I apologize if this has already been posted but it appears NVIDIA will have the first DirectX 10-compliant graphics card in Nov (just in time for Christmas!). Read here for further info: http://www.tweakguides.com/.Jim

There's a lot to be careful about here. `Compliant` and `Compatible` are two very different concepts in computering and what is NOT being said, or claimed, is that these are the first of the DX10 cards. It is speculation.They may be the last of the DX9 cards, but with some additional hardware or software support to make them ready to transition to DX10 when its' released with Vista, but that's a long way from assuring us its optimised for DX10. And in any case, what are you going to use with XP in the meantime? FSX is released as a DX9 game. There is no rush to DX10 for gamers at this point. There are no DX10 games, not even FSX. MS promise a patch or enhancement, but there has been no discussion of timescales. As released, it's DX9 only.MS will want the new API to have FSX to highlight the capabilities of DX10 as soon as possible after Vista release, but that's a way away from saying that FSX is optimised for Vista/DX10 and in need of these cards! I would be very, very careful about committing to DX10 cards at this point. None of our tech support specialists at work have even seen DX10 in operation yet, other than a few presentations and slides. If they promise and deliver fantastic performance under DX9 as well, a generation ahead of anything available now, then they may be worth a punt. But not yet. To be clear, Windows Vista ships with DirectX9.L, a fully optimised `new` version of DX9 and this will co-exist alongside DX10 so games can be run under Vista just like now, with existing graphic cards. DX10 will NOT be retro-compatible with any previous Windows OS, so it follows to get the benefit from DX10 API, games will have to be written for it, not `ported` across. The change to DX10 will be triggered by the availablity of dedicated cards, yes, but also by something to use them with. FSX is closer to a `compliant` model than `optimised`, and I certainly haven't seen anything in the beta or demo to hint at a second API lurking in the background, waiting to be unleashed! But of course the API needs a demonstration tool to persuade game developers and programmers to switch. FSX will probably be that tool.For now, watch and wait is my take on all this. Allcott

Excellent advice, Allcott.Bob

"And in any case, what are you going to use with XP in the meantime? FSX is released as a DX9 game. There is no rush to DX10 for gamers at this point. There are no DX10 games, not even FSX. MS promise a patch or enhancement, but there has been no discussion of timescales. As released, it's DX9 only."Alcott,At the AVSIM Convention, it was my understanding from presentations that the MS Aces Team is already working on the patch and it will be ready as soon as DX10 and DX10 compatible video cards are released. In fact, the patch is almost complete (as of the conference). The patch will be posted on the FS Insider site when it is ready with explicit instructions the patch will not work w/o DX10, VISTA, and, of course, FSX. It could be possible that those who have the VISTA beta will get DX10 as soon as the video cards come out or you'll be able to go to the DX site and download DX10 if you have VISTA Beta and own a DX10 compatible card. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if DX10 isn't part of the software package that comes with the video card.I totally agree with you, we'll just have to watch and wait but it sure is starting to get interesting....Best regards,Jim

Allcott,This is the best piece of advice I have seen for ages. I been searching the net endeavouring to find out more about DX10 and FSX. You have given me the answer.ThanksAndrew

Jim,I also attended the AVSIM convention but heard a very different story from the developers. Nobody, including ACES, have any DX10 cards in hand, so work on the patch has not even started. Therefore, I would not anticipate that a FSX DX10 patch can align with the first DX10 hardware release. With respect to timeline, I would have to agree with Allcott 100%.Best,Rich

The Aug SDK is still the latest DirectX one released. the DirectX10 APIs are in there, but I don't think MS has committed to freezing them at this point, so any code developed is subject to revision. The Aug SDK includes a DX10 "technology preview demonstrator" that runs on Vista 5600 RC1 build.scott s..