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DirectX 9 Finally Out
T-Kir writes "Microsoft has finally released DirectX 9... although we'll have to wait until the games that fully exploit it are released, at least those with high end cards (aka Radeon 9700+) will be able to unlock more of the advanced features. Now all we have to wait for is OpenGL 2.0!"
Microsoft, with its money and power, is able to deal with hardware manufacturers, to receive specs of planned features early and to develop API for those extremely quickly.
This is the reason why Windows and DirectX will always have a huge advantage over every independent implementation, be it MesaGL or something else. Programmers can be sure that MS will implement every new interesting feature of coming graphics hardware quickly, so that they can make use of it. Therefore, DirectX is the obvious choice.
You got an expensive doorstop there.
I couldn't get Tombraider Chronicles to run on my Voodoo 3, so I don't think it is very likely you are going to find Direct X 9 support from anywhere. OK you might get something to run, but you can be certain Lara hasn't tested it.
However, if you could afford one of the cutting edge 3dfx cards when they were new you can certainly afford a replacement nvidia board of the same vintage, they have them at frys for $50. OK so they won't run as fast as the latest GForce but neither would the Voodoo.
Incidentally, I discovered that the chronic unreliability problem of my '98 machine went away as soon as I swapped out the voodoo for a GForce...
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As a mac user I have to wonder: Is direct X really better than OpenGL. I have heard that it is more difficult to program than OpenGL, but as I have never seen the code I can't substantiate it. From people who have programmed both; which is easier to program, which can output better graphics more easily?
Modular Redundancy--Because 4 out of 5 Nodes agree
You'll have to wait a few years before there more than a handful of games that take advantage of it.
HOLY SHIT!!!
Honey-- I told you not to turn off the antivirus autochecker!!
All kidding aside, I downloaded the demos and screensavers (If you upgraded from the DX9 Beta you have to reinstall all the demos), and I for one am astounded! I NEVER use screensavers at home, but will now... with the lights off, and some Pink Floyd...
I wish ATI will release an "aquarium" themed screensaver or demo... something with jellyfish would be awesome! I mean, just replace the bacteria, right?
That's funny cause none of the Geforce cards support DirectX 8 yet. They are still in the directX 7.x level. Ati is the only make that supports even directX 8.
Anyone know how MORE restrictive its licensing will be? Given Microsoft's track record of tightening its grip on each and every release/update of all its software.
Not intended to start a flame war, I'm just curious.. as the last update of media player we weren't able to install, due to the 'added' bits, as they violated some of our privacy polices.. the license latest service pack for Win2000 is still being evaluated.
In the end, at the rate they are going we may have to go OSS for these reasons alone. ( which is fine by me )
---- Booth was a patriot ----
Is directX9 how Billy G. will attempt to get Digital Rights Management onto my computer? Tie a bunch of really kewl games/graphics features to a "protection" mechanism that makes a colonoscopy look like a walk in the park? I really need to be protected from all that content I've purchased.
The Russians have won. They have made the world a cesspool of distrust, greed, fear and hate.
I installed this yesterday, mostly because Microsoft's Impossible Creatures wanted it installed. Later I tried running a networked game of Dungeonsiege but it would crash when I tried start it. My guess was that DirectX 9 broke the networking module. To test my theory I went back to a restore point before DirectX 9 and sure enough directX networking was working again. I have XP installed, I'm not sure if anybody else has seen this. Maybe it is just an issue with my config.