DXVK[github.com] is a Vulkan-based translation layer that, among other things, translates Direct3D 11 (D3D11) calls of DirectX 11-based games into Vulkan. The intention of this tool is to allow Windows-based games to run on Linux, but due to the way DXVK is implemented (as regular Windows-style DLL files), although not intended, it can be used on Windows as well.

Although rare DXVK have in some games allowed Windows users to benefit from additional performance made possible by Vulkan working around performance limitations either in the game code itself or native D3D11 related calls, such as with Assassin's Creed: Origins.[www.pcgamingwiki.com]

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is the latest title to benefit from this approach, and can see performance improvements ranging from ~20% all the way up to and above 100% depending on the specific in-game scene and resolution being used.

For any user experiencing lackluster framerates or performance, it is worth giving DXVK a shot as it might improve the gaming experience.

See the Comparison section further down for examples.

Note that the Steam Overlay might become non-functioning while using DXVK which can prevent controllers handled through Steam Input from working properly. Xbox and DualShock 4 (PS4) controllers can be solved by forcing Steam Input off for the game, see step 6.

1. Download the latest archive[github.com] of DXVK (usually named dxvk-1.X.Y.tar.gz).
   
   
2. Open the archive in an archive manager such as 7-Zip[www.7-zip.org] or WinRAR[www.rarlab.com].
   
   
3. Navigate to the x32 subfolder of the archive.
   
   
4. Extract dxgi.dll and d3d11.dll to the root of the game folder.
   
   
5. And that is it -- DXVK is now installed and being used by the game!
   
   
6. If you use an Xbox or DualShock 4 (PS4) controller and have controller support enabled in Steam for this type of controllers you also need to do the following:
   
   
   1. Right click on the game in the Steam Library and select Properties.
      
      
   2. Change "Steam Input Per-Game Setting" setting to Forced Off.
      
      
      • This option does not work when using a DualShock 4 (PS4) connected over Bluetooth. Please disable PlayStation Configuration Support globally instead through Steam > View > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings.
      
      Disabling Steam Input for the game will prevent Steam from trying (and failing) to override controller support in the game through the Steam Overlay and instead rely on the native support of the game for Xbox and DualShock 4 (PS4) controller types.

The difference in performance from using DXVK changes depending on the scene, but overall there seems to be an improvement across the board regardless of scene. Lowest improvement in I have seen so far is a ~20% improvement.

The below comparisons was captured on a GTX 1080 Ti and i7 8700K.

FXAA is disabled.

• D3D11 ~45 FPS
  
  
• DXVK ~60 FPS (+33%)
  

• D3D11 ~70 FPS
  
  
• DXVK ~170 FPS (+142%)
  

Simply remove dxgi.dll and d3d11.dll from the game folder.