Rainbow Six Siege: Should You Use Vulkan Or Normal?

Optimize your experience by differentiating between Vulkan vs Normal while launching to play!

Rainbow Six Siege provides two launchers, one being the Normal and the other being the Vulkan launcher. The difference between the two is slightly puzzling, but there are advantages depending on your system.  But the confusing question that mostly arises is of Vulkan vs Normal when launching Rainbow Six Siege.

Key Takeaways
  • When Launching Rainbow Six Siege, you have two choices between graphic APIs: DX11 and Vulkan.
  • Vulkan generally has better performance for newer GPUs.
  • Players with older graphic cards mostly use DirectX but still provide significantly better gameplay.

Vulkan vs Normal

vulkan vs normal rainbow six siege
Launching Rainbow Six Siege and Selecting Vulkan or Normal [Image by Me]
Players with newer GPUs should consider using Vulkan, whereas players with older GPUs should consider using DirectX.

Vulkan − Best For Newer GPUs

It was originally developed by Mantle and AMD but later on given to the Khronos Group; Vulkan is a new generation high-efficiency API used in computing. 

Vulkan offers efficient CPU and GPU usage, providing lower-level API for applications and allowing users to take full advantage of modern multi-core CPUs. Vulkan provides control over GPU resources, allowing users to utilize them efficiently.

Vulkan supports close-to-metal control, enabling faster performance and image quality, which is why it is recommended for newer Graphic cards.

DX11 − Best For Older GPUs

Created by Microsoft, DX11 was a way of representing Microsoft’s efforts to make Windows more gaming-friendly. It simplified the game development process by offering a consistent interface for graphics across various platforms. DirectX, being a standard API of Windows, allows developers to create games that can run on older GPUs.

DirectX being compatible with its older versions shows that even with older GPUs, you may miss a few improvements related to the update but can still get a good gaming experience.

Vulkan vs Normal: What Is The Difference?

Differences and comparisons between the two APIs can be useful for players to decide which one to use:

VulkanDirectX11
Better optimization.Balanced performance.
Reduces CPU overhead.Best for low-spec PCs.
Smooth Gameplay.Outdated but stills performs well in modern games.
May not be as effective on some platforms.Compatibility issues.
Requires up-to-date Graphic drivers.Reduces framerate.
Puts load on the GPU.Insufficient in handling some graphic tasks.
Best for newer GPUs.Best for older GPUs.

Performance depends on your GPU, Newer for Vulkan, and Older for DX11 in Rainbow Six Siege. Now that you know which launcher to use, find out the best settings for your PC to improve the overall performance. Knowing the Best Defenders and Attackers can also help you win the matches.

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Arham is a Guides Writer at eXputer with a penchant for exploring new realms in gaming. He loves conquering major AAA titles like Elden Ring, The Witcher 3, and Cyberpunk. He has also accumulated 300+ hours on Valorant! Arham is dedicated to aiding fellow gamers on their quests by curating guides through his personal experience. Feel free to get in touch with Arham on his gaming profiles on Steam and Xbox.

Experience: 1+ Years || Mainly Covers Guides.

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