Microsoft introduced DirectX Dump Files in public preview, allowing developers to get their hands on the newest feature aimed at making GPU crash debugging easier.
Microsoft DirectX Dump Files Help Developers Debug GPU Crashes More Efficiently
Historically, debugging GPU-related crashes in video games has been a headache for developers. With the dizzying amount of possible combinations of hardware, drivers, and OS versions, and the fact that reproducing crashes in the first place is tough, the whole process is a struggle.
That's why Microsoft has been working on a cross-vendor solution to GPU debugging for some time now. By collaborating on compatible drivers with all 4 graphics hardware providers (that is, AMD, Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm), as well as development efforts on the DirectX runtime, Windows graphics kernel, and Microsoft's 'PIX' profiling tool, Dump Files was born.
How Do Dump Files Work, And When Will They Be Available?
Microsoft DirectX Dump Files work by snapshotting GPU execution at the exact instant of a crash, which includes data like GPU state, driver data, Direct3D runtime context, and software data. All of this gets packaged into a single file, which can be analyzed further using PIX. But to get the full suite of metrics and data, vendors must develop drivers with support for the feature; otherwise, you only get a partial dump, which lacks hardware-specific data like GPU state and driver data.
Microsoft has also defined three operating modes for Dump Files: NO_OVERHEAD, MEDIUM_OVERHEAD, and HIGH_OVERHEAD. The first mode takes a snapshot at the exact instant of the crash, which means there is little to no runtime overhead with running telemetry, but limits the amount of data that can be collected. MEDIUM_OVERHEAD offers a balance between runtime performance impact and data collection, while HIGH_OVERHEAD is the heaviest operating mode, but captures the most detailed GPU and driver state data available.
Currently, Microsoft DirectX Dump Files are a preview feature and not intended to be used in retail games. The idea is to let developers get their hands on the feature, as well as give vendors time to roll out driver updates. Therefore, the Agility SDK for Dump Files is only accessible in Developer Mode. Microsoft has stated that retail support for the feature should be expected around Fall 2026.
AMD Is The First To Publicly Support Dump Files With Its Agility SDK Preview Driver 26.10.07.02
Although all four vendors showcased working Dump File demos at GDC 2026, AMD is the first to support it for public preview, with their Agility SDK 'Developer Preview' Driver 26.10.07.02. This driver brings support for the feature to RX 9000 and RX 7000 series graphics cards, although currently only the HIGH_OVERHEAD mode is supported.
Apart from that, AMD specifies support for what seems to be the complete suite of Dump Files' features, down to extended PIX markers (annotations to add more application context to GPU crashes), and DebugBreak(), the direct function call to create a dump file when a shader encounters an unexpected condition.
Currently, Nvidia, Intel, and Qualcomm don't have a publicly available preview driver for Dump Files. Perhaps we'll see support for the feature get integrated directly into the mainline driver branches for each vendor in the near future. Regardless, this continues a promising trend of AMD providing earlier public support for new DirectX features introduced by Microsoft, like Advanced Shader Delivery.
About the author: Rayan is an aspiring Computer Engineer, currently pursuing his undergraduate studies. He built his first computer in the pandemic, and has been hooked on the hobby ever since. He brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and technical know-how to his articles, which include everything from detailed instructional guides to performance comparisons in wccftech hardware section. When not stressing out over finals or writing articles, you can find him reading fantasy books or hitting the gym.
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