Home News Ready or Not: What’s Better, DirectX 11 or DirectX 12 (DX11 vs. DX12)?

Ready or Not: What’s Better, DirectX 11 or DirectX 12 (DX11 vs. DX12)?

by Alexis Mar 03,2025

Ready or Not: DirectX 11 vs. DirectX 12 – Which Should You Choose?

Many modern games offer both DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 options, and Ready or Not is no exception. This choice can be confusing, especially for less tech-savvy players. While DirectX 12 is newer and potentially offers better performance, DirectX 11 is often considered more stable. So, which is right for you?

Understanding DirectX 11 and DirectX 12

Simply put, both DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 act as translators between your computer and the game, helping your GPU render visuals.

DirectX 11, being older, is simpler for developers to implement. However, it doesn't fully utilize CPU and GPU resources, potentially limiting performance. Its widespread adoption stems from its ease of use.

DirectX 12, the newer option, is more efficient at utilizing system resources, providing developers with greater optimization potential for enhanced performance. However, its complexity means developers need to invest more effort to fully leverage its benefits.

Choosing the Right DirectX Version for Ready or Not

A photo of the Soft Objectives in Hide and Seek in Ready or Not as part of an article about the DirectX 11 and DirectX 12.

Screenshot via The Escapist
The ideal choice depends on your system's capabilities. Modern, high-end systems with strong DirectX 12 support will likely benefit most from DirectX 12. Its ability to distribute workloads across multiple CPU cores often results in better frame rates, smoother gameplay, and potentially improved graphics.

Conversely, older systems might experience more problems with DirectX 12 than gains. Sticking with DirectX 11, known for its stability on older hardware, is recommended in these cases. While DirectX 12 offers performance advantages, it can cause issues on less powerful PCs.

In short: Use DirectX 12 on modern systems for potentially better performance; use DirectX 11 on older systems for greater stability.

Setting Your Rendering Mode in Ready or Not

You'll typically select your rendering mode (DX11 or DX12) upon launching the game via Steam. A window should appear prompting you to choose. Select DX12 for newer PCs and DX11 for older ones.

If this window doesn't appear, try this:

  1. Right-click Ready or Not in your Steam library.
  2. Select "Properties."
  3. Go to the "General" tab.
  4. Use the "Launch Options" field to specify your preferred rendering mode (e.g., -dx11 or -dx12).

Ready or Not is currently available for PC.

Latest Articles More+
  • 09 2025-07
    eFootball Launches Second Collaboration with Captain Tsubasa Manga

    eFootball is thrilled to unveil the second volume of its exciting collaboration with the beloved manga series Captain Tsubasa. This latest update introduces a fresh wave of crossover content and exclusive login rewards for players to enjoy.For those unfamiliar, Captain Tsubasa is a globally recogniz

  • 09 2025-07
    Mario & Luigi: Brothership Gameplay and Combat Shown on Japanese Site

    With the release of *Mario & Luigi: Brothership* quickly approaching, Nintendo Japan has released fresh gameplay footage, character artwork, and new details that give fans an exciting preview into this highly anticipated turn-based RPG adventure.How to Defeat Enemies in Mario & Luigi: BrothershipExp

  • 09 2025-07
    "M3GAN 2.0's 4K Steelbook Now Open for Preorders"

    She may have just made her triumphant return to movie theaters, but if you’re eager to bring M3GAN’s sinister charm into your home collection, good news: *M3GAN 2.0* is now available to preorder in a sleek 4K Steelbook edition. Both Amazon and Walmart are offering the Steelbook version, and Amazon a