Pro Tip: If your Feature Level is
11_0or11_1, you are limited to Shader Model 5.0. You need a newer graphics card.
Important Note: You cannot download Shader Model 6.0 as a standalone file or installer. It is a feature of DirectX 12 and the Windows 10 OS itself. If your game or software asks for it, you only need to update Windows and your GPU drivers.
Q: Is Shader Model 6.0 backward compatible with older GPUs?
A: No. If your GPU does not support SM 6.0 in hardware, no driver or software update can add it.
Q: Can I install Shader Model 6.0 on Windows 7 or 8.1?
A: No. Shader Model 6.0 is exclusive to DirectX 12, which requires Windows 10 or Windows 11. Shader Model 6.0 Download Windows 10 64 Bit
Q: What’s newer than Shader Model 6.0?
A: Shader Model 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, and 6.8 are available in newer Windows 10 updates and Windows 11. They add features like ray tracing (DXR), mesh shaders, and sampler feedback.
Q: How do I check my DirectX version on Windows 10 64-bit?
A: Run dxdiag. Under the System tab, look for DirectX Version: DirectX 12.
Shader Model 6.0 is a major revision of Microsoft’s High-Level Shader Language (HLSL). It was introduced alongside DirectX 12 and the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709) in October 2017. This version introduced revolutionary features like: Pro Tip: If your Feature Level is 11_0
As mentioned, pre-2012 GPUs do not support Shader Model 6.0. Here is a quick compatibility list:
| GPU Family | Shader Model 6.0 Support? | | :--- | :--- | | NVIDIA GTX 400/500 series | No (Max SM 5.0) | | NVIDIA GTX 600/700/900/10/20/30/40 series | Yes | | AMD Radeon HD 6000 series or older | No | | AMD Radeon HD 7000 series & newer | Yes | | Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge) | No | | Intel HD Graphics 500 / 600 series & newer | Yes |
Solution: You need to upgrade your graphics card. Important Note: You cannot download Shader Model 6
Once updates are complete, verify SM 6.0 is active.
Method 1 – DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag):
Method 2 – DXC (DirectX Shader Compiler)
Advanced users can use dxc.exe with -T vs_6_0 to compile a test shader.
Method 3 – Third-party tools
Shader Model 6.0 (SM6.0) is a significant update to Microsoft’s High-Level Shader Language (HLSL) and the Direct3D 12 shader compilation pipeline. It is not a separate download but a native component of Windows 10 (Version 1809 and later, 64-bit). Users cannot manually install SM6.0; instead, they must ensure their Windows 10 version, graphics drivers, and GPU hardware support it.