Intel adds support for vulkan graphics api on windows

A new step forward for the adoption of Vulkan, the new multiplatform graphics API that competes against Microsoft's DirectX 12. Intel has made available the first stable version of its Intel HD Graphics drivers that adds support for Vulkan on Windows.

Vulkan is the open source competition for DirectX 12

Intel's support for Vulkan on Windows reaches Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 systems in their 64-bit flavors. The Intel graphics that support the new API are those integrated into the " Skylake " and " Kaby Lake " series of processors, even though the latter are only officially supported by Windows 10.

Vulkan is a graphical API that allows developers to access hardware control directly (low-level APIs), with the advantage of getting better performance. DirectX 12 already allows access to graphics card hardware at a low level, but Vulkan proves to be more efficient and allows better performance than DirectX. The problem is that very few games are offering support for Vulkan, Doom has already done it with very good results and some other important titles, but more support is needed.

The best graphics cards on the market

Another advantage of Vulkan is that it is a multiplatform API, it can work on consoles, computers, tablets and mobiles, also on different operating systems such as Linux, Android, Mac OS, Steam OS and all versions of Windows. In the case of DirectX 12, it is an exclusive API for Windows 10 users. There are high hopes for this new API, hopefully it will allow for greater graphics performance without spending a penny.