Right now all the talk in PC gaming is DirectX 10 Graphics.
New hardware and new DX10 games have everyone buzzing
about a new era in PC gaming. But is all the celebration
a little bit premature?

Yes and No!

As with any new technology there is a lag time before
everything catches up, before the new technology is truly
integrated into the old, in this case gaming systems.
The big question on everyone's mind, (especially gamers)
how long will we have to wait before DX10 graphics delivers
the goods?

In other words, how long is the lag time before performance
(what you see in your games) catches up with the technology
DX10 Graphics will ultimately deliver?

For the ordinary consumer who is not a techie or even a
dedicated gamer all this fuss about X10 Graphics can be
downright confusing to say the least. Getting a handle
on even the simplest terminology can be a challenge.

First, you have to understand DirectX is a Microsoft
Windows technology that lets you have higher performance
in sound and graphics when playing games and/or watching
videos on your computer. In the past we have had different
versions of DirectX... DirectX 8, DirectX 9, and with
the introduction of Windows Vista we have DirectX 10.

DX10 Graphics gives us better performance and better
looking PC graphics with clearer, higher resolution
images with more shading and details. It simply means
better overall picture quality and performance; a forward
step to true realism in gaming.

At the heart of DirectX are APIs (Application Programming
Interfaces) which can be oversimplified as a bridge or
way for the hardware and the software to "talk" to each
other. These give you multimedia applications such as
(3-D) graphics acceleration, sound mixing, sound output
and other functions.

We are now seeing higher performing DirectX 10 Graphics
GPUs from top makers such as NVIDIA with their 8800 series,
including the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX and GeForce 8800 GTS.
These GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) will give you better
gaming with greater image quality and performance. HD DVD
and Blu-ray video playback is even possible.

Top gaming manufacturers like Rockdirect in the UK are
now all carrying DX 10 Graphics in their gaming machines.
You will also find many of the major gaming specialists
such as Alienware, Vigor, and Sager sporting DX 10 graphics.

Present or upcoming games that will have DirectX 10
support include Crysis, Shadowrun, World in Conflict,
and Company of Heroes.

Nor should you think DirectX 10 is solely for gamers;
the general PC user will also benefit from better
graphics and higher performance. For instance, the
ability to play and enjoy HD DVD and Blu-ray video
playback on their PCs.

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of DirectX 10
Graphics is that it makes it much more easier for game
designers and developers to create games. For a more
detailed discussion of the technical side of this topic,
you can try Microsoft Game Developer Presentations here:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna/aa937787.aspx

Or you can read this very good, detailed article on
"The Future of PC Gaming" by Tim Smalley presented here:

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2006/11/30/directx10_future_of_pc_gaming/1

The question still remains - is DirectX 10 Graphics
deserving of all the hoopala or fuss?

Yes, but it will be a while before the true benefits
are fully enjoyed by gaming enthusiasts and the
general public. As more DX10 games are developed
and as more powerful gaming hardware become available,
the full potential of better gaming will hopefully
be reached.

But there may be some catching up to do before we
see the real benefits. Many gamers complain that
presently most hardware is more suited to DX9 Graphics.
Here's a very interesting and detailed discussion of
this issue done by X-bit Labs entitled:
"DirectX 10 Games vs. Contemporary Graphics Accelerators"
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/directx10-games.html

Implementing any new technology takes time, as old
technology is gradually replaced by the new. Just
compare it to say switching from VHS to DVD and now
to Blu-Ray, keeping ahead of the latest technology
takes some catching up time. DX9 Graphics will eventually
lose ground to DX10 Graphics.

So it may be a while before DirectX 10 Graphics delivers the
full potential of the ultimate gaming experience but
there is little doubt this technology is the future
of gaming. It may just take a little while before game
developers and hardware makers get all their guns locked
and loaded to give you that ultimate gaming experience.

....
The author has a keen interest in all things laptop and runs
an online Laptop Guide featuring the latest top gaming laptops:
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Copyright © 2007 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely
distributed if this resource box stays attached.