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Direct x12 vs performance mode: which is best for gaming?

DirectX 12 vs Performance Mode | Gamers Share Insights on Best Choices

By

Sarah Mitchell

May 17, 2025, 10:52 AM

Edited By

Emma Collins

Updated

May 17, 2025, 12:48 PM

2 minutes of duration

A gaming setup showing a PC with a graphics card labeled MSI RTX 5070, displaying Fortnite gameplay with options for DirectX12 and Performance Mode, highlighting FPS stability.

Fortnite Graphics Settings Under Scrutiny

As 2025 progresses, the discussion surrounding Fortniteโ€™s graphics settings heats up, especially as many players return to the game after a long hiatus. Hardware upgrades featuring MSI RTX 5070 Gaming Trio OC and Ryzen 5 9600x spark inquiries about the optimal performance settings, particularly between DirectX 12 (DX12) and Performance Mode.

Gamers Split on Rendering Preferences

Several players are expressing mixed experiences when switching modes. One gamer with a 2070 Super and i7-10700K reported, "I get the best frames and input delay on Performance Mode but experience random stutters. Switching to DX12 was playable, but the visual clutter was unbearable."

Others had different stories, with one highlighting that "Performance is the only way to play Fortnite on PC with stable FPS." Stability seems to be a major concern across the board.

Interestingly, users discussing both modes noted that while Performance Mode often delivers lower framesโ€”"Around 200 FPS while itโ€™s 550 on Performance Mode"โ€”it still offers better responsiveness. Another player stated, "DX12 runs smoother, fewer stutters, but there's slightly more input delay."

Key Themes Emerging from Discussions

  1. Stability Issues

    • Many players are experiencing freezes and stutters with Performance Mode.

    • DX12 shows more stable performance, particularly for non-AMD systems.

  2. Understanding of Graphics Settings

    • Some gamers are tweaking settings, including enabling Nvidia Low Latency + Boost, which reportedly minimizes input delays across different modes.

  3. Perceived Performance Over Raw Frames

    • Players are increasingly prioritizing smooth gameplay over sheer FPS numbers.

"It feels better than 360 FPS ever did in DX12," noted a user, emphasizing their preference for responsiveness over metrics.

Insights Gleaned from the Community:

โœ”๏ธ Players switching modes experience a mix of stability and performance trade-offs.

๐Ÿ”ถ Many confirm that apparent input delays can diminish gameplay quality.

โ— "As long as you donโ€™t have an AMD GPU, Performance mode is a net negative," remarked one contributor.

With these reports, itโ€™s clear that user configuration is paramount. As the gaming community shares insights, will these experiences shape preferences for future interactions with Fortnite? Keep an eye on the forums as discussions continue to evolve!

Stay tuned for more updates and insights from gaming forums as this story develops!