Apparently, a lot of users, in particular, all those who prefer to use a computer to install and play modern resource-intensive games, know that in the graphics settings you can use special tools to speed up image output and improve the quality of an OpenGL or DirectX picture. What is better to use to make full use of all the hidden resources of a computer system and achieve maximum performance? This question is quite controversial, and it is usually usually not possible to answer clearly in favor of a single platform, since everything depends on the specific goal that the user or developer sets for himself, as well as on each specific situation, which may partially be connected with “ hardware ”hardware in the form of a graphics accelerator, its software support in the form of drivers and some additional aspects. Let's try to figure out which is better - OpenGL or DirectX - by referring to official sources of information, and relying on the opinions of users and developers of software that may require support for such technologies.
What are OpenGL and DirectX?
To begin with, there is an erroneous opinion among ordinary users that these two described components are graphic engines. This begs the incorrect questions about which engine is better - OpenGL or DirectX?
The fact is that these platforms only partially relate to these engines, since they are exclusively software that allows the program engine of the program (game) to interact with the installed equipment (most often with video and sound cards) through their drivers, which act as intermediaries. In fact, OpenGL and DirectX are part of the application programming interfaces with the necessary sets of libraries, classes, definitions, structures, constants and functions used to ensure work with external software products installed in the operating system.
What are these technologies used for?
Naturally, you can often find questions about which graphics are better - OpenGL or DirectX? This statement is also partially incorrect, since we can talk not only about utilizing the resources of video cards, but also sound or any other “iron” and virtual multimedia devices. But most often it is really about graphics accelerators. At the same time, it must be clearly understood that the choice in favor of one or another "bridge" that ensures the interaction of the video card with the installed game or any other program, where necessary, may depend on how mandatory such support is.
In modern games with complex textures and thoroughly painted dynamic scenes, such support is extremely necessary. But the problem is that not all graphics accelerators can correctly use such support. In this case, it all depends on the drivers. If the card is any trendy, but with outdated control software (drivers), it will not be able to use all the features that were originally announced by the manufacturer. Nevertheless, in most games or in programs for working with multimedia (for example, for video processing) it is very often necessary to choose which support to install in the settings by contrasting one platform to another (in the English version this usually looks like “OpenGL vs DirectX”) .
The main differences between DirectX and OpenGL
As for the main differences, without going into the technical aspects of functioning, it can immediately be noted that the DirectX platform, which is an exclusive development of Microsoft Corporation, is intended exclusively for use in Windows-systems and partially on Xbox, and OpenGL is a freely distributed cross-platform technology applicable in other operating systems (even mobile). The GNU license allows anyone who wants to make their own changes and additions to the components of this API to improve it in order to improve the performance of the same video cards, while DirectX improvements will only have to wait as new versions of the platform become available. At the same time, even with the newest drivers, when used on older versions of the bridge, graphics accelerators do not give out the indicators declared by the manufacturer.
Main advantages and disadvantages
Speaking about which is better - OpenGL or DirectX 11 (12), it is worth noting separately that the first platform is intended only for graphics, and the second can be used generally for everything related to multimedia (Direct3D component is responsible for graphics in this case) .
In addition, many experts note that in a very high degree the choice in favor of a particular bridge may depend on the type of graphic card. But, if you approach the comparison with an open mind, it is believed that OpenGL looks better in terms of platform coverage, but DirectX wins in terms of what it is as a finished software product like the Plug & Play class. However, do not forget that the DirectX toolkit of the latest versions is already available in OpenGL, but there is no reverse support.
OpenGL or DirectX: which is better for games?
As for the games, there is no single answer. So, for example, quite often you can find comments about the fact that the graphics chips of the Radeon 9800 line show the best test results based on DirectX, and the GeForce 5XXX series cards - when using OpenGL. But DirectX has another indisputable advantage.
Since the OpenGL bridge was originally created for other platforms, various kinds of bugs are possible with it on Windows, but DirectX allows you to use games fairly fairly even on relatively outdated computers without any inhibitions (the game Age Of Empires is a vivid example).
It happens and vice versa. For example, some users note that DOOM 3 on the Radeon X1XXX series cards using OpenGL simply “flies”, and Half-Life 2 very often “slows down”. But here, apparently, everything also depends on the drivers.
But, by and large, if the game supports the use of both technologies, it is best to see what the result of the video card will be when using each mode alternately. It goes without saying that to achieve optimal performance both the platforms themselves and the graphics accelerator drivers must be updated to the latest versions.
What is better for BlueStacks: DirectX or OpenGL?
Quite often you can meet questions about the use of one of the most popular emulators of Android-systems called BlueStacks. Which platform should BlueStacks choose - OpenGL or DirectX? Alas, there is no single answer.
However, it is tacitly believed that if you install games through this emulator, it is better to use OpenGL, but if the game slows down, then you will have to switch to DirectX. But, again, all this applies only to game graphics. In the case of professional processing and rendering of the video, you will have to seriously experiment.
Recommendations to developers
Finally, if we talk about which is better - OpenGL or DirectX - for a developer who is just starting to master these technologies and takes the first steps, most specialists in this field say that at first it is better to get acquainted with the principles of operation and the DirectX toolkit, since this platform It looks simpler for a beginner, and good SDKs are constantly being produced for her, designed just to simplify the adaptation of software products to hardware, and only then proceed to study OpenGL.
However, a lot can depend on what ultimate goal you set for yourself and what specific functionality of each platform will be used in each specific case (only graphics, only sound or some kind of combined solutions).
Brief conclusions
Summing up, as is already clear, it is rather difficult to make an unambiguous conclusion in favor of one or another component. Between these platforms is ongoing competition. Sometimes a new version of DirectX is ahead of OpenGL in its parameters, but as it becomes obsolete, as well as introduces some innovations into OpenGL, it starts to lose. In general, when choosing, one should start exclusively from the well-known principle that truth is known in comparison. Try both! Only after obtaining specific results and for each specific case it will be clear which side of the scale your choice will lean.