DirectX 6.0 or not?

Am I going to see any advantage if I replace my DirectX 5 core software with the latest DirectX 6 stuff? If there is a noticeable improvement I will try, unless anyone knows of bugs or problems that I might run into. I am especially keen to see an improvement in the speed of TOCA. Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't bother....unless you obtain a new game that needs it, in which case it will be bundled with that game. Being the advocate of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule, THAT is then the correct time to install it, not before.

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> I doubt you'll see much of an improvement in speed, but you'll see an > improvement in the information that you'll be able to get about your > system. Also, you'll get support for the newer hardware products, and > some newer software titles require it for compatibility. All I can say > is, it seems to work fine for me (thank God). Good luck. > Peace... > Tony Long > > Am I going to see any advantage if I replace my DirectX 5 core software > > with the latest DirectX 6 stuff? If there is a noticeable improvement I > > will try, unless anyone knows of bugs or problems that I might run into. > > I am especially keen to see an improvement in the speed of TOCA. > > Thanks in advance.

-- Regards, Bruce. ---------- The GP Legends Historic Motor Racing Club is located at:- http://www.netspeed.com.au/brucek/legends/

One thing I noticed is that I can task switch to and from N2, which I could not do successfully under DX5.x

I'm not sure about TOCA, but I did see a difference in MTM2. I am running a P166MMX overclocked to 200MMX w/ 32mb RAM and an Intense Voodoo Rush w/ the latest drivers. Peter

Since N2 is a DOS game, how do you explain this? -- Header address intentionally scrambled to ward off the spamming hordes. >One thing I noticed is that I can task switch to and from N2, >which I could not do successfully under DX5.x >>> > Am I going to see any advantage if I replace my DirectX 5 core software >>> > with the latest DirectX 6 stuff? If there is a noticeable improvement I >>> > will try, unless anyone knows of bugs or problems that I might run >into. >>> > I am especially keen to see an improvement in the speed of TOCA. >>> > Thanks in advance. >>-- >>Regards, >>Bruce. >>---------- >>The GP Legends Historic Motor Racing Club is located at:- >>http://www.netspeed.com.au/brucek/legends/

I didn't say it affected N2 simply that I was able to task switch to and from N2. How do I explain this? I let it install new core drivers? I don't really know. Obviously DirectX 6.0 has no effect on N2, and I didn't say it did. Just commenting on my own experience, trying to give just a tad more information. Sorry if I bothered you Greg

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>Since N2 is a DOS game, how do you explain this? >-- >Header address intentionally scrambled to ward off the spamming hordes. >>One thing I noticed is that I can task switch to and from N2, >>which I could not do successfully under DX5.x >>>> > Am I going to see any advantage if I replace my DirectX 5 core >software >>>> > with the latest DirectX 6 stuff? If there is a noticeable improvement >I >>>> > will try, unless anyone knows of bugs or problems that I might run >>into. >>>> > I am especially keen to see an improvement in the speed of TOCA. >>>> > Thanks in advance. >>>-- >>>Regards, >>>Bruce. >>>---------- >>>The GP Legends Historic Motor Racing Club is located at:- >>>http://www.netspeed.com.au/brucek/legends/

DX6 offers a speed increase for any D3D title you own (maybe not noticable but its there) and improves sound support too. The DX6.1 service pack will address more stuff but to be honest DX6 is painless to install, as bug free as the last version and not that big so why not upgrade? The first run of DX6 software will hit the stores Q4 this year so you're as well upgrading now to be honest. M >Am I going to see any advantage if I replace my DirectX 5 core software >with the latest DirectX 6 stuff? If there is a noticeable improvement I >will try, unless anyone knows of bugs or problems that I might run into. >I am especially keen to see an improvement in the speed of TOCA. >Thanks in advance.

It may be a DOS game, but it can be run quite successfully from within Windows95. > Since N2 is a DOS game, how do you explain this? -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

"Upgrade" when the gasme that you want requires DX6. Until then, leave well enough alone. -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

Or even the "game" :o)

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> "Upgrade" when the gasme that you want requires DX6. > Until then, leave well enough alone. > -- > Regards, > Bruce. > ----------

-- Regards, Bruce. ---------- The GP Legends Historic Motor Racing Club is located at:- http://www.netspeed.com.au/brucek/legends/

For what reason exactly? To be honest people have enough "advice" to trawl through without you giving out pearls like this. DX6 is going to be compulsory with new games by Xmas and has been ideal since I started using the beta earlier this year. Hell, it even helped get a bit more out of GPL. Have you upgraded to 6.0? Are you having problems? Is this hearsay? Enquiring minds wish to know. To summarise: DX6 is stable and works perfectly with DX5.x drivers so there is no reason NOT to upgrade unless you're one of these people who still thinks that new fangled "wheel thing" everyone is talking about is a waste of time too. M

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>Or even the "game" :o) >> "Upgrade" when the gasme that you want requires DX6. >> Until then, leave well enough alone. >> -- >> Regards, >> Bruce. >> ----------

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> DX6 offers a speed increase for any D3D title you own (maybe not noticable but > its there) and improves sound support too. The DX6.1 service pack will address > more stuff but to be honest DX6 is painless to install, as bug free as the > last version and not that big so why not upgrade? > The first run of DX6 software will hit the stores Q4 this year so you're as > well upgrading now to be honest.

When is MS going to start auto-centering joystick axes which may be biased toward one side? Every decent game/sim I've ever seen will compensate if your joystick axes does not center perfectly. I was hoping DX6 would fix the problem, but apparently, that's too complex for MS to handle. -- Pat Dotson IMPACT Motorsports

My philosophy, one which has stood not only myself in good stead over the years but also one which countless others subscribe to, is that one does not "upgrade" or "fix" (and I use those terms loosely) until such time as circumstances permit no alternative. It's a very old philosophy, one that has been around for eons. It simply says that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Now, if you want to sarcastically treat that as a "pearl", so be it. I, by the same token could refer to your approach as the "gotta have it" cult: if it's new, then it must be good and one must have it. Go for it! -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

My approach is based on experience of what I am talking about. I was part of the MS beta program for DX6 so can probably talk with a little more authority on the subject than you I would imagine. M

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>My philosophy, one which has stood not only myself in good stead over >the years but also one which countless others subscribe to, is that one >does not "upgrade" or "fix" (and I use those terms loosely) until such >time as circumstances permit no alternative. >It's a very old philosophy, one that has been around for eons. It >simply says that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. >Now, if you want to sarcastically treat that as a "pearl", so be it. >I, by the same token could refer to your approach as the "gotta have it" >cult: if it's new, then it must be good and one must have it. >Go for it!

>> DX6 is painless to install, as bug free as the >>last version and not that big so why not upgrade? >Ah, another great Microsoft advertising campaign - "as bug free as the last >version" ;-) Which means, that for many people the joystick centering is hosed. -- Header address intentionally scrambled to ward off the spamming hordes.

I wouldn't doubt that for a minute, old son, but that's not the point, is it? "If it ain't broke....don't fix it". That platitude dose not debate the statement that you are a skilled beta-tester and neither does it question your knowledge of all things "DX". It simply means what it says! > My approach is based on experience of what I am talking about. I was part of > the MS beta program for DX6 so can probably talk with a little more authority > on the subject than you I would imagine. -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

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>I wouldn't doubt that for a minute, old son, but that's not the point, >is it? >"If it ain't broke....don't fix it". >That platitude dose not debate the statement that you are a skilled >beta-tester and neither does it question your knowledge of all things >"DX". It simply means what it says!

I think that you'll find many people consider the D3D API in DX5.2 horribly broken. Fix it. Z.

dose = does (not "those"! :o)) > That platitude dose not -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

To each his own, Zonk old mate! Mine's fine :o) > I think that you'll find many people consider the D3D API in DX5.2 horribly > broken. Fix it. -- Regards, Bruce. ---------- The GP Legends Historic Motor Racing Club is located at:- http://www.netspeed.com.au/brucek/legends/

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>To each his own, Zonk old mate! >Mine's fine :o) >> I think that you'll find many people consider the D3D API in DX5.2 horribly >> broken. Fix it.

That is your choice granted, but it's silly to throw away the (on average) 10% increase in Frame rate for no cost that DX6 offers over 5.2 in D3D. Z.

"If it ain't broke don't fix it" eh? Well as Mr. Zonker pointed out, D3D in DX5.x is not what it could be (and DX6 D3D is) so that surely means it's broken no? Thus, by your rationale, it needs fixing so why not upgrade? If you're going to bother replying, at least have a useful argument rather than appearing to be replying just to have the last word. M

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>To each his own, Zonk old mate! >Mine's fine :o) >> I think that you'll find many people consider the D3D API in DX5.2 horribly >> broken. Fix it.

>My approach is based on experience of what I am talking about. I was part of >the MS beta program for DX6 so can probably talk with a little more authority >on the subject than you I would imagine. Does anyone know where the hell I can find DX6 to download? God I hate the Microsoft web site. Joe

Try here http://www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp -- Don Burnette Palmetto Racing Dburn on Ten AOLL Iroc Series Administrator http://pages.southtech.net/palmetto/aoll.htm >Does anyone know where the hell I can find DX6 to download? God I hate >the Microsoft web site. >Joe

>Try here >http://www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp Thanks! Joe

But I don't use software acceleration. I use hardware acceleration. > That is your choice granted, but it's silly to throw away the (on average) 10% > increase in Frame rate for no cost that DX6 offers over 5.2 in D3D. -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

By MY rationale.....I have no problem with MY version of DirectX. Ergo, MY version is not broken. Bottom line: MY version don't need fixin'! > " > If you're going to bother replying, at least have a useful argument rather > than appearing to be replying just to have the last word. -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

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>But I don't use software acceleration. >I use hardware acceleration. >> That is your choice granted, but it's silly to throw away the (on average) > 10% >> increase in Frame rate for no cost that DX6 offers over 5.2 in D3D.

It's also apparent that you have no idea that D3D is the 3D Hardware API supported in DirectX. Z.

Bruce, Contratulations, you've just made yourself look like a prize (insert chosen word of derision here). Direct 3D is the API for 3D included with Direct X 5 and 6. It *is* hardware, but rather than a library per hardware set (i.e. glide), it's a standard set of commands that programmers can use that removes the need to write for each chipset. The driver programmers write D3D compatible drivers and that way everyone is happy. As I said before, it'd be helpful if you could avoid commenting on things you plainly have no idea about. It misleads people who apparently think you know what you're talking about. M

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>But I don't use software acceleration. >I use hardware acceleration. >> That is your choice granted, but it's silly to throw away the (on average) > 10% >> increase in Frame rate for no cost that DX6 offers over 5.2 in D3D.

Get OUT! I didn't know that! Stunning stuff! > It's also apparent that you have no idea that D3D is the 3D > Hardware API supported in DirectX. -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

> Bruce, > Contratulations, you've just made yourself look like a prize (insert chosen > word of derision here). Oooh! Easy one..."plonker", "dickhead", "dork", "turkey".....the list is endless! "Fisherman" or "angler" could also be slotted in there without any problem at all! :o) -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

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>Get OUT! I didn't know that! >Stunning stuff! >> It's also apparent that you have no idea that D3D is the 3D >> Hardware API supported in DirectX.

If that is the case Bruce (assuming you have discovered sarcasm in a dictionary), why is it that you assert that you don't need to enjoy the 10% speed advanatage offered because you run in "hardware mode" not "software mode". I apologise to anyone reading who tires of this. I'm just trying to stress that DX6 is not going to bite you, and it is a free upgrade. You are being stupid if you do not take advantage of this. Despite whatBruce would have you believe it is not the satan-hose beast. Z.

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>> Bruce, >> Contratulations, you've just made yourself look like a prize (insert chosen >> word of derision here). >Oooh! Easy one..."plonker", "dickhead", "dork", "turkey".....the list is >endless! "Fisherman" or "angler" could also be slotted in there without >any problem at all! :o)

Australian? Z.

>I apologise to anyone reading who tires of this. I'm just trying to stress >that DX6 is not going to bite you, and it is a free upgrade. You are being >stupid if you do not take advantage of this. Correct. Installing the DX6 core is pretty harmless. This time :-) -- Header address intentionally scrambled to ward off the spamming hordes.

LOL! :o) Yeah, even that, Zonk! > Australian? -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

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> > Bruce, > > Contratulations, you've just made yourself look like a prize (insert chosen > > word of derision here). > Oooh! Easy one..."plonker", "dickhead", "dork", "turkey".....the list is > endless! "Fisherman" or "angler" could also be slotted in there without > any problem at all! :o)

LOL. Glad to hear it Bruce. I was getting a little worried about you there for a second!

Aah, it's always nice to get a bite, Byron! :o) > LOL. Glad to hear it Bruce. I was getting a little worried about you there for a second! -- Regards, Bruce. ----------

Ah, another great Microsoft advertising campaign - "as bug free as the last version" ;-) (sorry, couldn't resist!) Cheers, Richard