
Directx 10 shader model 3.0 driver#
Microsoft claims that the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) offers “unprecedented stability and performance”. Although it’s not directly part of DirectX 10, it’s a backgrounder that’s worth covering. Windows Display Driver Model:DirectX 10 is a major inflection point for Windows graphics, so Microsoft wanted to make sure that it laid solid foundations – this is where Microsoft’s new driver model comes into play. We’re not going to be able to answer that question today, but over the course of this article, we will cover the key decisions made by Microsoft during the development of its new API and then expand into what DirectX 10 is going to mean for gamers.
Directx 10 shader model 3.0 series#
NVIDIA’s DirectX 10 compliant GeForce 8800 series has been the talk of the town since its launch on November 8th and while the chip performs incredibly well in DirectX 9.0 games, DirectX 10 performance is a rather large unknown at the moment.

Along with DirectX 10, Windows Vista will come with DirectX 9.0Ex – this is because pre-DirectX 10 hardware will not work under the new API due to the complete overhaul. Because of the way that Microsoft has designed the new driver model, DirectX 10 will only be available for Windows Vista users and there will not be a version released for Windows XP. With a completely new driver model arriving in Windows Vista, Microsoft’s Direct3D development team decided that the best way forwards was to wipe the slate clean and start from scratch.ĭirectX 10 is probably the most important revolution in games development, at least since the introduction of the programmable shader in DirectX 8.0.

However, there have been a number of limitations in place that have gotten in the way of developers ever since the API’s invention. Possibly the biggest evolution was when Shader Model 3.0 support popped up on NVIDIA’s GeForce 6-series hardware in Spring 2004, but it wasn’t until December that year when Microsoft released the DirectX 9.0c libraries.Įach new instance of DirectX has been an evolution of the previous version that brings support for new hardware features, allowing game developers to push the boundaries of realism that little bit further. Introduction:DirectX 9.0 has been with us since December 2002 and we have seen some good progress made since its inception.
