AMD Mantle API

[Cedaway]

I've read several articles discussing about the new low-level API from AMD: Mantle.

 

It's said it could be interesting and efficient to augment the performances of our graphic cards. More accurately, the API might unleash the power of our GPU to their top level.

 

There is an article explaining that in detail. HERE

 

Do you, ED, are looking forward this solution?

In some articles, it is said that this technology could be available to other GPU than AMD's, so NVidia and Intel could also profit this tech. The goal is to blow up the limitations of MS DirectX.

 

There is an article (in french but slides in it are in english) about the game engine 'Nitrous', based on Mantle saying that the application running in it has massive FPS improvement. Mantle sounds to be particularly designed for real multithread operations.

 

I'm neither programmer nor coder so I don't know if it is feasible but my question is: Is it possible to consider this solution to increase the perfs of DCS engine?

[Pepec9124]

ED was working few years on EDGE, I don't think they will be using Mantle anytime soon.

 

 

Interesting quote from article:

 

"On R290X, Still GPU Bound even when 8350fx is underclocked to 2 ghz"

 

It is like API designed to be scalable and to be more GPU consuming.

Edited November 22, 2013 by Pepec9124

[trooph]

ED was working few years on EDGE, I don't think they will be using Mantle anytime soon.

 

 

Interesting quote from article:

 

"On R290X, Still GPU Bound even when 8350fx is underclocked to 2 ghz"

 

It is like API designed to be scalable and to be more GPU consuming.

 

Actually, if i remember correctly, Linus said something that implementing Mantle is like 2 months for one person to code in...

But dont quote me on this...:)

Would be great to have mantle support but probably we wont see it.

[Cedaway]

ED was working few years on EDGE, I don't think they will be using Mantle anytime soon.

 

From what I understood, it's not a question of abandoning the rendering engine but to ADAPT it so that it can address instructions to the Mantle API instead of Dx.

[Pepec9124]

From what I understood, it's not a question of abandoning the rendering engine but to ADAPT it so that it can address instructions to the Mantle API instead of Dx.

 

Let us have EDGE first, shall we :music_whistling:

[SkateZilla]

Mantle API/SDK Allows Developers to Bypass Using DirectX API and Convert the Rendering Engine to Communicate Directly with the Graphics Hardware, which reduces CPU Overhead and DirectX Limitations.

[theGozr]

I have doubt about EDGE..

[Bucic]

Actually, if i remember correctly, Linus said something that implementing Mantle is like 2 months for one person to code in...

But dont quote me on this...:)

Would be great to have mantle support but probably we wont see it.

Correct regarding the manpower required.

 

There's quite a few new presentations on Mantle. What is striking even to non-professionals is that most of the presentations are by actual game developers, talking about actual Mantle implementations and how Mantle has actually moved DX out of the way. And that's not a British actually ;)

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/amd/search?query=mantle

 

 

Not strictly gaming-related:

On a side note, a similar process is ongoing with Linux's Wayland to replace the ridiculously vintage and in-the-way Xorg. I guess we've approached a time of cleaning up with... some hope that, as rarely as it happens, technologically superior implementations will replace the inferior ones.

[Dr. Yes]

About time. Looks like my next video card is going to be Radeon.

 

And from what I can see, it can be put into EDGE without too much trouble. If it can give DCS World that much of a boost in FPS I certainly say GO FOR IT! Then we could increase the graphics much more and lure in more players.

Edited January 5, 2014 by Dr. Yes

[danilop]

And Nvidia will put out competing API if Mantle start to grab too much attention ...

 

Great, we will have API war and God knows what Microsoft will do in that situation ... not good :cry:

[pacotito]

Mantle is supposedly going to be compatible with non amd cards. So business wise it would probably be more profitable for NVIDIA to jump on the mantle bandwagon. With the consoles being amd most developers would probably use amd optimized code. Since most pc games are console ports I dont see big developers spending extra money to port to PC then optimize for a nvidia API when the majority of the work would be done if using mantle across the consoles and PC. Unless of course nvidia can make an API that was much better than mantle.

Edited January 5, 2014 by pacotito

[Dr. Yes]

Nvidia better get on the bandwagon, cause I'm really an Nvidia fan. But hey, I go with who does the best work, and right now its AMD by a mile.

 

And personally, I'm glad there's going to be an API war. That's how it was in the old days, and it caused competition, brought down prices, and pushed technology. All these companies have become way too complacent. Like their monopolies.

[danilop]

Mantle is supposedly going to be compatible with non amd cards. So business wise it would probably be more profitable for NVIDIA to jump on the mantle bandwagon. With the consoles being amd most developers would probably use amd optimized code. Since most pc games are console ports I dont see big developers spending extra money to port to PC then optimize for a nvidia API when the majority of the work would be done if using mantle across the consoles and PC. Unless of course nvidia can make an API that was much better than mantle.

 

Well, there is no chance that nVidia would even consider supporting Mantle - it is true that Mantle is an open API (very smart strategic and PR move from the AMD), however it's obvious that beeing AMD made, their cards will have an edge in the Mantle powered games. NVIDIA will not play AMD game. It would mean admitting to AMD superiority.

 

So, new Windows based API from nVidia is almost certain. I wouldn't be surprised if they are quietly working on it as of now.

 

Regarding consoles - it seems that most of them are slowly dying anyway, only the Sony is still going strong. There is a new "console" in the making and this can be potentially huge. Steam BOX. It runs on repackaged Linux and nVidia is exclusive Valve partner. If it all goes well, linux gaming may be the next big thing.

 

We had API war before, and the result was truce with standardization in form of the Microsoft DX API. Now, DX is loosing pace on the modern GPU hardware. The two remaining GPU giants are loosing patience over Microsoft DX. It seems that we need new all out API war to finally move Microsoft into action. If nothing happens, we could see major shift towards Linux as a PC OS of choice for gaming, which I personally have been waiting for ages.

Edited January 5, 2014 by danilop

[phant]

Mantle Resources for Beta-Registered Developers

 

 

The Mantle NDA Developer SDK website is open to professional game developers that are interested in evaluating and developing games with the Mantle API.

 

 

Bye

Phant

[jctrnacty]

MS should release DX12 asap and include physics support. I think that MAntle will die just like glide did back in times.

[joey45]

Mantle Resources for Beta-Registered Developers

 

Mmmmi wonder if it's open to student studios???

[sobek]

They'd be stupid if it wasn't. That's the way to get developers hooked, while they are still flexible regarding their tools.

[sobek]

MS should release DX12 asap and include physics support. I think that MAntle will die just like glide did back in times.

 

Depends largely on if DX12 can reduce the overhead.

[cichlidfan]

Mmmmi wonder if it's open to student studios???

 

They'd be stupid if it wasn't. That's the way to get developers hooked, while they are still flexible regarding their tools.

 

I would not count on it.

 

The Mantle NDA Developer SDK website is open to professional game developers that are interested in evaluating and developing games with the Mantle API. Only a limited set of developers are provided access to the Mantle NDA Developer SDK and access is subject to a selection process. To register your interest please send an email to mantleaccess [at] amd [dot] com with the following information:

 

Name of company

Name and email of contact point for Mantle access

Game title(s) or codenames for which you are interested to evaluate Mantle for

Reasons for requesting Mantle access

[sobek]

I would not count on it.

 

Well then that is stupid. :)

 

It's still early in it's lifecycle though, so who knows how this will all pan out?

[Bucic]

OpenGL API is broken

[SkateZilla]

Mantle is supposedly going to be compatible with non amd cards. So business wise it would probably be more profitable for NVIDIA to jump on the mantle bandwagon. With the consoles being amd most developers would probably use amd optimized code. Since most pc games are console ports I dont see big developers spending extra money to port to PC then optimize for a nvidia API when the majority of the work would be done if using mantle across the consoles and PC. Unless of course nvidia can make an API that was much better than mantle.

 

It'd be cheaper to hold out for DX12, than to wait for AMD to fix non GCM Mantle issues,.

[Bucic]

An AMD rep said that Mantle is now ready for a broader audience in the developer community after reaching the necessary stability, performance and functionality milestones.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/amd-gpu-mantle-mullins-beema,26689.html