DirectX 9 features in HL2

B

BiG O

Guest
I was wondering if anyone knew what the specific DirectX 9 effects will be in HL2. I know the new FX cards and 9700+ cards support it, but I'm not sure if it'll be worth it for me to upgrade from a gforce4 ti4600. I'm thinking about getting a 9800 pro, but I'm not sure if it's worth it since they fixed the AA problems and all... Thanks ahead of time.
 
Yes, the new FX cards and the radeon 9000 line support DX9. The upgrade is up to you. I would do it, so i could play at max and all the other new games coming out for quite awhile. Whats the rest of your specs?
 
Not all the 9000 series do, 9500 and above do, 9000-9200 do not
 
My specs:

P4 2.0Ghz 512k L2 cache, 400fsb
512MB RDRAM
SoundMAX integrated sound
GeForce4 ti4600 128MB

No one has specified what exactly the new DirectX 9 features are. I know i can run HL2 with my current system, but how many new graphical effects will I be missing out on?
 
Basically nothing, itll pretty much be a better IQ and more FPS with the 9800 pro. I would keep that system as it is. Uhh you cant really specify exact DX9 features, or maybe you can. I dont know though.
 
As far as I know, DirectX 9 compatible cards are capable of producing some kinds of new particle effects, shadows, etc. But it would nice to know exactly what I'd be missing if I didn't have a 9800 pro (besides more fps)
 
there are several effects, search around old posts, there is a link to an article showing what effects are available with what version cards.
 
Water refraction and reflection is dx9 only? Well that's odd, I create and render 3d scenes with all that and I have a ti 4600. And I'v seen similair water effects in many games.
 
get a lower end DX 9 card, I got the 9800 non pro for about 200. :)
 
Source: Gabe Newell
DX9 will be faster as you can do more in a single pass. There will be a number (which increases over time) of DX9 features like high dynamic range lighting which only work on DX9 cards. The list is fairly plastic, as we will be adding new DX9 features, and as we figure out how to do something in DX8 that we initially didn't think we could get to work.
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The ignorance here is staggering. Just post if you know the answer and shut up if you don't. As the chart says.

a more complex diffuse shader model per pixel and per vertex.

Radiosity-Based Specular Bump-Mapping on NPC's

Soft render-to-texture shadows
 
uh im not sure if i have the newest DirectX 9 download, i remember downloading a directx 9 something along time ago but it was like a beta thing. Isn't there a command where i can see everything i have, like direct x and tons of other shit, operating system, etc...its a command in the "run" that you gotta type in...anyone know?
 
I create and render 3d scenes with all that and I have a ti 4600
Click to expand...
You do realise that rendering out scenes in a 3d package doesn't hit your 3d card right?
 
Unless you have a direct 9 specific card, you don't really need to have direct x 9 at all. I always get the latest updates anyway, even though I have a Direct X 8 card. Even with Direct X 9 software, I won't be able to see any Direct X features, as I don't have a card that can process the new features. However it may make the performance of the DX8 features perform faster. I dunno.

What graphics card do you have?
 
Originally posted by BiG O
My specs:

P4 2.0Ghz 512k L2 cache, 400fsb
512MB RDRAM
SoundMAX integrated sound
GeForce4 ti4600 128MB

No one has specified what exactly the new DirectX 9 features are. I know i can run HL2 with my current system, but how many new graphical effects will I be missing out on?
Click to expand...

:eek: that like IS one of my systems... is rd ram any good NOBODY uses it!
 
I manipulate these scenes in real-time, so I always just guessed it was using my card. I know still images work off software.
 
9700 pro, but there is a menu or something you can see at what directX you have, 9700 is a DirectX 9 right? I still wanna download these newest one, just not sure....anyone know the command though? Or know what im talking about?
 
If you all want to see how DX 9 video card support helps, go to www.futuremark.com and download 3d Mark 2003. All the tests use shaders based on DX 9. In the E3 vid Gabe discusses how the shaders they use incorporate the same technology that Pixar uses in their films. In other words, the higher end card you go (Radeon 9800), the better performance you'll get with shaders.

As it is right now with my current vid card (Geforce 3 Ti 200) I don't even get over 10 fps on any of the tests, with the exception of Wings of Fury. This is because the tests are chock full of DX 9 shaders and the like. Radeon 9800 FULLY supports DX 9, so you'll get some sweet performance off of it.
 
Originally posted by tokin
uh im not sure if i have the newest DirectX 9 download, i remember downloading a directx 9 something along time ago but it was like a beta thing. Isn't there a command where i can see everything i have, like direct x and tons of other shit, operating system, etc...its a command in the "run" that you gotta type in...anyone know?
Click to expand...


Start, Run, dxdiag <enter> :)
 
<mr burns style> excellent! </mr burns style>
 
Originally posted by alb1221
:eek: that like IS one of my systems... is rd ram any good NOBODY uses it!
Click to expand...

RDAM produces alot of heat and is expensive. What cooling system do you have?
 
Oh yeah... I forgot to tell you... yeah it's what he said :eek:
 
Long story short, with a dx9 based card you will get much better performance, higher quality lighting, certain special effects such as true refraction of water and the real time monitors. Also note that dx8 cards cannot produce displacement mapping quality akin to dx9 cards. HL2 is using this on pretty much every texture you see in the enviroment to make things seem less flat. So you will probably enjoy a much better presentation as well as faster frame rates if you upgrade to a 9700/9800pro.
 
ya but if u dont have the cash for it then dont worry about it. i think dx8 card should work fine.
 
Heh heh, just got me a new Radeon 9800 pro on E-Bay for $309. Plus shipping only $319. Not too bad for $80 off the retail price.

For anyone who is short on cash I would highly recommend looking at E-Bay for a Radeon 9800 Pro. I've seen several sellers who have posted it for around the same price range as mine, as some for even lower.
 
Originally posted by spitcodfry
Heh heh, just got me a new Radeon 9800 pro on E-Bay for $309. Plus shipping only $319. Not too bad for $80 off the retail price.

For anyone who is short on cash I would highly recommend looking at E-Bay for a Radeon 9800 Pro. I've seen several sellers who have posted it for around the same price range as mine, as some for even lower.
Click to expand...
was it brand new? Buying video cards on ebay can be kinda risky because ppl can sell you overclocked cards that may not have a very long life span. But ya ebay is good to get things for cheap. You just have to know where to find the good deals. :cheese:
 
all the effect are listed in a pc magazine that's on store shelves...its got a big thing on the cover that says "Will your PC be able to run HALF-LIFE 2?" and a pic of gordon....you cant miss it, unless they took it off.... if you have dx8 or higher, u can run everything, but DX9 has the most "sub-option" in each catagory if you will......like the bump-mapping. if you have a dx8 card, you can have bump-mapping, but if you have a dx9 card, there are some bump-mapping features that wern.t present b4.....
 
Originally posted by BiG O
LoL, $400 on water effects... no thanks
Click to expand...

its not just for water effects dipshit. If someone got a 9800pro it would last them 2-3 years.



Heh heh, just got me a new Radeon 9800 pro on E-Bay for $309. Plus shipping only $319. Not too bad for $80 off the retail price.
Click to expand...

well why did ya do that? Getting it off ebay is bad if they are used like someone said. I got my BRAND NEW - RETAIL 9800pro 128 for $300. At comp usa they got a great deal. $100 in rebates. its an Xtasy btw. Just as good as sapphire and ATi for you weird ppl that think differently.
 
Originally posted by kanarico
was it brand new? Buying video cards on ebay can be kinda risky because ppl can sell you overclocked cards that may not have a very long life span. But ya ebay is good to get things for cheap. You just have to know where to find the good deals. :cheese:
Click to expand...

User has a a 99.4% approval rating and is dubbed a "Power Seller" by E-Bay. The item description says 'box opened for inspection.' So, no, they didn't overclock.

Any yes, Hunter, its brand new. I actually just checked with my local Comp USA and they told me that they haven't had any special offers on that card for at least several months. No rebate information to speak of in the product spec page on the Comp USA website either. So unless you're referring to a deal I'm unaware of, there are no rebates for the 9800 pro there right now.
 
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