What's the advantage of the latest DirectX?

[Steve]

All three of my systems have DirectX 8.2 installed, because for the most part the multimedia hardware is DX8 compliant, IIRC. I went to install NeroVisionExpress tonight (in order to watch some of Goosemaster's clips) and the installer didn't want to proceed without DX9 being installed. I'm just wondering what good it does to install DirectX 9 on DX8 hardware, and if anything is gained or lost, especially in terms of hardware capability. Perhaps some more education on exactly how DirectX works would help.

 

[Steve]

Bump?

 

[ddogg]

games generally make use of the new DX9 shaders....if u dont play games it doesnt matter. u can just install DX9 to be upto date but ur hardware wont make use of any of its features.

 

[coomar]

water looks more realistic, more details on models