I'm new to FSX and was just curious how many folks in the community use the DirectX 10 versus the DirectX 9. What do you prefer and why?

 

My limited understanding is that DirectX 10 may offer better performance and possibly better visuals, however on the downside, its often quirky and needs a bit of handholding to get set up properly. As I get started with FSX, I'm trying to determine whether I should invest the time and energy to attempt to get it running in DirectX 10 or whether I'd be better off in DirectX 9 (Windows 7, 64-Bit).

 

Thanks!

Using DX9 mode always, for years. The I saw DX10 shader patches from Steve and thought "this can be a winner".

So I decided to try out DX10 mode with latest shader patches from Steve few weeks ago. Perfomance was exactly the same, except that you can turn on bloom without hit on fps, which was quite shocking to me comparing to the massive hit in DX9 mode. Water also looks better and more crisp. And now the important part - DX10 mode was very unstable on my machine, crashing FSX on almost every longer (more that 30 minutes) jetliner flight. So I was back on DX9 without thinking, bloom and crisp water are not worth it.

I gave it a try, didn't see enough difference to be worth it. My test flight included an area with lots of radio towers, and from one angle they were black inside, but normal from the other direction. I decided not to pursue a solution to the problem. Sorta like when I first tried the DX10 preview and saw the z order fighting on the runway markings.

 

I may try it again in a few months time.

 

Hook

I went back to DX9 last night after arriving at Aerosoft's Dusseldorf just after sunset only to find all the taxiways and half the building textures missing. Nice way to have your flight ruined.