| Copyright (c) 2007 Titus Hoskins | | | | Top gaming manufacturers like Rockdirect in the |
| Right now all the talk in PC gaming is DirectX 10 | | | | UK are now all carrying DX 10 Graphics in their |
| Graphics. New hardware and new DX10 games | | | | gaming machines. You will also find many of the |
| have everyone buzzing about a new era in PC | | | | major gaming specialists such as Alienware, Vigor, |
| gaming. But is all the celebration a little bit | | | | and 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 time | | | | Conflict, and Company of Heroes. |
| before everything catches up, before the new | | | | Nor should you think DirectX 10 is solely for |
| technology is truly integrated into the old, in this | | | | gamers; the general PC user will also benefit from |
| case gaming systems. The big question on | | | | better graphics and higher performance. For |
| everyone's mind, (especially gamers) how long will | | | | instance, the ability to play and enjoy HD DVD |
| we have to wait before DX10 graphics delivers | | | | and 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 before | | | | 10 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 will | | | | games. 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 or | | | | Game Developer Presentations here: |
| even a dedicated gamer all this fuss about X10 | | | | Or 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 simplest | | | | presented here: |
| terminology can be a challenge. | | | | The question still remains - is DirectX 10 Graphics |
| First, you have to understand DirectX is a | | | | deserving of all the hoopala or fuss? |
| Microsoft Windows technology that lets you have | | | | Yes, but it will be a while before the true benefits |
| higher performance in sound and graphics when | | | | are fully enjoyed by gaming enthusiasts and the |
| playing games and/or watching videos on your | | | | general public. As more DX10 games are |
| computer. In the past we have had different | | | | developed and as more powerful gaming |
| versions of DirectX... DirectX 8, DirectX 9, and | | | | hardware become available, the full potential of |
| with the introduction of Windows Vista we have | | | | better gaming will hopefully be reached. |
| DirectX 10. | | | | But there may be some catching up to do before |
| DX10 Graphics gives us better performance and | | | | we see the real benefits. Many gamers complain |
| better looking PC graphics with clearer, higher | | | | that presently most hardware is more suited to |
| resolution images with more shading and details. It | | | | DX9 Graphics. Here's a very interesting and |
| simply means better overall picture quality and | | | | detailed discussion of this issue done by X-bit Labs |
| performance; a forward step to true realism in | | | | entitled: "DirectX 10 Games vs. Contemporary |
| gaming. | | | | Graphics Accelerators" |
| At the heart of DirectX are APIs (Application | | | | Implementing any new technology takes time, as |
| Programming Interfaces) which can be | | | | old technology is gradually replaced by the new. |
| oversimplified as a bridge or way for the | | | | Just compare it to say switching from VHS to |
| hardware and the software to "talk" to each | | | | DVD and now to Blu-Ray, keeping ahead of the |
| other. These give you multimedia applications such | | | | latest technology takes some catching up time. |
| as (3-D) graphics acceleration, sound mixing, sound | | | | DX9 Graphics will eventually lose ground to DX10 |
| output and other functions. | | | | Graphics. |
| We are now seeing higher performing DirectX 10 | | | | So it may be a while before DirectX 10 Graphics |
| Graphics GPUs from top makers such as NVIDIA | | | | delivers the full potential of the ultimate gaming |
| with their 8800 series, including the NVIDIA | | | | experience 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 give | | | | while before game developers and hardware |
| you better gaming with greater image quality and | | | | makers get all their guns locked and loaded to |
| performance. HD DVD and Blu-ray video playback | | | | give you that ultimate gaming experience. |
| is even possible. | | | | |