Nvidia has announced full support for the new Vulkan 1.0 API, which was just officially published by Khronos Group today.

The next generation of APIs will provide a better programming interface, allowing greater access to hardware - PCs, Smartphones, consoles.

The Vulkan API is the successor to OpenGL and a competitor to Apple's Metal API and Microsoft's DirectX 12 API. This API will become a direct competitor to Microsoft's DirectX 12 API, the use of which is already known in some projects.

Vulkan can run on several OS, which range from Windows (XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10), Linux, SteamOS, Android. Also unlike Mantle, Vulkan can run on different GPUs from different manufacturers.

The latest drivers for video cards from nVidia and AMD are now available.

• Quadro Series: Quadro M6000, Quadro M5000, Quadro M4000, Quadro K6000, Quadro K5200, Quadro K5000, Quadro K4000, Quadro K4200, Quadro K2200, Quadro K2000, Quadro K2000D, Quadro K1200, Quadro K620, Quadro K420
• Quadro Series (Notebooks): Quadro K5100M, Quadro K5000M, Quadro K4100M, Quadro K4000M, Quadro K3100M, Quadro K2200M, Quadro K2100M, Quadro K3000M, Quadro K2000M, Quadro K1100M, Quadro K1000M, Quadro K620M, Quadro K610M, Quadro K510M, Quadro K500M
• GeForce 900 Series: GeForce GTX TITAN X, GeForce GTX 980 Ti, GeForce GTX 980, GeForce GTX 970, GeForce GTX 960, GeForce GTX 950
• GeForce 700 Series: GeForce GTX TITAN Z, GeForce GTX TITAN Black, GeForce GTX TITAN, GeForce GTX 780 Ti, GeForce GTX 780, GeForce GTX 770, GeForce GTX 760, GeForce GTX 760 Ti (OEM), GeForce GTX 750 Ti, GeForce GTX 750, GeForce GTX 745, GeForce GT 740, GeForce GT 730, GeForce GT 720, GeForce GT 710, GeForce GT 705
• GeForce 600 Series: GeForce GTX 690, GeForce GTX 680, GeForce GTX 670, GeForce GTX 660 Ti, GeForce GTX 660, GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST, GeForce GTX 650 Ti, GeForce GTX 650, GeForce GTX 645, GeForce GT 645, GeForce GT 640, GeForce GT 630

Windows:

• Download for Windows 8 and 7 (32-bit)
• Download for Windows 8 and 7 (64-bit)
• Download for Windows 10 (32-bit)

by Khronos Group. The next generation API aims to deliver a better programming interface that allows more access to the hardware available on various platforms which include PCs, Smartphones and Consoles. After facing a short delay, the fully open source, cross platform, Vulkan API is now available with latest drivers pouring in from graphics card makers to support the OpenGL"s successor.

NVIDIA's Special Vulkan Drivers For GeForce Graphics Cards Offers Full Support For Next Generation API

The Vulkan API is the successor to the OpenGL API and a rival to the Metal API from Apple and DirectX 12 API from Microsoft. The Vulkan API pushes for reduced API overhead and optimized multi-core and multi-threaded performance on current and upcoming hardware. The API is going to be the direct competitor to Microsoft's DirectX 12 API which is also going to see wide-scale usage in 2016. While DirectX 12 is limited to Microsoft's Windows OS, Vulkan API has the edge of having cross platform and cross vendor support.

Vulkan on the other hand can work on multiple OS which range from Windows (XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10), Linux, SteamOS, Android. Also unlike Mantle, Vulkan will be able to run multiple GPUs from various vendors allowing a wider more support than any previous API. Another leverage over previous APIs is that Vulkan adopts the first open standard cross-API intermediate language for parallel compute and graphics known as SPIR-V, allowing developers to write programs for Vulkan in their own choice of programming language.

“The Vulkan API enables developers to get the best from NVIDIA GPUs, and we are proud of our role in its development,” says Tony Tamasi, senior vice president of content and technology, NVIDIA. “We are making Vulkan drivers available for Windows, Linux, and Android platforms, on the same day as the specification launch, and we’ll continue our work within Khronos to ensure Vulkan evolves to meet industry needs.”

NVIDIA had previously announced full support for the Vulkan API and today they have launched their latest drivers for Windows and Linux OS which adds support for the API on Kepler and Maxwell based GeForce cards so that users can have support for latest and upcoming titles that utilize the new API from the start. One such title is The Talos Principle which utilizes the Vulkan API and showcases the performance enhancement added through it. You can check out the game on Steam.

Vulkan, a new graphics application programming interface, launched today. With a simpler, thinner driver, and efficient CPU multi-threading capabilities, Vulkan has less latency and overhead than OpenGL or Direct3D, and can help your system reach new levels of performance. In simpler terms, Vulkan can help developers avoid CPU bottlenecks that limit performance, and can improve performance elsewhere, too.

If you’re a GeForce GTX gamer, simply download this special Vulkan driver and you can try the new API today in The Talos Principle, a critically-acclaimed puzzle game that’s been upgraded with Vulkan support. via GeForce

The latest drivers for NVIDIA graphics cards are now available. Windows driver version 356.39 and Linux driver version 355.00.26 provide support for the Vulkan 1.0 API. It should be noted that the drivers published by Intel, NVIDIA and Qualcomm have passed the conformance tests for Windows and Linux while the BETA drivers that AMD launched haven"t passed the tests. You can find additional details in the following post by NVIDIA :

Vulkan Beta Driver Release Notes:

You will need any one of the following Kepler or Maxwell (both first and second generation Maxwell) based GPUs to get access to Vulkan functionality:

• Quadro Series: Quadro M6000, Quadro M5000, Quadro M4000, Quadro K6000, Quadro K5200, Quadro K5000, Quadro K4000, Quadro K4200, Quadro K2200, Quadro K2000, Quadro K2000D, Quadro K1200, Quadro K620, Quadro K420
• Quadro Series (Notebooks): Quadro K5100M, Quadro K5000M, Quadro K4100M, Quadro K4000M, Quadro K3100M, Quadro K2200M, Quadro K2100M, Quadro K3000M, Quadro K2000M, Quadro K1100M, Quadro K1000M, Quadro K620M, Quadro K610M, Quadro K510M, Quadro K500M
• GeForce 900 Series: GeForce GTX TITAN X, GeForce GTX 980 Ti, GeForce GTX 980, GeForce GTX 970, GeForce GTX 960, GeForce GTX 950
• GeForce 700 Series: GeForce GTX TITAN Z, GeForce GTX TITAN Black, GeForce GTX TITAN, GeForce GTX 780 Ti, GeForce GTX 780, GeForce GTX 770, GeForce GTX 760, GeForce GTX 760 Ti (OEM), GeForce GTX 750 Ti, GeForce GTX 750, GeForce GTX 745, GeForce GT 740, GeForce GT 730, GeForce GT 720, GeForce GT 710, GeForce GT 705
• GeForce 600 Series: GeForce GTX 690, GeForce GTX 680, GeForce GTX 670, GeForce GTX 660 Ti, GeForce GTX 660, GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST, GeForce GTX 650 Ti, GeForce GTX 650, GeForce GTX 645, GeForce GT 645, GeForce GT 640, GeForce GT 630

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Vulcan Runtime Libraries - libraries that appeared in the latest versions of official drivers for NVIDIA video cards. As the name suggests, they are needed to add support for the universal graphics API - Vulkan - to Windows. The libraries are also distributed separately from the GPU software, but cannot work without installing the latter.

Purpose

VRLs ensure that graphics commands are executed correctly in compatible applications. Libraries are also necessary for developers planning to implement Vulkan technology in their projects. By the way, the versatility of the interface allows you to use it only to create games for Windows, but also mobile applications for iOS and Android operating systems that use 3D graphics.

About the Vulkan API

This interface has replaced the outdated OpenGL. It supports some modern games - Doom (2016), The Talos Principle, Get Even and so on. Considering the fact that Vulcan makes it possible to achieve maximum performance from the CPU and GPU, we can assume that in the future the API will be implemented in many games. At a minimum, this is evidenced by the fact that popular engines are gradually acquiring interface support. For example - Source 2 and id Tech.

In addition to increased performance, which is especially noticeable on older hardware, the interface also provides greater detail.

Installation

Installation of VulkanRT occurs automatically. The installer independently checks for the presence of other versions of libraries installed on the computer and, if any, removes them first. The VulkanRT package can also be uninstalled using standard Windows system tools.

Key Features

• ensure correct execution of Vulkan API graphical commands;
• libraries are included in the latest versions of drivers for NVIDIA video cards;
• compatible with all modern GPU models and versions of Windows;
• are installed automatically;
• available completely free of charge.

It was replaced by DirectX 12. However, there is another graphics API other than DirectX. This is the Vulkan API, developed by AMD and Khronos Group. Today the first specifications of version 1.0 appeared, and, consequently, a new ratified beta driver.

The main purpose of creating the Vulkan API is similar to that of the Mantle API. The goal is to gain greater control over the performance, efficiency, and capabilities of GPUs and multi-core CPUs so that developers can get more out of existing hardware. The creators tried to rid the new software of known bottlenecks as much as possible. However, such features come with dangers, and developers must be very clear about what they want when working with memory, for example. Thus, the OpenGL interface, which was lost in the background of DirectX, should now win back some attention.

Vulkan API version 1.0 is supported on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Android and Linux. Exactly which games are currently being developed with the new API have not yet been announced, but this information may be revealed at the Games Developer Conference, which will be held from May 14 to 18 in San Francisco. The Source 2 engine is currently the only engine that integrates the new Vulkan API. Valve, Codeplay and LunarG are already working on debugging tools, so we can expect the necessary improvements.

The development of the Vulkan API fell primarily on the shoulders of the Khronos Group, with AMD participating in the process more as an observer, and it is not surprising that the first beta driver came from the pen of the Radeon Technologies Group, with Radeon Software to follow. The head of Radeon Technologies Group, Raja Koduri, said about the innovation:

“The release of the Vulkan 1.0 specification is a big step forward for developers. The Vulkan API library, derived from Mantle, will provide the benefits of a low-cost, high-performance graphics API library suitable for cross-platform applications built for multi-vendor products. Advancing open and scalable technologies continues to be a core focus for AMD as a leader in creating low-cost API libraries. As a member of the Khronos group, AMD is proud to work with software and hardware leaders to create the Vulkan API for the next evolution of PC gaming development.”

Benefits of asynchronous shaders with the Vulkan API

You can download the Vulkan API documentation and the corresponding SDK drivers

AMD Radeon 16.15.2401.1001 Beta (Vulkan)

Package Contents
The AMD Radeon Software Beta for Vulkan contains the following:

• AMD Radeon Software Beta for Vulkan Version 16.15.2401.1001 Public Vulkan Beta

NOTE:
This driver is not intended for use on AMD products running in Apple Boot Camp platforms. Users of these platforms should contact their system manufacturer for driver support.

When installing the AMD Radeon Software Beta for Vulkan on the Windows operating system, the user must be logged on as Administrator, or have Administrator rights to complete the installation of the AMD Radeon Software Beta for Vulkan.

The AMD Radeon Software Beta for Vulkan requires Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to be installed.

Known Issues

• Windows re-sizing in some applications may cause an application crash
• HDMI and DP to DVI adapters on Windows 7 may intermittently cause display issues
• Some AMD PowerXpress systems may experience flickering in some applications

AMD Issue Reporting Form

This driver release incorporates suggestions received through the AMD Issue Reporting Form. To provide us with your feedback, visit the AMD Issue Reporting Form.

Compatible Operating Systems

AMD Radeon Software Beta for Vulkan is designed to support the following Microsoft Windows platforms:

• Windows 10 (32 & 64-bit version)
• Windows 8.1 (32 & 64-bit version)
• Windows 7 (32 & 64-bit version with SP1 or higher)