Nvidia Expected To Offer DirectX 10.1 GPU In Q'1, 2009
Chicago (IL) - Nvidia so far declined to provide any information to if and when it will consider supporting the DirectX 10.1 API in its GPUs, a technology that’s already integrated into AMD’s Radeon cards for some time now. Roadmap information we stumbled across today offers a bit more clarity and suggests that the company’s next-generation desktop and notebook chips will support DirectX 10.1.
DirectX 10.1 has been a confusing story for most of us, with no clear indication on which graphics card you should buy to be able to get access to the best feature set. ATI Radeon cards as well as S3 have been supporting DirectX 10.1 for a while now, but Nvidia remains silent about its future API plans - leaving the gaming market and its customers in uncertainty.
A presentation slide we received, but unfortunately cannot share with you in order to protect our source, clearly states that Nvidia will offer DirectX 10.1 support with its next-generation notebook GPUs that are scheduled for a spring 2009 release. DirectX 10.1 is also likely to be offered in the next desktop GPU generation, which should debut either late in Q4 2008 or Q1 2009, with a possible ramp throughout Q1 and Q2 of 2009.
So, what does that mean? Well, it depends on your view.
What we know for sure is that with Nvidia’s decision to support DX10.1, the rest of t he industry will be embracing this API.
On the very high end, it may mean that you should think twice about spending $500 or more on a DX10.0 card. DX10.1 cards may be the better value proposition, if you want to run the latest games and don’t want to buy another $500 card six months from now. Nvidia’s new GPU generation, we hear, will also be 1.5 to 2 times faster than the current technology.
This decision may also have some implications for AMD. Realistically, AMD has a six-month advantage over Nvidia in terms of API support right now and also appears to have competitive hardware in place as well. If AMD plays this game smart, it should be able to regain market share, as the 4800 series may be the more attractive technology for computer graphics at this time - at least for those of us with a limited budget.
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On a side note, Nvidia will be switching to GDDR5 memory, most likely within 2008. As GDDR5 chips are more available we expect first Nvidia GDDR5 cards to hit the market in Q4.
Wolfgang Gruener is an experienced professional in digital strategy and content, specializing in web strategy, content architecture, user experience, and applying AI in content operations within the insurtech industry. His previous roles include Director, Digital Strategy and Content Experience at American Eagle, Managing Editor at TG Daily, and contributing to publications like Tom's Guide and Tom's Hardware.
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lol 1.5 - 2 times as fast as current technology?Reply
how nice that would be...
I guess the gtx 280 was about a 50% increase over the 8800 gtx ... but the only problem with the gtx 280 is it doesn't beat the 9800 gx2... Nvidia shot themselves in the foot... if they hadn't made the 9800 gx2... the gtx 200 series would be like OMG ITS SO MUCH BETTER... but since theres already a cheaper card that equals it and sometimes beats it... its like wtf? -
^ what I forgot to say...Reply
its looking even more likely that this architecture they are claiming gets 1.5 - 2 times the performance is actually a new architecture... while the rumors that the chip that would come out after the 9800 gtx... was just another spin-off of the g80 core... well it looks to me like thats true... they really milked their g80 core to death lol -
one-shot After claiming the performance ring for so long they are now following AMD's lead, DX10.1 and GDDR5. What else is new....Reply -
element @thogrom the GTX 280 wasn't 50% more powerful than an 8800GTX think around 20% at mostReply -
the gtx 280 is about 30 - 50 % faster than a 8800 gtx... look at benchmarks... as I said... the shot in the foot for nvidia was the 9800 gx2... if they hadn't had that... the gtx 280 would be viewed as all thatReply
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hannibal 9800 gx2 was must because of 3870x2... You should not blame Nvidia for that :-)Reply
I am also sure, that there is more potential in 280, when compared to 8800gtx. It was just released, so it only have good driver support in few games and "most important" benchmarks.
1.5-2 times faster is a lot to promise, but Nvidia has done it before. 50% to 100% more speed is not so bad. The dx10.1 can offer 10to20% alone so it's really not too bad thing.
This is good news to all those 3870 ovners, who can in future see some dx10.1 support increase.
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Heyyou27 I would really like to be able to play Crysis on Very High someday, but I'm not expecting much.Reply