The latest update for the Direct3D to Vulkan translation layer, DXVK 3.1, is now available. This release focuses on squashing bugs and addressing performance regressions following the major 3.0 update released last month.

As a core component of Valve’s Proton, DXVK is essential for running Windows titles on Linux and SteamOS, including the Steam Deck. While users can wait for these improvements to be bundled into official Proton releases, those looking for immediate fixes can manually update their DXVK version by consulting the GamingOnLinux guide.

Key Bug Fixes and Technical Improvements

The 3.1 release introduces several adjustments aimed at stability and hardware compatibility:

  • Desktop GPU Optimizations: Secondary command buffer usage is now disabled on all desktop GPUs. While this might slightly impact performance in games with specific MSAA patterns, it eliminates frequent rendering issues and GPU hangs.
  • D3D9 Rendering: A regression affecting games like Black Mesa, Gothic 3, and GTA IV on certain drivers has been resolved.
  • Stability Fixes: The update addresses a crash that occurred when games unloaded D3D libraries while the device remained active, and fixes stuttering issues on 32-bit Nvidia drivers using descriptor heaps.
  • Unity Engine Support: GPU synchronization around stream output has been improved, which should benefit older Unity Engine titles using D3D11.

Specific Game Improvements

Beyond general engine updates, version 3.1 includes targeted fixes for a variety of specific titles:

  • Empire Earth 2: Fixed issues with certain fixed-function setups.
  • Fallout 3: Resolved a shader compiler regression that caused rendering problems when using MSAA.
  • Fruit Ninja: Fixed a long-standing lighting issue.
  • Kane & Lynch: Dead Men & King's Bounty: The Legend: Resolved severe performance regressions for both titles.
  • Manhunt: Now enforces a 60 FPS limit to prevent game-logic issues.
  • Splinter Cell 3: Fixed a rendering regression when the Shader Model 3.0 option is enabled.
  • Total War: Medieval II: Corrected a water rendering regression.

Note for Intel Users: Developers have implemented a workaround for a Windows-specific Intel driver bug that caused game hangs when graphics pipeline libraries were enabled. Additionally, an issue discovered in the ANV driver may lead to GPU hangs in D3D9 games on Intel Alchemist GPUs and older. As a temporary fix, DXVK now enables descriptor buffers by default on these GPUs, though this may result in lower performance. Users are strongly advised to keep their graphics drivers updated.