DirectX 11 comes to Windows Vista

[javajolt]

Microsoft launched Windows 7 with full DirectX 11 support, but until now, Vista users running ATI’s newest 5000 series cards were left out in the cold. Its not like you’ve been waiting months to play the newest DX11 titles, but at least you now have the comfort of knowing that you don’t need to upgrade your OS in order to take advantage of your new GPU.

DirectX 11 isn’t a massive leap forward over the DirectX 10.1 found in Vista SP2, and in fact, is actually a superset implemented using WDDM (Windows Display Drive Model).  Windows XP users will need to continue making do with DirectX 9 because it is not compatible with WDDM, and Microsoft has been pretty clear that this isn’t likely to change anytime soon.

The platform update KB971644 should be delivered to Vista users automatically via Windows update. Now all you need is an Radeon 5870. DirectX 11 support in Vista seems as good a reason as any don’t you think?

update KB971644 is here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971644

source:

[Jake]

Hmmm... I don't forsee much of a market for the new Radeon cards running on Vista.  Especially with that beast called Windows 7 running around the computing world now.

But, it's good they're supporting their products, so no complaints here.

[javajolt]

I have to agree, but I have a few clients who actually say they Love Vista despite all the negative press on it.  I also turned off everything possible in the Vista installs.

I have to be Honest and admit SP1 was a major improvement to that Hog called Vista...