How does DirectX 10 affect what graphics card(s) I consider?

[GreyKnight]

Hi folks, first post here

I am in the market to get a new gaming PC since my current rig (while a reliable home made old warhorse) is starting to show its age with some new games (mainly Medieval 2 which runs quite slowly on the battle screen and I MUST PLAY THAT GAME!) :lol: My current spec is:-

Intel P4 2.6GHz CPU
2Gb, PC3200 DDR RAM
XFX 256Mb Nvidia GeForce 6600GT AGP graphics (probably a weak link I know )
200Gb Maxtor SATA drive
Soundblaster Audigy 2 sound card
19" Digimate TFT screen
Creative 6.1 speakers

I am thinking that I may take the plunge and get a complete ready made new system, I could build my own, but I don't really have the time these days, I want to get the thing and start using it. I've been reading magazine reviews and visiting various online PC suppliers and I've sort of found the rig that I think I may go for (PC Format's top rated medium-spec gamer rig this month, PCNextday's Zoostorm 5-8401 see here ) The basic spec on this is:-

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz CPU
2Gb Super Talent, PC6400, DDR2 RAM
Dual ATi Radeon X1950XTX 512Mb PCI-E graphics cards in Crossfire
74Gb Raptor 10,000rpm drive (for games)
300Gb SATA drive for storage
7.1 Hi-Def Surround Sound
5.1 Philips MMS460 speakers
24" Acer monitor with 1,920x1,200 resolution support (amazing according to the review )

This is £2000 which sounds okay to me, but my main question is how will DirectX 10 affect this rig in a years time? I mean, since the GeForce 8800 cards are the only ones with DX10 support at the moment I assume that in 6 months time we will start seeing most games released with DX10 support, so how will this affect my new rig? Will it not support DX10 games, or will those games just not run as well as they do on a DX10 card?

Any comments you can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks

Graham

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

As Ive read it,since no op sys is currently running dx10 and only the nvidia 8800 series aredx10's out,THEY say you can run dx9 cards on the newer games.THEY say that what youll likely see is fewer physics driven ingame things.Im sure the makers of the newer games wont omit important things,but things like a rock that can be kicked,picked up or other items wont exist with dx9.Plus the overall picture wont be as good and the fps will be lesser with dx9.But youll enjoy the difference either way with this new rig,itll stomp your old one,and the eye candy will be sweet

 

[sruane]

You need Vista for DX10 and I can't imagine game developers abandoning the huge base of XP users.

But, if you must have DX10, you will need to get a DX10-capable video card (so far there's only one on the market) and wait for Vista.

That, and wait for DX10 games.

 

[bullaRh]

lmao that was hard 2 read took me like 2 times, anyway

get a 8800gts or 8800gtx :b they r totally kickass. would be stupid 2 buy 1950xtx when dx10 cards is here and they perform much better.

 

[NotAPimecone]

Newegg prices (I'm making an assumption that the UK prices reflect a similar difference):

X1950XTX - $450 (2 of them = $900)

GeForce 8800GTX - $630

I've read that a single 8800GTX does get beat in some games by crossfired X1950XTX's, but more often than not, it seems to come out on top.

I'd probably go for the 8800GTX, you'll get pretty much the same (or better) performance and save $300, and be ready for DX10.

 

[PCAnalyst]

Thats about $3800 U.S. I believe... too much.

A single 8800 GTX is a much better option than Dual 1950XTXs. Many benchmarks prove this (in both Intel and AMD systems)

All Games will be Dx10 in 6 months... in 2 months!!! Any new game coming out will be directX10. So you need to decide how much the extra performance is worth to ya.

You should see if the company offers the 680i mobos and 8800GTX cards and the rest of the system looks really good especially that acer 24''.