Is DX11 the problem?

Animanea · 24 Jan 2011

HI i have a huge problem after playing some old games (neverwinter, sims 2&3) and well sims first of all i never had problems until i bought neverwinter nights 2 platinum and well it diddnt run max but it ran smooth. so i downloaded the newest drivers for my videocard. but instead of helping it made all my games run SO LAME!!!
from what i read the problem might have been dx11 that was included in the drivers, i also manually patched neverwinter and lowered all the specs down to pathetic graphics, and it runs worse than before the drivers... same for my other games that once ran beautifully.... what do i do? i have considered a system reformat but thats the last resort anybody help i'll love you forever!!!! <3<3

DustSailor · 25 Jan 2011

I've heard that you can download directx 9 and/or 10 on top of directx 11 and they can run fine together. Look into it: GOOGLE

Also check this forum out it may give some more information (Though it speaks only of Dx9&10; it is meant for vista but pertains to Win7): Can I have DirectX 9 and 10 on Windows Vista? - TechSpot OpenBoards

Try running the games (likely meant for older OSes) in compatibility mode. It can also help in the graphics area.

I've tried multiple Directxes and honestly haven't noticed any difference, which may be good or bad.

p.s. If I've helped you and you love me forever, I'll never help you again

Maguscreed · 25 Jan 2011

If you set the game executable to run in xp compatibility that automatically sets it to dx9. Also DX11 is backwards compatible and doesn't automatically use dx11 unless the game specifically supports it. ...that's a very short list right now.

You may also be experiencing performance dips due to the aero theme on your desktop. Disabling windows visuals and extra appearance stuff should return that performance.

DustSailor · 25 Jan 2011

Maguscreed said:

If you set the game executable to run in xp compatibility that automatically sets it to dx9. Also DX11 is backwards compatible and doesn't automatically use dx11 unless the game specifically supports it. ...that's a very short list right now.

I've heard about that, but there were issues in vista about that and I don't know if 7 solved it. Such as

Nexevo said:

[...] links inform Vista does not run previous versions of DX it infact emulates them.

So you will need to install DX9 and when required Vista will emulate it

But I think you are right, having DX11 should take care of everything, and I do believe that I've even played NWN on highest graphics with DX11 Win7 64x.

Or you can try modernizing the game, say: Playing the very similar Dragon Age: Origins Game with better graphical qualities and less glitches

Maguscreed · 25 Jan 2011

yes, just about every problem you can think of with vista has been fixed in 7, compatibility modes I've never personally experienced a problem with. I've even run software so old xp had a problem with it without troubles.

sygnus21 · 25 Jan 2011

Maguscreed said:

If you set the game executable to run in xp compatibility that automatically sets it to dx9. Also DX11 is backwards compatible and doesn't automatically use dx11 unless the game specifically supports it. ...that's a very short list right now.

This would also include the video card as well. In short in order to run in DX11 mode 3 conditions must be meet (software and hardware) - Windows must support it, the game must support it, and the video card (hardware) must support it. If not, the game will run in the lowest supported mode available. And as noted, D11 is backwards compatible - meaning it will allow for older versions of DX to be run.

See item 6 here - Tips on Troubleshooting Game Issues