Radeon DX8 Support

[Taz4158]

ATI Announces Support for DirectX 8.0 - 7:05 pm EST - diesel [Comments (0)]
ATI's RADEON(TM) family of products delivers the most comprehensive support for the advanced graphics features of DirectX 8.0(TM)



- DirectX 8.0 delivers next level of realism for games slated to be released over the next 6 months

- Owners of the RADEON family of graphics cards will be able to upgrade their drivers to take advantage of the amazing features of DirectX 8.0
TORONTO, Nov. 9 /CNW/ - ATI Technologies Inc. (TSE: ATY, NASDAQ: ATYT) today announced that its RADEON(TM) family of products offers the most comprehensive support for the new 3D graphics features of DirectX 8.0. DirectX 8.0 is Microsoft's latest set of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that provide developers with improved access to the advanced features of high-performance hardware, including 3D graphics accelerators. The latest version of DirectX introduces support for a host of advanced graphical techniques, including volume textures, pixel & vertex shaders, higher order surfaces, and more.

The CHARISMA ENGINE(TM) and PIXEL TAPESTRY(TM) technologies found in ATI's RADEON graphics processors were designed from the ground up with DirectX 8.0 features in mind.

ATI's upcoming DirectX 8.0 display drivers will unleash the full potential of these revolutionary technologies. Some of the new features being enabled through DirectX 8.0 and found only on RADEON include:

- 3D Volume Textures - allow complex lighting effects, realistic fog and clouds, and deformable environments

- Advanced multitexturing (up to 3 textures in a single pass) - permit greater detail and enhanced realism for objects and surfaces

- Keyframe Interpolation - enables advanced character animations, morphing, life-like facial expressions and lip-synching

- 4-matrix Skinning - allows 3D characters that bend and flex naturally

 

[snow]

blah, blah, blah.

How about releasing those drivers already ATI?

 

[Taz4158]

Good point Snow. They're just around the corner.....soooooooooon my friend.

 

[oldfart]

I think ATI has been holding out, waiting for the official (not beta) DX8 to be released. It sounds like the new drivers will be out with the DX8 release <fingers crossed>

 

[snow]

At least 3dfx and nvidia are on the ball. For the most feature rich DX8 card out there, it's pretty sad ATi is last in driver support...AGAIN :|

 

[Robor]

DirectX8 isn't even out yet and already ATI is getting blasted for not releasing DX8 compatible drivers? Sheez! This reminds me of Beta Win2000 users (most using pirated internal releases) complaining about lack of Win2K hardware support from video card makers!

How about this... At least ATI is first in releasing the most feature rich and DX8 supported video card!

Rob

 

[RagingGuardian]

I just hope these drivers somehow boost performance. The card is fast but I do want some Nvidia type increase in overall speed.

 

[Robor]

I'm not sure it's possible for the Radeon 64MB to keep up with the GTS2 just because the Radeon doesn't have the raw power of the GTS. I knew the GTS was faster when I purchased the Radeon but raw speed isn't everything. The Radeon shines in 2D image quality and is loaded with features that the GTS doesn't have. The GTS kick arse in framerate but doesn't have the same 2D image quality or features. No card is perfect I guess.

Rob

 

[Taz4158]

Just wait until the extra pipeline that the Radeon has comes into use. Even now in the high polygon Villagemark test, the Radeon scores around 70 and the GTS in the mid 30s.

 

[Cylon]

Try checking out the frontpage of Rage3d

ATI released new beta drivers recently, and I saw over in the forums over there that they were holding out for the release of DX8 before putting out the next official set of drivers.