DirectX 11 Now Available for Windows Vista

DirectX 11 Now Available for Windows Vista

Jason Cross
Nov 2, 2009 12:00 pm

Microsoft has long said, and we have reminded users, that DirectX 11 is not just a Windows 7 technology. The company promised that DirectX 11 will be availalbe for Vista around the same time as the release of its latest and greatest operating system.

And so it has come to pass. Vista users who check Windows Update should see a rather generic "Platform Update" with the reference KB971644. The update is available for Windows Server 2008 as well. In addition to adding DirectX 11, this update adds and XPS document printing library, the Windows Automation API, and an update to the Windows Portable Devices Platform.

Note that DirectX 11 adds DirectCompute, which comes in three flavors - DirectCompute shader model 4.0, 4.1, and 5.0. The 4.0 version contains features allowing it to be run on most DirectX 10 graphics hardware. The 4.1 version is similar, but for DX 10.1 hardware. The 5.0 version of DirectCompute shaders requires DX11 hardware, and is far more robust.

My point is, this update could be useful for Vista users even if you don't have one of those nifty new Radeon 5000 series graphics cards that will run DirectX 11. You'll need it to run DirectCompute accelerated apps (when they start to appear) even on DX10 hardware, and the update contains some other nice updates.
By the way, the update is listed as "Recommended" and may not be automatically applied if you have Windows Update set only to apply critical updates. You may want to check manually.

More at: DirectX 11 Now Available for Windows Vista - PC World

 

[JimJoe]

I don't have a WinXP computer anymore. I was just stating what I saw as SOE's policies on dx10 and dx9c.

 

[Night Hawk]

I don't either! :D (have a few boat anchors onhand however)

The one thing interesting about seeing a version of DX 11 available for Vista is what lacked when Vista was first out and there was no separate version of DX 10 available for XP while was mention of a 9L. In the reverse direction many don't realize 9c will still work on the newer versions since for running older game titles.

 

[rasmasyean]

Or maybe since EQ is so damn old...they can solve the legacy computer / graphics issue by offering a separate client for DX10/11 computers. Like EVE Online.

WoW said they were going to do graphics enhancements for the next expansion. Maybe this is what they will do. I don't imagine Blizzard will want to lose any of their subscriber base who have low-end XP computers...especially a lot of them are prolly in China.

 

[Night Hawk]

While individual gaming sites are far more likely to continue support of XP and even some with Legacy support as well MS is focusing on Vista and newer there by seeing a Direct x upgrade available for Vista from the 10 version it comes with. Likewise you saw that with previous versions of Windows as well as with XP where you could update to 9c until the Vista kernel came along.

 

[7vis]

i think i will wait ontill it comes out in SP3...i installed it on my desktop which has a ATI radeon hd 4850 card and 2.5ghz 2 dual core. to be honest there are some slight changes but nothing that makes it seem like WOW!!! what a difference.....im going to leave it on my desktop but will wait till it comes on on SP3 before putting it on the laptop.

 

[Night Hawk]

That's upto your there. Since there aren't any games at the present time that require DX 11 it's simply an optional item. Direct x goes on in a split second when applied without anything noticed for anything other then games and mulmedia to some extent. Most games unless written for Vista and newer still use 9c for the most part while some of the newer titles will be 10 compliant.

 

[Neriyah]

would love to upgrade my Vista to XP