[Amel1]

Hello, I am wondering if there is a way i can get Direct X 10... I have Windows Vista Home Premium but i dont see it saying Direct X 10 in fact i think i have 9...How can I get Direct X 10? TIA

[mphenterprises]

Hi Amel and welcome to the PCWorld Communities. :D




First, I have changed your Discussion title to give a clearer indication of your question. For future reference, please be as descriptive as possible in both the heading of your Discussion as well as the post itself.

Now, I believe there is some confusion here. All versions of Vista come with DirectX 10 standard. Here is a news article about the subject.

http://www.theinquir...l-be-vista-only

What leads you to believe you have an earlier version?

[coastie65]

Hi, Click start then run Then type in DXDIAG then OK. This will tell you which version of directX you have although as mph said, all versions of Vista have DX10. coastie65

[Amel1]

but does it apply for all games...or just a few...

[lilxkid24]

Only games compatiable with dx10 like Bioshock and Crysis. Heres a link from wikipedia to show the games that currently support dx10.

[piyushsingh]

Two things
* directx10 come with vista.
* You need a dx10 graphics card to use the dx10 features in games and that too the games that have dx10.

Just having vista is not sufficient for getting dx10 content from dx10 games. A dx10 card (geforce 8 series onwards) is required.
Also having a dx10 card but having win XP (dx9.0c) will not let you get dx10 features.
Most of the new game are dx10 , even some of the older ones are being patched to get dx10 graphic details.

[coastie65]

Hi, The bottom line is, most games today use DX9 and as lilx mentioned, a few that utilize DX10. You can play the games with no problem, but, you will need a DX10 capable video card in order to utilize the DX10 features, otherwise they will play in DX9 even though Vista has DX10. coastie65

[Amel1]

thank you...that makes sense...but what is series 8? i have a Geforce 6150 LE whats that under?

[coastie65]

Hi Amel, I believe that is the graphics chipset that is installed on the motherboard. Series 8 is an Nvidia series of PCIe graphics cards such as 8400,8500,8600 and 8800. These are installed in the PCIe expansion slots and do not as a rule, come preinstalled and you have to purchase it yourself. Most onboard chipsets will be okay for day to day uses, but if you plan on gaming, you should add a PCIe card preferably 8600 GT, GTS, or one in the 8800 Family preferably 8800GT. You also need to make sure you have enough power supply when adding these cards, preferably 500w and up. coastie

[Amel1]

ok..um how do i know where the pci expansion slot is? and if im adding that one do i have to remove my previous graphics card? can u explain this whole concept to me a little better please? and how do i know how many watts my comp has?

[coastie65]

Hi Amel, I'll answer your last question first. Take the cover off the computer. Yhe power cord plugs into the power supply. There will be a label on the side with that information ( 300w, 350w, 400w, and etc. ). As for the graphics card, while you have the cover off you will see the expansion slots. You will most likely have a modem plugged into a PCI (white) slot. If you move up towards the power supply you will see another expansion slot somewhat offset from the PCI slots, if it is black then it is PCIe, if it is red or possibly brown it is an AGP graphics slot and would require an AGP graphics card. AS for the onboard graphics chipset, it just needs to be disabled before installing the new graphics card. This can be done in the device manager. Click start then control panel, then system, click on the hardware tab and look for the graphics adapter. Right click on that and then click on Disable and exit back to desk top. You are now ready to install a new card. Ok, I just gave you the instructions for XP, but I think Vista may be close to the same method. At least you need to go to the places I mentioned, but getting there may be a little different in Vista. If you can give me the make and model # of your computer, I can give you the information you need. coastie

[Amel1]

Its a Dell Dimension E521 with a 6150 Geforce LE

[coastie65]

Hi Amel, Because that is a BTX MOBO & Case, I think there may be a problem with trying to fit an 8800 card in there. I would recommend an 8600 PCIe card. As for the power supply. for the same reasons, ( BTX MOBO ) it is somewhat problematic. There some members that are more capable with Dell than I am, But if the PSU is btx capable it should work. Standard PSU's are ATX, 20 pins 4 pins ( BTX is 16 pins 4 pins ). I am reasonably sure that the PSU in there is a proprietary PSU and you can't just get one off the shelf and put in there. Unfortunately, they are also pricier than a standard ATX PSU. coastie