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It is time to say "so long" to DirectX 8 hardware.

10/27/2007 < Previous Next >

Early this year I posted a question: Is it time to say "so long" to DirectX 8 hardware? Along with that I discussed why I was raising the question. It turns out that Microsoft has essentially forced the answer. In a recent update to their DirectX SDK, they have removed support for a critical technology that allowed us to maintain a level of support for DirectX 8 hardware. Because of this, the October 2007 Edition of SSP will require DirectX 9 hardware for any use of high-end graphics features.

The term "high-end" graphics features generally means visualizations, 3D transitions and animations, and advanced image processing effects (RipFX). Other more basic features like video motion backgrounds, soft shadows, and simpler effects do work without DirectX 9 hardware, but performance is may be an issue.

Fortunately, requiring DirectX 9 hardware is not the issue that it was back when high-end graphics features were first introduced into SSP in 2003 . Any recent computer is likely to have a DirectX 9 hardware, and upgrading to a DirectX 9 video card is fairly inexpensive now.

(BE119)

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Comments:

cnorgangrad

10/30/2007 12:46:40 PM

Hey! Is the new version going to be ready by tomorrow??? I'm getting excited about the new version!

akins

10/30/2007 5:59:54 PM

How can one tell if they have DirectX 9 hardware?

Dick

dreece

10/30/2007 11:53:53 PM

Posted By akins on 10/30/2007 5:59 PM
How can one tell if they have DirectX 9 hardware?

Dick

For nVidia cards, anything from the 5000 line and later is considered DirectX 9 hardware. For ATI, anything from the 9500 and later is also considered DirectX 9 hardware. For any other hardware, I recommend checking with the manufacturer.

I should also clarify that this pronouncement is not intended to imply that the use of just any DirectX 9 hardware is advisable. Some of the more advanced features of SSP, like CinFX and RipFX, will not perform well on older DirectX 9 hardware. You should seek the best hardware that will perform according to your intended use of SSP. And if you are considering the purchase of new hardware, please review our KB article DI009 which lists the latest hardware and drivers we've tested with SSP.