graphics device WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Microsoft says you need a "DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver" for Windows 7. How can I tell I have the proper one? I have a GeForce FX 5200 DirectX 9.0.

While that card might be DX 9 (barely) it is not a WDDM 1.0 supporting card. About the best you're going to get for it is the last (and only) Vista driver for it,

ForceWare Release 95

Why is it "barley" DirectX 9? And what is WDDM 1.0 ?

Because the card is legacy, meaning old and unsupported. It was one of the earlier DX9 cards. It does Aero though, so that's at least good.

About WDDM - Windows Display Driver Model - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I read about it but I can't find any cards online that have a WDDM. Should I just look for a card that is supported by Vista and Windows 7?

Ok maybe I need to narrow it down. I need a PCI card with nvida chipset. What should I get that will handle Windows 7? I am shopping on Newegg and want to order something I know will work.

Aero will work on your current card with the Vista driver.

If you're looking ATI, you want anything in the HD series.
If you're looking NVidia, anything above what you have now and/or 6200.

The way I see it, if you're gonna spend money, you want at the very least

this - Newegg.com - DIAMOND 2400PCI256 Radeon HD 2400PRO 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

or this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130498

This is what you really should get:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161283


Otherwise, what you have will suffice. Any reason why you want a PCI card as opposed to what you probably have a dedicated slot for, either AGP or PCI-E? If you have a modern system, PCI-E. Older, most likely AGP. Either of those is what you should be looking at, depending on your motherboard.

WDDM stands for "Windows Display Driver Model". Wikipedia article:
Windows Display Driver Model - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 5xxx card you have was one of the first that supported DirectX 9.0, but it did it VERY poorly and slowly.

You said you need a card that works on PCI and Nvidia chipset - I am unsure if you mean plain old PCI or PCI Express - how old is your machine?

If it is plain old PCI, the last card NVidia made for that was the 5xxx series, everything after that (7, 8, 9 and 200 series) are PCI Express only. The 6 Series was the last available for AGP.

If your machine does not have PCI Express slots, I would suggest you stick with Windows XP or whatever you are running now. While you will be able to run Windows 7, I suspect your machine is old enough that it doesn't have alot of RAM or a decent processor.

If this is the case, I strongly suggest a new computer as you WILL be wasting money with just a video card.

chrisf8657 said:

If it is plain old PCI, the last card NVidia made for that was the 5xxx series, everything after that (7, 8, 9 and 200 series) are PCI Express only.

These are all PCI cards.


Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Video Cards & Video Devices,Desktop Graphics / Video Cards,PCI

chrisf8657 said:

If this is the case, I strongly suggest a new computer as you WILL be wasting money with just a video card.

So many people would try to tell me the same thing about my AGP card or said that when I researched. I got it, installed and I can play H.A.W.X. directx 10 verson on highest settings possible at 1680x1050, smoothly. Previously, I had an ATI AIW 9800 Pro. When people don't want to or can't spend big money for a new rig, replacing only the video card helps a great deal.

Sorry I didn't realize my board accepts PCI Express also. 2 PCI Express slots and one for PCI Express x16. Not sure what that x16 is.

My mother board is DFI nF4-DAGF , AMD 64 3800 Processor. 2.4 Ghz.

So what makes a PCI Express better. What card would you recommend on Newegg I should get. Also I heard to stay way from ones with a fan because of the noise. I am not using this for games.