Microsoft's Ben Basaric clarifies
Contary to what Product Marketing Manager for Windows Ben Basaric had to say earlier in the week, it is now confirmed DirectX 11 (the latest API collection) will be built into Windows 7, Microsoft's next operating system (OS). More than that, X11 will also be available for Windows Vista users, though it's not clear if it will be released when that OS' Service Pack 2 hits (before 7).
One of the APIs, Direct 3D 11, has been revealed to include GPGPU, tessellation and improved multi-threading support, the latter meaning better gaming for those who use multi-core processors. Tessellation and Shader Model 5.0 will require hardware which supports the new API, but for the stubborn and/or cheap folk, parts of Direct3D 11 will be supported on 9/10/10.1-class hardware.
PTaylor of Aces Studio notes this means "Microsoft has not "forgotten" PC gaming; which some critics seem to think. Which is a very good thing."
If you care to check out the progress on Windows 7 and/or DirectX 11, be sure to head over to the Engineering Windows 7 blog -- it's good readin'.
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Edit: You know what, I forgot DX3 is going to be a console game as well, so scrap that idea.
But I think even the most optimistic predictions would have to place any DX11 games a long way off... especially with the big economic collapse and such, people aren't going to be racing to the stores just to buy Dx11 cards just on principle.
I'm planning to build a custom PC late 2008 or early 2009. I don't want to wait for this >_<
I wonder if Vista Home Premium can be easily upgraded to this new Windows 7, without it costing an arm and a leg?
Doubtful though....
If I'm not mistaken upgrading it's supposed to be much easier this time..the sources have more info.
So, the people that want the very latest shaders (who cares THAT much lol), will go out and buy the new cards.
This just means that we can finally buy a 4870X2 for CHEAP!
Ms never shooted themself in the foot.Display stack architecture is totally different from xp to vista.it`s called evolution. It would have been very hard and stypid to make dx10 to xp.Display stack and drivermodel are tweaked for 7 . In vista they made new foundation and in 7 they have tweked it. Read from tehnical documents form ms bloggers before you post.