6 -
Speaking of DirectX 11 – Just because Windows 7 (and now
Vista) is DX11 capable doesn’t mean your games automatically run in DX11 mode!!! In order to run in DX11 (or 10 for that matter) 3 things must happen:
1- The Windows must support the modes – Window 7 and Vista (DX10 & 11)
2- The game must support the Mode(s) -
Games with DX11 Support, Games with DX10 Support
3- The video card must support the Mode(s)
– ATI 5000 series cards,
Nvidia GTX 470, 480 (more?)
If any one of those 3 requirements
isn’t met the game defaults to the lowest DX mode possible - DX9 (or lower depending on the game).
Here's an example - You have Fallout 3 (DX10), Windows 7 (DX10 & 11) an ATI X1950 PRO or Nvidia GT 8400 (DX9 cards) - well….Fallout 3 will run in DX9 because the
video cards are only capable of running in DX9 mode.
On the other hand, using Fallout 3 (DX10), If we have an ATI 5970 (DX11) and Window 7 (DX10 & 11), the game will run in DX10 mode because the
game does not support DX11.
Now, if we have a game like
Metro 2033 (DX11), Windows 7 (DX11), and an ATI 5970 (DX11), well…we have
all the requirements met and the system will run in full DX11 mode!!!
On the other hand – say you are running a DX10 or 11 game and wish to run in DX 9 – some games like Crysis, Crysis Warhead, or Bioshock will let you by simply right-clicking the game’s .exe and choosing the mode you want to run in. See this post -
Force DirectX 9?
So… To sum it up, unless
ALL components are DX10 or 11, you are running in DX9 (or lower depending on the game) by default!!!