DX9 vs DX8.X: Huge difference?

opdirect · 08-24-2003, 07:45 PM

Looking for an informed opinion

I have an Abit Ti4200 4xAGP card which I am currently very happy with. However, it does not support DX9. Is this going to be a major problem with the 2 big baddies that are coming out: Doom III and Half-Life 2?

I'd really like to make this card last until PCI express hits the streets but that may be awhile. If I do upgrade, it would be to an Nvidia 5600. I don't really think its all that much more powerful but it does do DX9.

So what will be the difference between playing these games without DX9 support and with?

FightingChance · 08-24-2003, 07:58 PM

Believe it or not, the plain jane 5600 has *less* raw power than the 4200.

You'll be okay. . . as long as you have drivers new enough to recognize and support DX9 (44.03 and above dets), DX9 functions will be available though will be shunted directly to the CPU or done 'the hard way' on the GPU itself (someone correct me if I'm wrong.) Those effects specifically done for DX9 hardware cards will easily be able to be turned off in the menu's of both games. In fact I read Valve boasting that HL2 would run on DirectX 6 hardware (Geforce 1 I think.)

Statistically speaking, the majority of PC gamers have about a 900Mhz/Geforce 1 - 2 class machine, so games are made to scale down compatibly in this regard. If PC games were built with the latest hardware in mind as a minimum, they'd look out of this world and play fast - because they could be written to take advantage of every single architectural advtantage new stuff enjoys. They aren't though, which hampers the speed of new hardware but allows those without such deep pockets to keep playing.

opdirect · 08-24-2003, 10:46 PM

Thanks fightingchance.

I read a few reviews of the 5600 and they say the same thing. The 4200 was beating the 5600 on FPS until you started cranking up AA and filtering.

Are you saying that the 5600 and above have hardware DX9 support while the 4200 can still support DX9 but it offloads the process to the CPU as long as I have the latest detonator? Sort of like hardware emulation?

08-24-2003, 07:45 PM	#1
opdirect Open the pod bay door HAL Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tycho (behind monolith) Posts: 318	DX9 vs DX8.X: Huge difference? Looking for an informed opinion I have an Abit Ti4200 4xAGP card which I am currently very happy with. However, it does not support DX9. Is this going to be a major problem with the 2 big baddies that are coming out: Doom III and Half-Life 2? I'd really like to make this card last until PCI express hits the streets but that may be awhile. If I do upgrade, it would be to an Nvidia 5600. I don't really think its all that much more powerful but it does do DX9. So what will be the difference between playing these games without DX9 support and with? __________________ P4 2.4C Intel D875PBZ BIOS 05 2 x 256 XMS3500 Abit Ti4200 Maxtor 60, Deskstar 45 Audigy 2 WinTV Go Enermax 365 Cooler Master Wave Master Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 "Do what you want with the girl, but leave me alone!" - George Carlin
(Offline)

08-24-2003, 07:58 PM	#2
FightingChance Yes, I am better than you Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 4,068	Believe it or not, the plain jane 5600 has less raw power than the 4200. You'll be okay. . . as long as you have drivers new enough to recognize and support DX9 (44.03 and above dets), DX9 functions will be available though will be shunted directly to the CPU or done 'the hard way' on the GPU itself (someone correct me if I'm wrong.) Those effects specifically done for DX9 hardware cards will easily be able to be turned off in the menu's of both games. In fact I read Valve boasting that HL2 would run on DirectX 6 hardware (Geforce 1 I think.) Statistically speaking, the majority of PC gamers have about a 900Mhz/Geforce 1 - 2 class machine, so games are made to scale down compatibly in this regard. If PC games were built with the latest hardware in mind as a minimum, they'd look out of this world and play fast - because they could be written to take advantage of every single architectural advtantage new stuff enjoys. They aren't though, which hampers the speed of new hardware but allows those without such deep pockets to keep playing.
(Offline)

08-24-2003, 10:46 PM	#3
opdirect Open the pod bay door HAL Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tycho (behind monolith) Posts: 318	Thanks fightingchance. I read a few reviews of the 5600 and they say the same thing. The 4200 was beating the 5600 on FPS until you started cranking up AA and filtering. Are you saying that the 5600 and above have hardware DX9 support while the 4200 can still support DX9 but it offloads the process to the CPU as long as I have the latest detonator? Sort of like hardware emulation? __________________ P4 2.4C Intel D875PBZ BIOS 05 2 x 256 XMS3500 Abit Ti4200 Maxtor 60, Deskstar 45 Audigy 2 WinTV Go Enermax 365 Cooler Master Wave Master Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 "Do what you want with the girl, but leave me alone!" - George Carlin
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode