Microsoft quietly releases first glimpse at DirectX 10

[scorchio]

The first DirectX 10 components arrive just in time for the upcoming second Beta of Windows Vista, which Microsoft promised to integrate significant enhancements not only on in terms of feature set, but also in driver and multimedia support. The new operating system, due at the end of 2006, will require a DirectX 9 compatible graphics cards to run all of its eye-candy, but is rumored to also make extensive use of DirectX 10 features.

Other than previous DirectX versions DirectX 9 will coexist with DirectX 10 for some time. According to a Microsoft developer for Direct3D and OpenGL, DirectX 10 will only work with the new operating system. Support for Windows XP is not planned at this time.

Besides Direct3D 10, the DirectX SDK published on Tuesday contains updates to tools, utilities, samples, Documentation, and runtime debug files for x64 and x86 platforms. There also is a pre-release of Microsoft Cross-Platform Audio Creation tool as well as Managed Direct Code (2.0 CLR).

 

[maverik-sg1]

Yeah I read this - not sure how they can co-exist, but I am given to understand that DX10 is the last DX before the move to Vistas native integrated 2d/3d system (that apparenly uses some of the GPU rendering in the desktop features).

Mav

 

[boardy]

It does indeed mav. The new system is VERY graphics intense. I have a copy here at work and it runs(ish) on my LGA775 3Ghz HT, 1Gb RAM, X600 system. I dunno if it's cos it's Dell but it's not the quickest OS ever.

 

[nick25]

Are you guys planning on 'upgrading' to vista when it comes out?

 

[scorchio]

No it is bound to have loads of bugs at first.

 

[boardy]

I'm gonna upgrade yea but only because I need a new copy of windows as my serial key has been stolen and blocked by MS and they wont gimme another. I'm not spending £200 on an OS if Vista is out soon.