3D API.....

[doubleu69]

I am wanting to get a good video card and I was wondering what does it mean is 1 video card is like this=

Video card 1
3D API -Directx 9

Video Card 2
3D API -Directz 10

Does it really matter if it supports 9 or 10?

My choices r between, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161098

or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102094

what one is better?

 

[lostandwandering]

Do you mean ATI? I have no idea what API is. DirectX9c is what all games currently run under. Future games will run under DX10 with support for DX9. With the HD2600, no it doesn't matter because it won't be able to play DX10 games at acceptable frame rates. The X1950GT is the better of the two, but for the money either of these would be better(even though they are DX9):

Sapphire X1950pro:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061
or
Sapphire X1950XT:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067

 

[flasher702]

directz 10 is probably about as good as directx 10

 

[doubleu69]

Do you mean ATI? I have no idea what API is. DirectX9c is what all games currently run under.

No I mean 3D API! gO HERE lOOK AT Specifications then look where is saids 3D API and under that it saids Directx - Directx 10, What does 3D API mean? I understand directx......http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122032

 

[lostandwandering]

Calm down, I just didn't understand what you were saying.

3D API: three dimensional application programming interface.

Off of the Carnegie Mellon website:

Application Programming Interface (API) is an older technology that facilitates exchanging messages or data between two or more different software applications. API is the virtual interface between two interworking software functions, such as a word processor and a spreadsheet. This technology has been expanded from simple subroutine calls to include features that provide for interoperability and system modifiability in support of the requirement for data sharing between multiple applications. An API is the software that is used to support system-level integration of multiple commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software products or newly-developed software into existing or new applications. APIs are also a type of Middleware that provide for data sharing across different platforms; this is an important feature when developing new or upgrading existing distributed systems. This technology is a way to achieve the total cross-platform consistency that is a goal of open systems (see COTS and Open Systems-An Overview) and standards [Krechmer 92].

http://www.sei.cmu.edu/str/descriptions/api.html

Anyway, look at the 2 cards I linked. Don't bother with any DX10 cards unless they are the 8800s or the 2900XT. The mid-range performance just isn't there.

 

[doubleu69]

Okay thanks man! Also I need a video card thats under 180 you have any in mind?

1) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161098

2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102094

or u have something in mind?

 

[lostandwandering]

Like I said in my first post, unless you get an 8800 or a 2900, avoid DX10 cards. The midrange performance just isn't there. I also recommended to ATi cards but I'll post them again for you:

Sapphire X1950pro:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061
or
Sapphire X1950XT:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067

Either of these would provide better price/performance while not breaking the bank.

 

[doubleu69]

Thanks!