Modern GPU (DX11/12) VS older (DX9)

[Lukey_AMD]

Ok, strange question but one that has definitely been on my mind a while. I obviously know newer graphics cards are better. The question is, are older graphics cards better at older DX style games?.

I ask because many comparison websites show for example.. A GTX 960 scoring much lower in older benchmark software than cards from around that era. I can't think of the exact comparisons, but if anyone wants to see what I mean I'm sure I can provide links once im on my PC.

Thanks in advance

 

[Frag Maniac]

I ask because many comparison websites show for example.. A GTX 960 scoring much lower in older benchmark software than cards from around that era.

This is not true. They not only make the GPUs backwards compatible for older DirectX versions, the Windows OS is too. So chances are, if you read benches like that, they did not run the OS in the needed compatibility mode, or did not install the game's Dx files. Even W10 has compatibility modes dating back to Windows 95.

The only thing you really need be concerned about is the reverse, whether your GPU supports the more MODERN DirectX versions if you're going to be playing any games that use them. There IS backward compatibility, but there's no such thing as forward compatibility.

That said, there ARE some issues with older games not working well or at all on modern OSes, but it usually has more to do with issues other than DirectX and GPU hardware. For instance you can run Hitman 2, but it has limited resolution options, so it doesn't really adapt to widescreen.

Keep in mind too that DirectX updates via layers. Meaning you need to make SURE, esp if you're installing an older game, that you have the Dx files specifically for that game. For this reason most games have redistributable files to install for Dx and MS Visual Studio. These files are often in a folder labeled "redist".

 

[Supernova1138]

Backwards compatibility with DirectX isn't an issue with modern hardware so long as you aren't trying to run anything prior to DirectX 7 I believe. For really old games from the early days of 3D Acceleration, you do tend to need a third party wrapper program to emulate the really old versions of DirectX or 3DFX's GLIDE API to get 3D acceleration to work. Failing that, there is always software rendering mode for those old titles.