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While loading intoBaldur’s Gate 3, there’s a question you must answer first: Vulkan or DirectX 11? This can be confusing to many, but it’s an important distinction to make depending on the specs of your PC or laptop. It will affect your gameplay and how much time you spend having to adjust settings later.
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If you don’t know the difference, that’s okay. Not everyone knows the exact specifications of their PC, as much as you love playing games on it, which is why this simple guide will help you decide which works best for you. The simplified question is, who made your graphics card, and how well does it run?
What Is Vulkan?
If you’ve never heard of Vulkan before Baldur’s Gate 3, don’t worry about it. Many were introduced to thenewer graphics APIthrough the game. Currently, Vulkan seems to promisebetter and more consistent gameplay, even beingofficially supported and encouragedby Larian Studios.
Vulkan has been known to experience crashes or visual bugs, which can affect gameplay in unintended ways.
Withmore advanced PCsor gaming steps with advanced specs, Vulkan is more likely to deliver a streamlined experience withfewer performance drops. If there are any, youmay not even noticethem. As it’s supported by the developers themselves, this is theoptimal way to experienceBaldur’s Gate 3 if your machine can support it.
What Is DirectX 11?
For thoseunsure of their computer’s specsor how well the game will run, DirectX 11 serves as astable and reliableway to run Baldur’s Gate 3. It’swell-known and tested, making it a staple in gaming. More casual PCs andlaptops will handle it better, as well as older systems that may not support new or advanced API.
If performance is something you’re worried about, and you just want to play, opt for DirectX 11. You can change your mind later, but this is thesafest and most dependableway to get into the game quickly.
Vulkan Vs. DirectX 11
If you want the premium experience and are willing to work witha bit of trial and error, Vulkan is the way to go. It’sencouraged by the developers, meaning that Vulkan is how they want you to see the game (even in early access). Meanwhile,DirectX 11 offers a secure way to playwithout worrying about an unstable or new API.
Ultimately,your graphics cardwill determine which API runs better. You cantest both outto determine what works better for you, or you’re able to selectDirectX 11 as the safe optionand not worry about it. You’ll still have the breathtaking experience ofexploring the Sword Coast, and if you’re not familiar with the difference between the API, you probablywon’t even notice changesin how the game runs.
