According to a recently discovered entry on Intel’s support pages, Arc series graphics cards no longer have native support for DirectX 9. However, applications based on it can be run via the D3D9On12 interface. A popular example of a DX9 game is the CS:GO shooter.

In that entry he @SquashBionic attention on twitter. Previously there was @OneRaichu Information provided at this address, which is now being confirmed.

Intel explains that both the integrated GPUs of Alder Lake processors (Core 12th Gen) and the discrete graphics cards of the Arc family “No longer natively supported by D3D9“. However, DirectX 9 based applications and games may “continue to run through the Microsoft D3D9On12 interface“Keep saying. Older Intel processors still support DX9 natively. However, if these are paired with an Arc graphics card, a game will likely use D3D9On12 as well,” Intel continues.

The 12th Gen Intel processor integrated GPU and discrete Arc GPU no longer support D3D9 natively. DirectX 9 based applications and games can still work through the Microsoft* D3D9On12 interface.

The integrated GPU in 11th Gen and earlier Intel processors supports DX9 natively, but can be combined with Arc graphics cards. If so, rendering is likely handled by the card and not the iGPU (unless the card is disabled). Therefore, the system will use DX9On12 instead of DX9.

Since DirectX is owned and supported by Microsoft, troubleshooting DX9 games and apps requires forwarding any findings to Microsoft Support so they can include the appropriate fixes in their next update of the operating system and DirectX APIs.

intelligence

Behind D3D9En12 hides open source software that translates graphics commands from D3D9 to D3D12 and practically acts as an alternative GPU driver. Compatibility is thus maintained indirectly. However, Intel expressly notes that any issues with DirectX 9 applications are now solely a Microsoft concern and appropriate support requests should be made at this address.

It is unclear to what extent this DX9 support indirectly affects performance compared to a native implementation. Microsoft talks about a meanwhile”relatively efficient implementation“.

However, the situation isn’t too dire, because most reasonably up-to-date games (plus) use a newer API, like DX11 or DX12. as one in Linus Tech Tips As the posted figure shows, most of the currently popular games use a newer API or offer a newer one along with DX9.

However, Intel Arc has also been shown to have major weaknesses in DX11. It works much better under DX12.