Recently, I reinstalled the software on our testbed for another long run of benchmarks. Amongst those software were some DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 games. After installing them, I realized that one of the games, BioShock did not work. Whenever I tried loading BioShock, it would just hang with a black screen.
At first, I thought it was the new version 1.1 patch because the other DirectX 10 games I installed worked. So I reinstalled BioShock without applying the patch. Still no go. It still hung when I ran it. Once again, I did an intense search online that didn't really reveal much. Take-Two Interactive's support site claimed it was the driver, so I tried a different driver. No success there either.
Now DirectX 10 is available for Windows XP to download. The DirectX 10 for XP is said to be in alpha version. It is said to work for Windows XP and with directx 10 games and graphics card, they should be able to play directx 10 compatible games like they play in Microsoft’s Windows Vista.
However, Cody Brocious the leader of Alky Project has released a preview of Alky compatibility libraries for Microsoft DirectX 10 enabled games. This can be used for Windows Operating system other than Vista to play games which requires Directx 10.These libraries allow the use of DirectX 10 Games on platforms other than Windows Vista.This project was aimed to make DirectX 10 compatible games to run on Non Vista operating systems.It is said to increase hardware compatibility even on Vista, by compiling Geometry Shaders down to native machine code for execution where hardware isn’t capable of running it.No longer will you have to upgrade your OS and video card(s) to play the latest games.
Go to the Microsoft DirectX SDK folder, Samples, C++, Direct3D10, Tutorials, Tutorial12
Double-click “Tutorial12_2005.sln”
Select “Start Without Debugging” from the Debug menu.
There are a number of known issues with most of the tutorials, but they will all work to some extent. Tutorial 12 is currently the recommended example.
Did you know that DirectX 10 is only for Windows Vista? So unless you are happy with windows XP using DirectX 9, your probably going to want to get a decent affordable video card.
For those who have using XP with DirectX 9 in Windows XP keep in mind that DirectX 10 is a rewrite from the ground up.
Since Windows Vista only has support for it, if you install older DirectX 9 games Vista has a DirectX 9 subsystem that interfaces with DirectX 10 to allow games using previous versions of DirectX to work. However running older games in Vista means it will take additional CPU horsepower. This is the argument then, is it worth upgrading the Vista then?
If you plan to use Vista or not, if your in the market for a new PC or new video card my recommendation is try not to buy a motherboard with an integrated video card if possible. Get a motherboard that allows you to purchase an independent video card. Plan to cool and ventilate the video card with additional fans within the case since these new generation cards are known to be power hungry and heat up.
My picks for a DirectX 10 supported video cards at this time would be an Nvidia GeForce 8 Series graphics chips card such as the affordable GeForce 8600 Series card. However pay attention to additional modifiers at the end of the model#, such as GT, GTS, GTX, XT, and XTX, since they often reveal important shader and clock-speed information. Rule of thumb you can never get enough speed and memory, since pc hardware gets outdated so fast in about 6 months time, so get as much as you can afford now.
Here is an example of what I mean. Looking at these two types of Nvidia Geforce cards there is a noticeable difference in the clock speeds, this shows the GTS's clock speeds are more than just a little bit faster than those of the GT—core and stream processor clocks are up between 22% and 25%, and memory speeds have been boosted significantly giving you a that faster smooth frame rate while keeping vibrant graphics at higher display resolutions. <!-- google_ad_client = "pub-5110169969723221"; /* 468x60, Main Body */ google_ad_slot = "8145730377"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //-->
ATI also carries a great line of video cards which are coming down in price such as the X1950 Pro which is worth looking at aswell for the price its a real winner. But dont get me wrong if you can aford to buy the latest and greatest, then please do and buy my dream card, the Geforce 8800 card it can handle the most demanding, current DirectX 9 titles at resolutions, antialiasing and eye-candy settings that leaves previous generation cards gasping for breath. Visual quality is simply superb. Also the Geforce 8800 card is ready for those highly anticipated DirectX 10 game titles like Crysis and Alan Awake under Windows Vista, which bring visuals that are even more incredible.
However like I said, you can never be fully upto date with your PC hardware, Nvidia will release its next 'G92'-based graphics chip, the GeForce 8800 GTS 512, on 11 December, it has been claimed. As its name suggests, the new part extends the existing 8800 GTS line up with a model that connects to 512MB of memory.Today's 8800 GTS family comprises 320MB and 640MB models - the latter is said to be scheduled to be replaced by the 512. Both older GPUs contain 96 of Nvidia's Stream unified-shader pixel processors, but the new version will have 128 on board.
Michael Wolf over on the Gamerscore Blog announced on Wednesday two new Games for Windows Live titles hitting store shelves this week: Crysis and Kane & Lynch: Dead Men. Crysis received a score of 98 out of 100 by PC Gamer and utilizes Windows Vista's DirectX 10 offering incredible graphics. And Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is a Games for Windows - LIVE title supporting online game play for up to 8 players with free List Play for Silver users and, for Gold members, enhanced matchmaking and online multiplayer achievements.
Gears of War was also released as a Games for Windows - LIVE title earlier this month. The Games for Windows - LIVE update I posted about in October was released as well. Michael Wolf has some information on the update including some specifics about getting the update installed with Gears of War. I was able to install the Games for Windows - LIVE update flawlessly through Shadowrun. You can also download it and install it separately.
Remember, games under the Games for Windows brand offer easy installation, widescreen capability, native 64-bit support, and take advantage of Windows Vista's gaming features and technology (such as DirectX 10).
It is great Games for Windows expanding with new titles!
Michael Wolf over on the Gamerscore Blog announced on Wednesday two new Games for Windows Live titles hitting store shelves this week: Crysis and Kane & Lynch: Dead Men . Crysis received a score of 98 out of 100 by PC Gamer and utilizes Windows Vista's Read More......(read more)
Microsoft has launched the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment tool. You can download the version 2.0 Beta version now. The assessment tool allows you to see how much effort it will take to migrate from your Windows XP hardware to Vista by testing the hardware and device-driver capability of PCs against the OS.
Microsoft claims that "Through use of the detailed inventory data, the tool will assess and report whether the computers can run Windows Vista, where to find drivers for devices on the computers, and provide recommendations for hardware upgrades, where appropriate."
One major issue with compatibility is not only drivers and software, but the video card hardware demand Vista requires if you want use the eye candy effects and the Aero look
To download the tool you will need a Windows Live or Passport log-on and register for using the tool.
If you are curious to see what are the features in each version of Windows Vista, I have listed them here for you. [ Feature List ]
with an integrated video card if possible.
