A DX-10 question

[Drew]

Does anyone know whether we will see that much difference in dx 10 versus dx
9 games and do you think it is worth waiting on a wider variety of dx 10
cards to come out...
I am currently running a 7900gs Nvidia card but this board supports Ati's
crossfire and I am going to be switching...I was curious whether to do it
now or wait a yr and see what comes down the pipeline's so to speak...Most
of what I play are racing sim's such as Rfactor,,Live for speed (not the
need for speed series) netkar Pro or GTR2...These are higher end but I do
not think they are necessarily DX10 ready....Any observations would help

 

[sibrecat]

i would hang fire for the moment the 8600 series is coming out any time soon
and that should have the desired price knock on effecton 8800 cards, I have
only read about one DX10 patch coming out for current games, think it pay to
wait a while

 

[Drew]

aah yes but that would be an Nvidia card....The 8600 will certainly be
cheaper than the 8800 but I am really interested in Ati's crossfire
cards....Thanks for your help

 

[Dale White]

I've only seen teh crysis demos of DX 10 and I haven't seen the same thing
renedered in DX9.0c. So it's hard to say at this time.

I don't think you'll have to wait a year, ATI is *Suppose* to release their
new cards in May. And the first DX10 game aren't listed untul Aug-Sept
(though obviously dates might change). Supreme Commander is suppose to
release a DX10 patch, so is Flight Sim X. Not sure about CnC3. Bioshock,
Hellgate London, Unreal Tournament andCrysis are the big titles I'm looking
at to measure the DX10 games and thus cards.

Here's some promo screenshots of DX10 titles
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=77741

I'm not for sure the first generation of DX10 games are going to offer a
huge leap over DX9.0c. They might, maybe they are really putting some solid
effort into making a super launch of DX10 titles. More then likely, the
first batch will give us some nice visuals, maybe a performance gain, but it
will be the games in 2008 and 2009 that will really bring DX10 to life.

Absolutely no reason to buy at this time, until ATI releases their cards,
and then I would wait for at least 1 DX10 game to come out and show it's
stuff. I'm buying a card for Crysis no matter what, as I don't think my
X1900XTX is going to cut it.

 

[Drew]

Thanks Dale I appreciate the in-depth response...I do not particularly play
any so called war games but I am more into the simulators (racing or Flying)
but as always appreciate a knowledgeable person who is up on this stuff...

 

[Dale M. White]

Just keep in mind that some of this stuff is a moving target and runs in and
out of the rumor mill. I'll have to find the article again, but I read from
the developers that Halo 2 for the PC (and Vista only) is actually only
DX9.0c, but you look around and others list it has DX10. Company of Heroes
is suppose to be DX10 with a patch, others will say it's not.

ATI has moved their R600 series cards back a few times now, and May is
projected.

So keep your ear to the ground as nothing is written in stone.

According to Dustin, Flight Sim X's DX10 patch isn't due out until late
fall. if that's one of the Sims you're keeping an eye on

 

[Robert Moir]

aah yes but that would be an Nvidia card....The 8600 will certainly be
cheaper than the 8800 but I am really interested in Ati's crossfire
cards....Thanks for your help

Well ATI and NVidia both have an effect on each others cards in the market.
While the 8800 is the only product out there with DX10 support and it is
also a 'premium' part ATI only have to release something roughly equal to it
to say they're in the game. You won't start seeing real good value from
either manufacturer until they launch revised models and start actually
competing with each other.

My opinion (my own personal plan in fact) would be to keep your current card
as it's 'good enough' (as is my X1800XT) for now, and wait for the market to
stop moving. In either case, you're not really missing that much by sticking
for a little while longer.

 

[Slap]

Well ATI and NVidia both have an effect on each others cards in the
market. While the 8800 is the only product out there with DX10 support and
it is also a 'premium' part ATI only have to release something roughly
equal to it to say they're in the game. You won't start seeing real good
value from either manufacturer until they launch revised models and start
actually competing with each other.

My opinion (my own personal plan in fact) would be to keep your current
card as it's 'good enough' (as is my X1800XT) for now, and wait for the
market to stop moving. In either case, you're not really missing that much
by sticking for a little while longer.

AMD reported a bad 1st. Qtr. Shipments apparently plunged by 28%. They
will fill only 'critical' job openings and shave $500 million from this
years capital expenditure budget. They just bought ATI last year... maybe
hoping for some help by bringing in some vid card revenue. The ATI arm is
having trouble there tho isn't it.

They have a meeting April 19 to discuss the overhaul.

 

[Razzle Fratz]

Partly good advice.

The market will never stop moving. It is much like a moving train and we
need to jump on when we feel the need.

I have the X1900XT and it is GREAT!

I will probably upgrade when there is an upgrade to go to in another 6
months or so.

DX10 should be firmly entrenched by then...a year at the most.

 

[Robert Moir]

AMD reported a bad 1st. Qtr. Shipments apparently plunged by 28%. They
will fill only 'critical' job openings and shave $500 million from this
years capital expenditure budget. They just bought ATI last year... maybe
hoping for some help by bringing in some vid card revenue. The ATI arm is
having trouble there tho isn't it.

They have a meeting April 19 to discuss the overhaul.

Well yes, but I'm not sure how that changes what I was saying. I will add
that whether or not someone is a 'fan' of one manufacturer over another, or
just likes to buy whatever looks good at the time, the last thing we want as
consumers is for AMD/ATI or any other similar company to disappear.

 

[Dale M. White]

I agree, as I've stated before. Intel needs AMD, ATI needs Nvidia, Microsoft
needs Linux\MAcs, Ford\Chevy needs Toyota\Honda, Wal mart needs K-mart.

If AMD\ATI disappear, I would not be a happy camper. If no one is pushing
the other, then their is little need for Price reductions and innovation.