Question DirectX question

[berserker0]

Hi! Perhaps this question will seem a bit odd. I wonder if newer videocards (which have support for DirectX 9, 10 and 11 versions) can run games that require older DirectX versions (1 to 8)? If not, why don't they automatically support older versions out of the box, as would seem to make sense? The same question about Shader Models and everything else that can cause compatibility problems in older games with modern graphics cards. Thank you.

 

[kerberos_20]

they should run old DX tech just fine, older DX means some features are either software based or not yet implemented as hardware based solution didnt exist before, DX revisions added hardware based techniques
it was incremental updates nothing that would break compatibility
the only DX which breaks compatibility with others is DX12

 

[TerryLaze]

You have to install older versions of DirectX for it to work, because at some point they made a spring cleaning to keep the size of the installer from becoming completely ridiculous.
And the older installers just won't install on windows 10 (at least not easily) , or anything above XP really, only directX 9 and above can be installed on a modern system.

http://falconfly.3dfx.pl/directx.htm

 

[kerberos_20]

only dx9 is required to be installed, older like dx6/7/8 would then work just fine

 

[MJS WARLORD]

hello berserker .... many years ago when games were on disc they would sometimes have copies of the dx required to run that game or even auto scan the web and get it for you.
That aside ... if you had a game that required say dx5 it would probably be too old to run on todays pc's even if you put it into compatability mode.