DirectX 9 is Coming!
 

<img src="http://www.eqinterface.com/images/sections/directx.gif" align="right">

From the Dev Corner

DirectX 9 on Test:

In order to continue to move EverQuest forward and embrace rapidly changing graphics technology, we are going to require the use of DirectX 9 on the Test server. DirectX 9 will better use EverQuest's graphic resources, while providing better security and performance for your computers. You can download DirectX 9 at www.microsoft.com/directx. Thanks for all of your continued help in testing EverQuest. Brenlo the Test Subject

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According to Baelish from Castersrealm Brenlo specified that it will also be required for the new expansion Gates of Discord but, your card has to be only DirectX 9.0 Compliant (able to run 9.0, doesnt have to use all the features).

But Why skimp on the details when you can get it all..

I found the GeForce FX 5200 with 128MB of Ram on Buy.com for $78.14. and free shipping. So if you have been looking to upgrade your video card, click on the name above, and check it out. It's the base model for GeForce's new FX line and and nearly over $50.00 of normal retail.

/bow

- Kudane

Personally I am waiting for PCIExpress and 64bit to go standard before I do another system overhaul

(current game machine)
AMD Thunderbird 1.33Ghz (overclocked to 2.20Ghz)
Kingston DDRam 1gig (overclocked FSB 240)
Soyo K7 Dragon+ Mobo
Nvidia Geforce4 ti4600 (core and memory overclocked but can't remember how much)
Nvidia Quadro 1100 (PCI video shadow card)
Maxtor (duel) 100gig SATA harddrive
SoundBlaster 512 soundcard

so as you can see old equipment, my AGP can't even go past 2X and be stable (but there is almost no diff between 2X, 4X and 8X)

~edit~ everything but sound card is water cooled (and it still runs around 105f)

So what are the details on what this move to dx9 will do to gameplay/visuals?

Unfortunately for me, the GeForce FX 5200 line are not true upgrades. All it really does is add dx9 compliance. My GFTi out-performes the GFFX5200.
I think that I will wait to upgrade. I don't exactly play EQ for the visuals anyway. Most of my display features are off to save resources.

I have the GF 4TI ad it runs fine with DX 9,

and Ryoujikaji its too early to say what the move to DX9 does for game play.. initially (day 1) it was bad, but within 48 hours it was almost toally back to normal or improved (in some places). So ask agian right before Discord release... :)

I've looked firsthand at the GeForce FX 5200, and was sorely disappointed. It performed noticeably inferior to a GeForce4 Ti 4400/4600. Both the Ti's returned much better framerates in almost all areas, with the exception that the GF4Ti's do not have the CineFX engine.

Not bashing the FX5200 card, it's still a great buy from the price, but if you are looking for better performance a GeForce 4 Ti series would be the better balance for bang vs. buck.

~Tellgar

Running DirectX 9.0 now its no biggy..

Some people are not able to run DX 9 yet Kenney, some of the older Cards that will run DX8 are not capible of running DX9.

I posted the FX 5200 to try and help those on a budge who are not able to upgrade often. It was never designed to be the "uber card." its just suppose to be an affordable card that will use DX9 nicely.

/bow

I thort all ppl where running 9 already? my bad

The difference between 2x, 4x, and 8x is the bandwidth of each bus. There is little to no speed difference though. I am able to say this with confidence since I had to learn it for my A+ certification class at school.

Bye Bye windows 98 Users?
 

This will possibly be the first pre-emptive strike to take all the Windows 98 users out of game, either forcing them to upgrade their machines (not just their vidcards) or leave the game. To be honest, not sure how to feel about this even though I am running DX9 on an XP machine. I still wonder how many EQers may not be able to afford new machines, that are now just barely holding on with a vid/sound chipset. I hate to see some people left behind simply because they cannot afford a new machine.

Buit still, I fully understand what they are trying to do here. I really just wish they would leave EQ at DX 8 and not force anyone totally out because of equipment deficiencies.

Re: Bye Bye windows 98 Users?
 

People said the same thing 2 years ago when Luclin came out and the moved from DX7 to DX8... EQ saw very few numbers drop out of the game for very long.

I for one am glad they are going to move to DX9 and be able to lower the strain on the video cards.. (the new gfx engine when fully installed will be less strain on your system according to preview info)

Sooo have no fear, thier objective is not to force anyone out. just to make us an even prettier/smoother game to play.

I heard some people talking that with the new graphics engine and dx9 that SOE would be remaking the character models. Any know if this is true or just wishfull thinking.

what I heard was a plan to redo some of the old world NPC models, not player

Hope you are right Kundane. With Microsoft's off, then on again support for Windows 98 (up until the release of Longhorn at least) I can see in the near future where, like with Windows 95, 98 will be left behind. And I for one do not want to tlose anymore good friends and players to equipment limitations. Again I would wish then that EQ be left alone for the few remaining weeks/months and that all the upgrading be made for EQII. Thats where we are going to need all the graphics help we can get. ANd if we are in EQ II, will we be coming back to EQ very often? Maybe a survey question.