The underlying design of DX11, which uses what's known as a Windows Device Driver Model, means that it is compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Vista only. DX11, like all its DX predecessors, primarily runs on Microsoft's Windows operating systems. This interface governs the relationship between multimedia hardware - graphics cards, sound cards - and the operating system. DirectXĭX11 is shorthand for DirectX 11, and it is the latest generation of what is known as an application programming interface. Now, this term may not mean a whole heap to you, but understanding what it is and how it can benefit the user is the aim of this guide. The very latest graphics cards are advertised as being 'DX11 compliant'. You may well see Sapphire, HIS, XFX, EVGA, MSI or ASUS, to name but a few, sell graphics card based on AMD Radeon or NVIDIA GeForce technology.

These chips are then taken on by the two firms' retail partners and sold in branded form. To fully understand the potential purchase, you need to be aware of the underlying architecture, be cognisant of the speeds and feeds, and appreciate just how much value you're receiving for a given outlay.ĪMD and NVIDIA are the two main companies who manufacture the graphics chips which are the heartbeat of any modern graphics card. Buying a new graphics card is more complicated than it may seem on first glance.

Directx 11 support