Will Directx 10 Graphics Deliver Better Gaming?

Copyright (c) 2007 Titus HoskinsTop gaming manufacturers like Rockdirect in the
Right now all the talk in PC gaming is DirectX 10UK are now all carrying DX 10 Graphics in their
Graphics. New hardware and new DX10 gamesgaming machines. You will also find many of the
have everyone buzzing about a new era in PCmajor gaming specialists such as Alienware, Vigor,
gaming. But is all the celebration a little bitand Sager sporting DX 10 graphics.
premature?Present or upcoming games that will have DirectX
Yes and No!10 support include Crysis, Shadowrun, World in
As with any new technology there is a lag timeConflict, and Company of Heroes.
before everything catches up, before the newNor should you think DirectX 10 is solely for
technology is truly integrated into the old, in thisgamers; the general PC user will also benefit from
case gaming systems. The big question onbetter graphics and higher performance. For
everyone's mind, (especially gamers) how long willinstance, the ability to play and enjoy HD DVD
we have to wait before DX10 graphics deliversand Blu-ray video playback on their PCs.
the goods?Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of DirectX
In other words, how long is the lag time before10 Graphics is that it makes it much more easier
performance (what you see in your games)for game designers and developers to create
catches up with the technology DX10 Graphics willgames. For a more detailed discussion of the
ultimately deliver?technical side of this topic, you can try Microsoft
For the ordinary consumer who is not a techie orGame Developer Presentations here:
even a dedicated gamer all this fuss about X10Or you can read this very good, detailed article on
Graphics can be downright confusing to say the"The Future of PC Gaming" by Tim Smalley
least. Getting a handle on even the simplestpresented here:
terminology can be a challenge.The question still remains - is DirectX 10 Graphics
First, you have to understand DirectX is adeserving of all the hoopala or fuss?
Microsoft Windows technology that lets you haveYes, but it will be a while before the true benefits
higher performance in sound and graphics whenare fully enjoyed by gaming enthusiasts and the
playing games and/or watching videos on yourgeneral public. As more DX10 games are
computer. In the past we have had differentdeveloped and as more powerful gaming
versions of DirectX... DirectX 8, DirectX 9, andhardware become available, the full potential of
with the introduction of Windows Vista we havebetter gaming will hopefully be reached.
DirectX 10.But there may be some catching up to do before
DX10 Graphics gives us better performance andwe see the real benefits. Many gamers complain
better looking PC graphics with clearer, higherthat presently most hardware is more suited to
resolution images with more shading and details. ItDX9 Graphics. Here's a very interesting and
simply means better overall picture quality anddetailed discussion of this issue done by X-bit Labs
performance; a forward step to true realism inentitled: "DirectX 10 Games vs. Contemporary
gaming.Graphics Accelerators"
At the heart of DirectX are APIs (ApplicationImplementing any new technology takes time, as
Programming Interfaces) which can beold technology is gradually replaced by the new.
oversimplified as a bridge or way for theJust compare it to say switching from VHS to
hardware and the software to "talk" to eachDVD and now to Blu-Ray, keeping ahead of the
other. These give you multimedia applications suchlatest technology takes some catching up time.
as (3-D) graphics acceleration, sound mixing, soundDX9 Graphics will eventually lose ground to DX10
output and other functions.Graphics.
We are now seeing higher performing DirectX 10So it may be a while before DirectX 10 Graphics
Graphics GPUs from top makers such as NVIDIAdelivers the full potential of the ultimate gaming
with their 8800 series, including the NVIDIAexperience but there is little doubt this technology
GeForce 8800 GTX and GeForce 8800 GTS.is the future of gaming. It may just take a little
These GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) will givewhile before game developers and hardware
you better gaming with greater image quality andmakers get all their guns locked and loaded to
performance. HD DVD and Blu-ray video playbackgive you that ultimate gaming experience.
is even possible.