News

DirectX 11.1 'exclusive' to Windows 8, "no plan" for Windows 7 release
Posted: 12.11.2012 13:24 by Simon Priest Comments: 34
Microsoft's Daniel Moth has told Windows users that the latest DirectX 11.1 is "part of Windows 8," just like DirectX 11 was of Windows 7. However DX11 was eventually released for Windows Vista.

As it stands right now the latest DX is remaining for Windows 8 only, as Microsoft has "no plan for DirectX 11.1 to be made available" elsewhere. Stereoscopic 3D seems to be the only notable upgrade.

This exclusivity of DirectX 11.1 for Windows 8 might have been more troublesome for PC gamers if it actually added something that blew DX11 out the water, but it doesn't.

"DirectX 11.1 is part of Windows 8, just like DirectX 11 was part of Windows 7. DirectX 11 was made available for Vista …. but at this point there is no plan for DirectX 11.1 to be made available on Windows 7," posted Daniel Moth. The only significant upgrade to DirectX through 11.1 is the ability to view stereoscopic 3D content with glasses without the need for specific programming to third-party graphics vendor software like Nvidia's 3D Vision or AMD's HD3D tech.

Here is a summary of DirectX 11.1's features:

• Shader tracing and compiler enhancements
• Direct3D device sharing
• Check support of new Direct3D 11.1 features and formats
• Use HLSL minimum precision
• Specify user clip planes in HLSL on feature level 9 and higher
• Create larger constant buffers than a shader can access
• Use logical operations in a render target
• Force the sample count to create a rasterizer state
• Process video resources with shaders
• Extended support for shared Texture2D resources
• Change subresources with new copy options
• Discard resources and resource views
• Support a larger number of UAVs
• Bind a subrange of a constant buffer to a shader
• Retrieve the subrange of a constant buffer that is bound to a shader
• Clear all or part of a resource view
• Map SRVs of dynamic buffers with NO_OVERWRITE
• Use UAVs at every pipeline stage
• Extended support for WARP devices
• Use Direct3D in Session 0 processes

Microsoft has been very keen to play Windows 8 up as a gaming platform, however the fundamental shift in design for the OS has put a lot of Windows users off from upgrading. Many developers have also criticised the new Windows 8 for being 'too closed', accusing Microsoft of locking down the platform as it adopts more tablet-like mannerisms.
Source: VG247

Browse Polls   

POLL:

Are you a user of Windows 8? 101 votes

Yes, a very happy user

VOTE

Yes, it is growing on me

VOTE

No, I tried it and hated it

VOTE

No, I refuse to upgrade

VOTE

No, but I plan to soon

VOTE

Comments

By djole381 (SI Elite) on Nov 12, 2012
djole381
Nice try M$... I'm sticking with my Windows 7 and that's that.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Nov 12, 2012
nocutius
Again with this crap.
We all know how well this sleazy tactic worked with the lack of DX10 in XP, it made DX10 irrelevant for a few years :(.
By PapVogel (SI Member) on Nov 12, 2012
PapVogel
Considering there's already a class action lawsuit against M$ for monopolising in some way which i cant remember, lets see how far they'll take this.
By wolfsrain (SI Veteran Newbie) on Nov 12, 2012
wolfsrain
So far, we have people that tried it and hate it, people that are refusing to make the upgrade (the reasons are not very different of the reasons of the people that tried Win 8) and one (ONE) happy user.

Until now, Windows 8 as a gaming platform fails. And the devs are aware that the largest part of the gamers are happy with Win 7. Hell, there are still a lot of gamers that are on Win XP with SP3 (personally i am on Win7 with SP1).

So trying to impose Win8 over them will have the same success as when MS tried to push Vista forward.

No one wanted a new OS when they still can improve Win7. So yeah, Win7 until the game devs retire the support for it.
By PapVogel (SI Member) on Nov 12, 2012
PapVogel
They'll probably stop supporting Win7 in order to push Win8 forward...
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Nov 12, 2012
djole381
The real question is : Do we really need a new Windows OS? Windows 7 is still very young and as wolfsrain suggested, it still has plenty of room for improvements. The new Windows 8 is just another stupid (and rushed) attempt by Microsoft to forcefully boost OS sale and it's profits. I doubt many people will accept the new Win 8. Instead, many will remain on Win 7.
By Maffia01 (SI Veteran Newbie) on Nov 12, 2012
Maffia01
As a cross platform OS to link your phone, tablet, phablet, kitten and PC it seems great, but I have an Android phone, and no tablet or any kind so Win8's main purpose is lost on me.

If MS included a native 'boot to desktop' option so I can skip all that 'it's not called metro anymore' c**p and put back things like DVD playback support I may consider upgrading in a year or 2, other than that I'm happy with Win7 and probably will be until they fix Win8 with Win9, otherwise when Win7 is too old I suppose I'll look in the direction of Linux or Google if they choose to release a traditional OS rather than Chrome OS.

I can't see the IT guy at work going for Win8 either.
By wolfsrain (SI Veteran Newbie) on Nov 12, 2012
wolfsrain
I don't even own a smartphone. I dislike cross-tehcnology, because most of the time puts a lot of things together without excelling at none.

If i could still find a phone that doesn't have even a bloody GPS, i'd take it. I can read a map, i expect from my phone just a few basic functions: excellent signal, long battery life and a decent audio. Anything else is made better by other electronics.

So the point of a cross OS, kinda of eludes me. Pushing the touchscreen for desktop PC eludes me. Can you piture yourself touching the bloody screen for almost anything that you can think? Can you imagine a 3 hours gaming session on Win8 and touchscreen? A lot of not so useful fatures in Win8. Just like the smartphones and the tablets that it tries to attract/promote.

P.S.: my bloody phone is an old Nokia N97 with an old Java OS. Still dislike that one too. Had the possibility to get a smartphone, hated the bloody thing.

Before going to Win7, I stayed on WinXP SP3. I tried Vista, disliked it and reinstalled WinXp. From WinXP SP3, I went to Win7. Looks like Win8 is also something to skip. The only acceptable Vista version came out too late (Vista SP2) to convince me. By then, Win7 was already the right OS to go with.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Nov 13, 2012
herodotus
Up yours M$!
Wouldn't 'upgrade' (a misleading term when applied to the tablet-based OS) to 8 in a fit.
Very short-sighted of this once great company. Windows 7 is already 185% more infected with viruses, trojans, worms etc. than XP ever was, so I'd be much happier if they addressed that OS (still only with Service Pack 1).
By psycros (SI Newbie) on Nov 12, 2012
psycros
Microsoft is a very lost company right now. Their punch-drunk from being rendered irrelevant in so many ways so quickly. The current crop of Apple-wannabes currently infesting their design teams MUST be given the boot.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Nov 13, 2012
herodotus
I'm enormously tempted to switch to Apple Mac for my next PC purchase, something I never thought I'd dream of contemplating. However, with more support for Mac coming to games it might a serious consideration for the future. Just so disappointed with M$ these days.
By LukeDion1987 (SI Veteran Member) on Nov 13, 2012
LukeDion1987
So where is promised SP2 for W7 and SP3 for Vista??
Nice try M$, nice try...
By SiyaenSokol (SI Elite) on Nov 13, 2012
SiyaenSokol
What a nice way to beg people to switch to Windows 8. I haven't seen 8 in action yet, and I haven't got much of an idea what it even looks like, but thus far I am not very much interested either.

If the good reviews can spark, and everything is positive for gaming, then I will consider switching over. Until then, I am still satisfied with my Windows 7 copy... though I am thinking about trying Linux.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Nov 13, 2012
nocutius
Hero you don't really want to switch to an OS that already is what Windows is still only trying to become :)
By leowaud (SI Newbie) on Nov 13, 2012
leowaud
quite a sly move by microsoft. clearly theyre on the defensive against google and apple and are keen to get people embedded in the MS ecosystem associated with windows 8.
By Maffia01 (SI Veteran Newbie) on Nov 13, 2012
Maffia01
Just seen that the Windows division head has left MS, quit or fired?
By leowaud (SI Newbie) on Nov 13, 2012
leowaud
ye does suggest that all may not be well in the MS camp!
By Chris_Spray (SI Veteran Newbie) on Nov 13, 2012
Chris_Spray
Are Microsoft trying to kill Windows?
By TorinoFC (SI Newbie) on Nov 13, 2012
TorinoFC
What's your problem people, new Windows 8 is much cheeper and it's better from windows 7. I have it from several days and if you want to use it like a windows 7 it's not a problem for anyone. And again what's your problem?
By Maffia01 (SI Veteran Newbie) on Nov 13, 2012
Maffia01
1. As I already own a copy of Win7, Win8 is not cheaper.
2. I have no desire to use a clunky touch screen interface with a mouse and keyboard - Win8 needs a native 'boot to desktop' mode before I will even consider buying.
3. Every review I have read has commented on how clunky using things like the charms menu (what on earth is a 'charm'?) or the 'not metro' interface is with mouse and keyboard as opposed to touch-screen.
4. Removal of useful features such as native DVD playback then charge for them as added extra - Win8 no use for HTPC.
5. Not seen anything anywhere saying Win8 does anything useful that Win7 doesn't.

In short I don't want to use an OS designed and optimised with touch-screens in mind without a touch-screen, and I don't want to use a touch-screen on my PC.
By noobst3R (SI Core) on Nov 13, 2012
noobst3R
I stick to Windows 7.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Nov 13, 2012
SirRoderick
Win 7 as well, I see no reason to move to a less user friendly and frankly stupidly designed OS. I'd rather switch fully to Linux, especially with Valve seemingly committing to getting Steam on there.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Nov 13, 2012
herodotus
Running the latest version of Linux on my notebook and it is a sweet OS (then again, it always has been). No fuss, no viruses, no rubbish - just a clean, fast running system. Most businesses use Linux at the centre of their operations, and only use Mac or Windows as the OS for their end users (the office desks, in other words).

Seriously though, if this is the progress M$ believe it to be I will go Mac next time as there are very few games with Linux support (hopefully that might change).
By lichlord (SI Core) on Nov 13, 2012
lichlord
Mac isn't that good on game either hero i do believe ive heard steam talking about making games more compacteble with the other OSses
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Nov 13, 2012
herodotus
I know...just fed up with Microslag:)
By lichlord (SI Core) on Nov 13, 2012
lichlord
i just blame the general todays ways of economy its not only MS turning to pure greed many Corps have turned their backs to the consumers
By Kres (SI Elite) on Nov 13, 2012
Kres
I would rather die then upgrade to W8 right away. It just wouldn't be cool. But on a serious note, the release of W8 hit me by a total surprise. Why was it released? What is wrong with W7... Well I need to check but pff for now it's a NO.
By Paceydre (SI Member) on Nov 14, 2012
Paceydre
I'm not up to speed about all the features of W8, also because I'm not planning to upgrade my OS.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Nov 15, 2012
herodotus
I can tell you one feature it has discarded - the "Start Menu". What the logic is behind that I don't know....perhaps make it more like Mac.
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Nov 15, 2012
FoolWolf
I won't use Win 8 on my computer until the us is made for computer use. I am really having a hard time liking MS as it is now with the alienation of PC users with the blatant fubared use of Xbox music and and xbox games etc...

It really is opening up for competition from the Linux crowd and STEAM is barging ahead... Can't say that I have much reason to stay on Win should the progress of gaming become on par with today's situation but with a different OS...
By lichlord (SI Core) on Nov 15, 2012
lichlord
@kres nothing is wrong with win7 well perhaps that it may have a bit of better security winxp rates better on it but no win7 is too new to be already discarded as MS is trying to do
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Nov 16, 2012
FoolWolf
Nothing wrong with Win8- there were a good article in latest PC Gamer showing the benefits of Win8 for a gamer and the disadvantages. Their conclusion was that Win8 would have a hard time due to the multiple setup of the app and RT layer nbot working weamless on the WIn8 for computers and settings and bookmarks now stayed in the different layers - i.e if you surf via app - you have one set of bookmarks and via "true" Win8 browser another set etc.

Benefits were startup time and overall efficiancy.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Nov 22, 2012
herodotus
Not enough for this old gamer. I've seen it in action, and I'd swear I was using the latest Apple Mac, with bugs.
It has been made to tie in with an Intel Touch Pad/Book/Screen....whatever. If you don't own one of these ludicrously over-priced tablets there is no real benefit to upgrading. Win 7 start time is fine, slowed only by the loading of a couple of background programs such as Avast 7.0.
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Nov 22, 2012
FoolWolf
I have lately heard the real benefit for Win8 - and that is as OS for a small media computer if you want to hook it up to a TV and run some multimedia centre since many features from win server is included...