Consider using KosmicKrisp instead of MoltenVK for macOS

[Axel-Reactor]

Mesa now has a Vulkan 1.3 to Metal layer:
https://www.lunarg.com/lunarg-at-xdc-2025-kosmickrisp-overview/

I expect this to be much more robust than MoltenVK.

[vsonnier]

Ping @tomkidd : related to #801.

KosmicKrisp has been merged for Mesa 26.0: https://www.phoronix.com/news/KosmicKrisp-Merged-Mesa-26.0

[Novum]

SDK 1.4.355 includes KosmicKrisp now:
https://www.lunarg.com/lunarg-releases-vulkan-sdk-1-4-335-0/

I have no Mac to test with right now and I won't have time or access to one until next year.

[Novum]

I have tried KosmicKrisp and it runs fine. I didn't see any bugs. I haven't found a way to bundle it directly like we do with MoltenVK yet though. You have to install the regular Vulkan SDK and then go through the Vulkan loader etc. which honestly is annoying. I just want to have a builtin Metal wrapper.

[Novum]

Curiously KosmicKrisp is much slower than MoltenVK on my M1 mac. So it's not really an alternative yet?

Also after this experience I know again why I put the mac in the shelf and never touch it.

[PanucciMetalhead]

Curiously KosmicKrisp is much slower than MoltenVK on my M1 mac. So it's not really an alternative yet?

Also after this experience I know again why I put the mac in the shelf and never touch it.

Tried KosmicKrisp on my M2 and I agree it's slower than MoltenVK. Drop in frame rate is very apparent when playing Arcane Dimensions. With MoltenVK, I get a steady 60 FPS with VSync enabled, while with KosmicKrisp, FPS can drop to around 30.

Despite this, I don't mind sticking to KosmicKrisp if it means we'll get more out of Vulkan in the long term.

Thank you @Axel-Reactor for suggestion.

[Novum]

That's just my work account btw, I was logged in the wrong one.

[PanucciMetalhead]

FYI. Homebrew's Mesa package now includes the KK dylib and ICD.