DirectX, Windows XP, and Video Cards

[esmo]

Before I ask the question, I believe the answer is no, but since I have very limited understanding of how all this works I'm interested in the facts others can dig up.

The question, then:

1) Can a computer running Windows XP Pro 32bit, with a directx10 and 11 supporting video card, run a directx11 supported game in directx11?

2) If not, then is it true that only among Windows Vista and 7 versions, Directx10 can be the version used by games that support it (as long as a directx10 video card is part of the system?) And then, also, Vista will be upgradable to directx11...and so with a directx11 video card and the update, both Vista and 7 will support directx11 games?

3) Perhaps the overall question from me is... In order to utilize directx10 or 11 functionality in games supporting them, the Windows version I use must also be able to support directx10 or 11?

 

[treefrog07]

Before I ask the question, I believe the answer is no, but since I have very limited understanding of how all this works I'm interested in the facts others can dig up.

The question, then:

1) Can a computer running Windows XP Pro 32bit, with a directx10 and 11 supporting video card, run a directx11 supported game in directx11?

No, not natively. MS has not, and says it will not release the code/fix to allow WinXP to run DirectX 10 or 11. Google WinXP+DirectX10 to see what you may find "in the wild." I've heard rumors.

2) If not, then is it true that only among Windows Vista and 7 versions, Directx10 can be the version used by games that support it (as long as a directx10 video card is part of the system?)

Yes, DirectX10 and 10.1

And then, also, Vista will be upgradable to directx11...and so with a directx11 video card and the update, both Vista and 7 will support directx11 games?

Yes, according to MS-MVPS in the MS forums. Vista and Win7 are based on the same kernal.

3) Perhaps the overall question from me is... In order to utilize directx10 or 11 functionality in games supporting them, the Windows version I use must also be able to support directx10 or 11?

Yes, and if you are planning to use a 32-bit (x86) version of any Windows, the OS will not be able to see and use more than ~3.2GBs of RAM. You will need an x64 (64-bit version) of Windows for the OS to see and use more RAM.

Answers above - in body of quote.

 

[djcoolmasterx]

The various attempts at DX10 + XP have been abandoned.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey