graphic card specs?

Question

is there a program that can scan or detect your graphic card and then give you a report of what its specs are i.e pixel and vertex shader,direct x version,open gl ect
also what is the cheapest card at the moment with pixel and shader model 3.0,and direct 9.0c support
p.s did you know that there is direct x 10 (in vista)

Answer 1

brianthes...

I would agree with wantedman run the dxdiag utility.
If you are not sure how to this then:

select Start
select Run
type dxdiag and select ok

This will then open the DirectX diagnostic tool - it might ask you if it can access the internet (microsoft to help gather information on the drivers etc) just select yes.

This util should provide you with all the information you need and more as you can carry out simple diagnositics.

As for DirectX10 - ummmm... yes i did and i feel troubled times ahead. Through one bold move, Microsoft has decided that it will not support, the already too “old” DirectX 9, not to mention DirectX 8 or any of the previous versions. But... it appears to be some logic hidden somewhere.

The new DirectX will not be named Windows Graphic Foundation (WGF) as it was planned and will remain at the old name, as in DirectX 10. It will be released with their brand new operating system Vista. This new API will be composed of new and faster dynamic link libraries (DLLs) and will run much faster (so they say).

Microsoft has decided that backward compatibly with DirectX 9,8,7 isn't really necessary as there will probably will be even less compatible with Vista. - try telling that to programmers, who are currently working their backsides off to prepare to releasing patches.

Even so, dear Microsoft hasn't totally forgotten us. Some sort of “compatibility” will be available through a software layer (probably some emulation) which will have its price in system resources, as it will run much slower. The good news is that DirectX 10 will relieve some of the burden on the CPU.

And of course it will have support for the next generation of Pixel Shaders 4.0, although it will probably surface before even Vista's release due to the rapid development of graphic cards.

Hope this has helped

DM

MCP MCSA MCSE+S BIT

Answer 2

Ram is the in reality direct spec so that you could use. 512 megs is undesirable, a million gig is solid, 2-3 is solid. % and bandwidth also count number, severe in many circumstances is more advantageous acceptable. different specs are such issues as cores, ROPs, texture contraptions and they decision by making use of structure so an instantaneous evaluation between AMD Radon and Nvidiua GPUs isn't very functional. Or generations at times. Now derived stats like Gflops may be functional, to get the performance effects.

Answer 3

Paintshop PRO and Photoshop both have these facilities.

Answer 4

run dxdiag