Version 3.0 also adds a rewrite of the DXBC shader backend for the translation tool. This reportedly fixes a ton of issues the legacy vkd3d-shader path suffered from, and allows some previously broken games to run in Proton. The DXBC shader backend rewrite also means the DXVK and VKD3D-Proton translation tools share the same DXBC front end, making it easier to work with each tool's underlying code. (As a refresher, DXVK translates DX8 to DX11 code to Vulkan, while VKD3D-Proton only translates DX12 to Vulkan.)
Another cool addition implemented in this latest update is experimental support for Work Graphs . This technology is very new and can significantly enhance the efficiency of a game's 3D rendering pipeline, depending on how work graphs are implemented. For example, AMD engineers were able to drop the required VRAM capacity of 3D-rendered trees from 38 GB to just 52 KB (yes, kilobytes) with the help of work graphs.
Proton can now emulate work graphs in DirectX 12 games, but it is experimental. Hilariously, the patch notes state emulation work graphs can "massively outperform" native driver performance in many scenarios the devs have tested.
There are dozens of additional fixes and workarounds for games in the patch notes. Proton continues to get updates after updates, making Linux gaming faster, smoother, and more reliable when running Windows-based games in Linux. Proton is developed and maintained by Valve and is the compatibility layer used by SteamOS, the Steam Deck , and the Steam Machine .
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Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/vulkan-to-directx-12-translation-tool-used-in-valves-proton-now-supports-amds-fsr4-and-anti-lag-while-nvidias-dlss4-remains-unsupported-fsr4-now-also-works-on-older-gpus-vkd3d-proton-v3-0-brings-other-performance-improvements#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
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