just wondering how shiii on DX10 would perform

[Kristian2]

So far I am quite happy with my current hardware and WindowsXP (slimmed down), DX9 and SHiii(GWX). I have no reason to update to DX10 hardware and the inevitable Windows Vista. Not yet.
I am just wondering how DX9 games perform with DX10 hardware, so in this case, how does SHiii performs with DX10 hardware, or will as usual the overkill in processorpower (easily) compensate for the inefficiencies in Microsofts OS's.
What's the better option: to run windows XP (with DX9) on DX10 hardware, or to run DX9 games, SHiii e.g., on Vista (or whatever their next obese OS will be).

[GoldenRivet]

Im guessing that because DX9 games are not designed to take any particular advantage of DX10 you will see no appreciable change in the way the game looks.

Im running an ATI Radeon 8800 GTS card at the moment, Flight Simulator X rocks with the DX10 settings for example... however i cannot notice any notable performance boost or graphics boost on any of my DX9 games like SH3.

[Schwuppes]

Hi there!

Either way is fine really.
DX9 games on Vista are sometimes minimally slower than on XP, but the diffenrence is negligible.
I wouldn't bother buying a DX9 card anymore.... you can get a ATi HD3870 or a GeForce 8800GT for around $200 - $250US, they are really good value.
I run a HD2900XT DX10 card on XP (32 bit) and I'm happy.
Drivers for DX10 are still in their infancy, so running the latest games in DX10 mode on Vista is not worth the performance hit.
Crysis is a good example, you can get almost the same image quality with a few config tweaks in DX9 mode without the perfomance hit.

[GoldenRivet]

loved crysis... im running DX10, with the 8800 and vista home premium.... the game ran great and looked great too and never even so much as stuttered during intense sequences of game play.

[Kristian2]

I read somewhere that to run a DX9 game on DX10 hardware there is some sort of inefficient emulation stage, but I suppose you wouldn't notice it as the DX10 cards already have a boost in processor power. I wonder how long SHiii-GWX will last, despite it being a DX9 game?

[GoldenRivet]

DirectX 9 games will be around for quite some time to come i think.

pretty much any pre-2007 title is directX9 (Battlefield 2, brothers in arms series, call of duty, most of the flight sims etc)

There are still some hard core players running Silent Hunter 2 and Janes 688i out there too i think, so SHIII, though "old" by today's PC gaming standards is nowhere near its last leg i dont think.