DirectX 10

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seodevhead
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DirectX 10

Post by seodevhead »

Hey guys... I have been reading a lot about DirectX 10 with the release of Vista next year and the many graphics cards that now support DirectX 10. As many of you know I am in the process of building a new system.

I have done a bit of research trying to understand how DirectX works, but still have a bit of a sloppy understanding and thought I would ask you guys a simple question since you all seem to be up to snuff with this stuff. :)

Should I spring the extra bucks to get a DirectX10 compatible graphics card for when Vista arrives? Please mind you, I DON'T PLAY ANY VIDEO GAMES, but do a lot of video, 3D, photoshop, coding, etc. Is DirectX (and notably DirectX 10) an important part of my work in these types of applications? Or is DirectX pretty much a gaming only type of thing? Thanks a bunch for your help and advice.
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

If you're going with a Quadro, don't worry about it so much. With a GeForce, potentially.. but that depends on if you're going to upgrade to Vista or not.

Most 3D programs that are for graphics use OpenGL. Some will use DirectX, but not that many compared to OpenGL. Get a card that is compatible and hopefully optimized for the programs you will be using (if the program isn't optimized for it, that is.)
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Burrito
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Post by Burrito »

did I recently read there is a new version of OpenGL coming out and that it is pushing its way back into the gaming industry or did I dream that?
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

There's been a new version of OpenGL coming for quite some time. The standards body moves VERY slow.
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seodevhead
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Post by seodevhead »

feyd wrote:There's been a new version of OpenGL coming for quite some time. The standards body moves VERY slow.
Oh man... so like an OpenGL 2.5 or something is due out sometime soon?

And about DirectX 10... so it sounds like since I am a non-gamer... then I shouldn't even worry about this DirectX stuff and not make any purchases based on this new technology? Did I get that right?
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

Unless the software you will be using utilizes GPU based rendering, there's rarely a reason to care too much. The only sticking point is the resolution(s) the monitor and card can hit, what color depths and refresh rates are supported by both.. and finally what the software package supports for realtime rendering. Most realtime previews will use the graphics card to do the work. Sometimes loading the textures and so forth into it.. so it can be important, but only insofar as to what the applications you run support.

The Quadro is built for real 3D graphics work. The GeForce, while quite competent, isn't built for real 3D graphics.
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Case-
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Post by Case- »

You dont need dx10 gpu to run vista.
I doubt that 3d programs are moving to dx10, since allmost all of them are using OpenGL.
It takes much time when even games start using dx10, so I wont be worried in your case about dx10.
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