Could DX11 cause a boom in PC gaming? Explanation inside.

Something I have been thinking about lately, do you think the introduction of the compute shader in DX11 could cause a boom in PC gaming?

The compute shader will provide a standardised method of accelerating applications on the GPU. After the market is saturated with the new Direct X; developers would be more likely to utilise the GPU in their software. Since they wouldn't have the Nvidia/ATI compatibility issues we have today; there would be no worries about only a specific hardware brand being able to use your software.

GPU computing isn't something only companies would benefit from, GPUs are already being utilised in some DVD/Blu-ray playing software and has recently been demonstrated in video converters. Since Microsoft would be officially backing GPU computing; they may even accelerate different aspects of Windows.

What does GPU software acceleration matter to PC gamers; other than some of the GPU physics demonstrated of course? Well Intel cannot throw out a new integrated chipset to support this like they did with aero glass, GPU computing requires a decent GPU with plenty of memory and shaders to perform well. So if GPU computing was broadly adopted thanks to its standardisation in DX11, most retail computers would benefit from a good GPU in much of the same way a better CPU does.

That means a significant increase in the number of PCs sold with at least an entry level graphics card; with better GPUs actually providing a measurable performance increase in daily applications. I don't really need to explain what that would do for the PC gaming ready install base, providing game developers with a much larger audience to sell to. Obviously they wouldn't be bleeding edge setups, but it would be a much better situation than we are in today because of Intel integrated chipsets.

This is of course all theory, GPU computing not becoming broadly applied in consumer applications would negate all this. It is however an interesting possibility, we will have to wait and see.

I don't think it is gonna do much. Just like dx10 haven't done much. Dx10 has been out for a while now, and it has only been utilized in a couple of games so far. I think the reason why developers don't want to make games for it, is because not everybody has vista so not everybody are able to use it, and most important, it must some how be easier for developers to port console games to pc as dx9, because it has only been pc exclusive games there has utilized dx10 graphics.

I don't think it is gonna do much. Just like dx10 haven't done much. Dx10 has been out for a while now, and it has only been utilized in a couple of games so far. I think the reason why developers don't want to make games for it, is because not everybody has vista so not everybody are able to use it, and most important, it must some how be easier for developers to port console games to pc as dx9, because it has only been pc exclusive games there has utilized dx10 graphics.

TheFreeloader

I dont think its gonna do squat, of course it would be cool if it did though...

I guess the good ol way of making brilliant games exclusive for pc is a good start if you want a pc gaming boom.

dx10 is not the problem. the problem is vista. if dx10 was available on xp. it will be great for pc gamers.aoshi_shinumori

since the service pack, 32-bit Vista is much improved with playing PC games, but it still isn't quite with XP. Much closer now though.

I couldn't run SS2 on either one, and I can't get Medieval: Total War (original) to run on Vista.

However, Half-Life 2, NoLF 2, Guild Wars, Morrowind, Starcraft, Age of wonders 2, HoMM III, Planescape: Torment, Baldurs gate 2, and FarCry all run fine on my Vista Home Premium. Max Payne has some sound issues (graphic novel portion only) but otherwise works as well as XP.

How did this thread become about DX10? The subject is DX11 and the introduction of the compute shader.AnnoyedDragon

Because people still have memories over Directx 10. They think they got ripped off so they are now blowing off Directx 11. Also I think you went over alot of peoples heads over your orignal post.

I can't even comprehend how resource intensive dx11 would be, especially with the unreasonable resources dx10 requires with very little added benefit.Qixote

There are no DX10 native games, only DX9 games with DX10 modifications. The goal of DX10 was to eliminate redundant code by cutting backwards compatibility, if it is just slapped over DX9 native code it won't receive those benefits. Do people honestly think cross platform games that have to account for consoles will have native DX10 support?

The reason for this is the DX10 and Vista install base is still too small to justify native support, only Microsoft really has an incentive to make a game Vista only.

If you want an idea of what native Dx10 support would provide; I'd check out DX10 only tech demos by Nvidia and ATI.

There are no DX10 native games, only DX9 games with DX10 modifications. The goal of DX10 was to eliminate redundant code by cutting backwards compatibility, if it is just slapped over DX9 native code it won't receive those benefits. Do people honestly think cross platform games that have to account for consoles will have native DX10 support?

The reason for this is the DX10 and Vista install base is still too small to justify native support, only Microsoft really has an incentive to make a game Vista only.

If you want an idea of what native Dx10 support would provide; I'd check out DX10 only tech demos by Nvidia and ATI.

AnnoyedDragon

If a game is going to make dx10 mode available and make it the default mode as some games are doing, then I don't want to hear these silly excuses for why it doesn't perform well on the majority of gamers machines. If dx10 is not ready for primetime, then MS should not be putting pc owners through this exercise of aggravation, disappointment, and smoke and mirrors.

DX11 is going to be Vista compatible right?

I guess it all depends how Vista adoption rates will be by then, or Windows 7 for that matter. I think one of the biggest problems dx10 had were just the bad publicity and name Vista got. As long as Microsoft doesn't "screw up" Windows 7, dx11 might have a shot at becoming the norm.

Something I have been thinking about lately, do you think the introduction of the compute shader in DX11 could cause a boom in PC gaming?

AnnoyedDragon

Not in the least. It's the perceived notion that every game that comes out is going to be pirated that is forcing developers to make games cross platform, thus "simplifying" gameplay for console players. This makes the PC version of these games feel "dumbed down". Until developers return to "PC only" games (which will be when pigs fly), PC gaming will slowly fall off the radar. Right now I have a hard time finding PC games in stores.