Chicago (IL) – Nvidia so far declined to provide any information if and when the company will consider to support the DirectX 10.1 API in its GPUs, a technology that is integrated in AMD’s Radeon cards for some time now. Roadmap information we stumbled across today offers a bit more clarity and suggests that the company’s next-generation desktop and notebook chips will support DirectX 10.1.

DirectX 10.1 has been a confusing story for most of us, with no clear indication which graphics card you should buy to be able to get access to the best feature set. ATI Radeon cards as well as S3 have been supporting DirectX 10.1 for a while now, but Nvidia remains silent about its future API plans – leaving the gaming market and its customers in uncertainty.

A presentation slide we received, but unfortunately cannot share with you in order to protect our source, clearly states that Nvidia will offer DirectX 10.1 support with its next-generation notebook GPUs that are scheduled for a spring 2009 release. DirectX 10.1 is also likely to be offered in the next desktop GPU generation, which should debut either late in Q4 2008 or Q1 2009, with a possible ramp throughout Q1 and Q2 of 2009.

So, what does that mean? Well, it depends on your view.

What we know for sure is that with Nvidia’s decision to support DX10.1, the industry will be embracing this API.

On the very high end, it may mean that you should think twice about spending $500 or more on a DX10.0 card. DX10.1 cards may be the better value proposition, if you want to run the latest games and don’t want to buy another $500 card six months from now. Nvidia’s new GPU generation, we hear, will also be 1.5 to 2 times faster than the current technology.

This decision may also have some implications for AMD. Realistically, AMD has a six-month advantage over Nvidia in terms of API support right now and also appears to have competitive hardware in place as well. If AMD plays this game smart, it should be able to regain market share, as the 4800 series may be the more attractive technology for computer graphics at this time – at least for those of us with a limited budget.

Oh, and we almost forgot: Nvidia will also switch to GDDR5 memory, most likely within 2008. As GDDR5 chips are more available, we expect first Nvidia GDDR5 cards to hit the market in Q4.  

   

Sounds like theyre catching up now.

Jul 03, 2008 16:59     

I remember Nvidia talking down on DX10.1 saying there was no real advantage over 10.0 a few months ago. Underestimating the competition, can make one eat their own words. I hope AMD doesnt sit around again like they did with the X2's. ATI better have something in the pot for/if Nvidias next cards will be 1.5 to 2 times faster.
VILLAIN_xx report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +10

Hahaha

Jul 03, 2008 19:34     

I didn't expect they would move that fast to 10.1 and GDDR5. Eating his own words back then.... thei'r ass*!@# said controversial to dx 10.1..
Third Wave report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

10.1 geezer

Jul 04, 2008 03:15     

10.1 is suppose to be very buggy in newer benchmark software. Next year DX11 will be out with Windows 7. I'm waiting it out.
anono report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

2009.Q1... next generation? 1.5 - 2 times faster th...

Jul 04, 2008 03:29     

2009.Q1... next generation? 1.5 - 2 times faster than current Card(GTX280)? Oh,my God!
Kane report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Yes...

Jul 04, 2008 04:15     

They have been extremely arrogant of late. And I'm glad to see the brute force approach which has always worked for NVidia is just not good enough anymore. And while AMD/ATI has been working to create a better architecture; NVidia has just stubbornly plowed ahead. I mean why are the 260 and 280 so expensive? Because they have 1.2 billion transistors that's why! Silicon real estate it's called. Heck if a DAAMIT card had 1.2 billion transistors... Think about it. Anyway.. I believe it's going to be impossible for NVidia to compete on value. This is why NVidia is talking about new models to compete with ATI. Sure the 260 and 280 are grand cards, but they are just not good value. Another point is that ATI always optimize their drivers hugely for years after a new product. That's what I've found with my 1900GT anyway. It's still purring along like a kitten. And I can still play just about every new game that comes out with decent settings.

The Trutherizer report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +7

Power issues?

Jul 05, 2008 10:18     

How will they get 2 times the performance? unless they have been developing this for the past 3 years, it's not possible... think about it... the GT200 was in development for 2 yrs, and yet it's so crappy. What are the chances that they will produce a insane product with only a year?
Splatty report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

dx 10.1????

Jul 05, 2008 12:30     

I thought nvidia had blown the horn stating that dx10.1 was useless and to be skipped... strange how they can change their mind within a one months period..
Rob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

ATI is already losing this battle

Jul 07, 2008 06:56     

Every analyst is saying ATI can't maintain this momentum, they don't have the money to keep R&D going while selling cards at cut rate prices. Estimates say Nvidia will regain all lost market share by quarter 4 of this year, before this new card even comes out. Anyone can sell gasoline for $3.00 a gallon right now and sell all of it they have in the world in a matter of days. Problem is, with a business plan like that, they won't be in business very long.

therooster report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -3