Direct X confusion!

[spilok 1,132]

Phil Taylor recommends downloading the latest Direct X version. However, it's still a 9 version. My Vista Ultimate came with Direct X 10. For the sake of FSX, should I download and install the version Phil recommends for FSX performance or NOT? Will I be able to get back the Direct X 10 when I need it? I'm not sure I understand this situation. Looking for some professional guidance here. Stan

[W2DR 1,859]

Stan - Vista shipped with, and runs, both DX9 and DX10. They are two entirely separate parts of the OS and you can safely update DX9 without worry of "messing with" DX10. The DX9 version shipped with Vista was not a current version (some estimates place it all the way back to 2004) and it could use some upating. Just another example of poor work by MS on the Vista release.DougEdited because I can't spel

[Novation 534]

Doesn't the lastest DirectX runtime contain updates for versions 9 & 10?. The download at Guru3d.com states Dx9 & 10 in it's download section.Checking the unpacked directory it certainly seems to contain d3d10.dll's.

[RFields5421 1]

Even if it does, an older version will not overwrite a newer version in most MS installers.If it has that capacity - it will give you a big warning message.

[scott967 62]

I agree that the naming conventions that MS use makes it difficult to determine the applicability of DX upgrades. What complicates things more is that there are "parallel" installs of "regular" D3D, and "managed code" D3D. If you look in the windowssystem32 folder you will see what appears to be the same d3d_xx.dll files in vista as in XP, so I assume Vista "DirectX10" will use those for DirectX9-based game graphics.If you search MS download site on directX, you see: DirectX End-user runtimedxwebsetup.exe ver 9.20.1057 date 7/31/2007Supported Operating Systems:"... Windows Vista; Windows Vista Business; Windows Vista Business 64-bit edition; Windows Vista Business N; Windows Vista Enterprise; Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit edition; Windows Vista Home Basic; Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit edition; Windows Vista Home Basic N; Windows Vista Home Premium; Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition; Windows Vista Starter; Windows Vista Starter N; Windows Vista Ultimate; Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition; ... "scott s..

[aerdt 0]

It is actually quite simple: DX10 is backwards compatible with DX9. The Vista desktop itself (Aero) is rendered in DX9.There are some newer DX9 run-times since the release of Vista, so for now you can install the latest DX9 on top of Vista. Once DX10 *really* gets some momentum with more DX10 games (including the FSX/DX10 patch and the DX10 patch for Vista Aero), you might want to update to the latest DX10 run-times, assuming, of course, you have a DX10 graphic board.Pat

[PhilTaylor 45]

Please remember its not just the traditional runtime, D3DX is now shipped as a DLL in the runtime.The June 2007 DX Redist contains an updated D3DX that allows FSX to use the /3G switch and fix our use of D3DX. This is for both DX9 and DX10.

[maxter 0]

Will, a normal Auto Windows Update do the trick?Cheers,Chris Porter:-outtaPerthWestern AustraliaCheck out my 5th Around the World flight with MS FSX at http://members.iinet.com.au/~portercbp/fly...W_05/index.html

[Guest shmurphy]

Hi With me running FSX on vista and having just purchased the MSI 8800 ultra. i'm i right in saying that all i need now is the DX10 patch for FSX and i will see the benifits of DX10. Thanks Shaun

[W2DR 1,859]

Yes. When the patch is released you'll be ready-to-go. - Doug

[PhilTaylor 45]

No, I believe you have to download this one yourself. I could be wrong, but that is my initial expectation.