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Home » Computers And Internet Articles » Will Directx 10 Graphics Deliver Better Gaming

Will DirectX 10 Graphics Deliver Better Gaming?

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 and 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_p c_gaming/1

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

Yes, but it will be awhile 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.ht ml

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 awhile 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.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Reducing Credit Card Debt

Introduction

One of the easiest "things" that can happen in life is the ratcheting up of a large credit card debt. For whatever reason, making purchases with credit cards seems easier than spending cash to obtain a product or service.

Maintaining high levels of credit card debt is not prudent. The interest rates associated with most credit cards is high. In fact, many people have managed to rack their card balances up so high that only the minimum payment is made each month. As a result, these people are taking years if not decades to pay down their credit card balances, all the while wasting an incredible sum of money in interest payments alone.

In this article, a number of strategies to reduce credit card debt are presented. These tips are general in nature but will provide a person with credit card debt a solid plan for reining in credit card balances.

Overall Strategy

Target the highest rates of interest. If you can, transfer the balance to another credit card, where you will achieve a zero or low interest rate for a set period. While this balance is not costing interest you can target other debts that are. Make sure you are prepared for when the offer period runs out and have another balance transfer offer (http://www.chooseacreditcard.co.uk/balancetransfers.html) ready to take over. You should look to have your credit card application (http://www.creditcard-applications.gb.com) a few weeks before your current offer period runs out. If you cannot transfer the balance then pay off as much as you can afford, so the balance reduces as quickly as possible.

Take Advantage of Credit Card Offers

Credit card companies are very competitive and as such there are some very good 0% balance transfers (http://www.chooseacreditcard.co.uk/balancetransfers.html) and purchase offers (http://www.chooseacreditcard.co.uk/0InterestCreditCards.html) available. Look to take advantage of these, but make sure you have a plan in place on how to deal with the balance when the offer finishes. Remember that the debt has not gone away.

Debt Consolidation Loan

As mentioned previously in this article, credit card accounts usually have high interest rates. The combination of high interest rates and free spending patterns can result in the rapid escalation of credit card debt.

A debt consolidation loan can be an excellent tool to assist in the reduction of credit card debt. Consolidation loans carry interests rates far below those of credit cards. In the long run, a great deal of money can be conserved through the use of a debt consolidation loan.

Chop Up Credit Cards

While in many segments of society, the word "self restraint" is passé, out of style like last year's fashions. But, in reality, the very best way of reducing credit card debt is through self restraint.

Of course, it is easy to bandy around the words "self restraint" and much, much harder to practice personal control.

Although it might seem comical on the surface, cutting up credit cards is a perfect first step to reducing credit card debt. No cards, no charging, less debt.

Automatic Monthly Payments

Many people leave the payment of their credit card accounts at the bottom of the monthly bill pile. Other primary accounts -- rent, electricity, phone, and the like -- understandably take a higher priority over credit card bills. But, oftentimes a person will spend money on incidental purchases before taking on credit card balances. In the end, the credit card account may not be paid on at all or, if so, after the deadline.

One way to ensure that credit card payments are made and one way to ensure that credit card debt is kept under some degree of control is via an automatic payment system on credit card accounts. A person's bank can arrange for the credit card account to be paid automatically each and every month.

By ensuring that at least a base payment is made on credit card accounts each and every month, accelerated interest rates and late fee penalties will be avoided.

Conclusion

In this article, three strategies for reducing credit card debt have been presented:

• debt consolidation
• self restraint
• automatic payments

By following one or all of these strategies, a person will work towards a more solid and satisfactory financial position.