scored 3,783 points overall and 3,452 in graphics within the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark. These scores are comparable to those of AMD’s Radeon 890M integrated graphics. Additionally, in the Steel Nomad test, the MTT S80 excelled with 874 points, outperforming the 890M by 52%.
However, it’s essential to understand that while this progress is notable, the DirectX 12 support is constrained to Feature Level 11_1. As a result, advanced DX12 Ultimate features like Mesh Shaders and Variable Rate Shading remain out of reach.
This achievement for Moore Threads highlights their commitment to enhancing low-end GPUs while providing consumers with more choices. As developments unfold, it will be fascinating to see how Moore Threads continues to carve a niche in the competitive GPU marketplace.
