What Version Of DirectX Should I Be Using?

[VanceVP]

So some know that I build a new machine to play AHIII and other than a couple of minor bugs, it seems to be working okay. However, is there a particular version of DirectX that I should be using or that works best with the game. It seems that on my build it defaults to DirectX 9.

So what is the general consensus on this?


Many thanks,
Vance

[Bizman]

The game defaults to DirectX 9 on every system.

Yours is fully capable to run DX 11. It should allow for better image quality and dynamics by supporting more effective technologies in Transform and Lighting or whatever it's called nowadays.

The reason for defaulting DX9 is that it has proven more stable in terms of random mini freezes and such. I've been getting a half a second pause using DX11 about three times during a couple of hours, but then again I only fly on weekends. Those who are online for several hours daily may find that too frequent for their liking. A matter of personal preference between image quality and stability, that is.

[VanceVP]

Thanks Bizman.

I thought DX 11 was the norm these days.

I will stay with DX9 as I am more concerned with stability and reliability than image quality.

Now I just got to figure out the best and least expense way to improve the signal strength and reliability of my crappy router.


Thanks,
Vance

[Bizman]

As I told you in another thread, go wired. Ethernet allows for 100 metre long wires so distance should be no issue.

[VanceVP]

Thanks again Bizman.

I know wired is the ideal way to go, but it will required having to go under the floor and the wife would have fits if I try to run a cable through the main floor where the computer and router are located.

I will probably have to look into getting the computer hard wired to the router, but it is something I am not in a big hurry to tackle right now. Because of this, I will just have to live with the wireless problem.


Cheers,
Vance

[Bizman]

If you want to go wired without making the wife mad, Powerline Ethernet might be a solution for you. More about what it's about: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/8-things-powerline-adapters-need-know-first/

[VanceVP]

I read that and did a little reading up on it and it seems that could be problems with a homes wiring "We also recommend finding out whether your home is equipped with GFCI/AFCI breakers and/or receptacles, as these will interfere with any Powerline network setup, regardless of manufacturer. Some AFCI breakers may trip automatically when Powerline data is transmitting over the electrical wiring. This is due to the nature of AFCI breakers and not the Powerline Adapters."

If this is the case, with my luck I will end up tripping breakers left and right.   LOL

Thanks,
Vance

[Bizman]

There's a few players here being very happy with powerline ethernet like those chiming in at http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,386281.msg5135770.html#msg5135770.

[VanceVP]

I read that thread, Bizman and I actually pulled the trigger and ordered a pair of the powerline adapters. I am hoping that with one plugged in right next to my desktop I will be able to hard-wire it to the adapter and get rid of a crap-load of connection problems I am having.

Just hope it works   

[Bizman]

Years ago I had a customer using them at their house. To our surprise it wouldn't work in their bedroom despite working perfectly on the other side of the wall in the living room. An electrician was called and he did some magic in the fuse box. It appeared that the bedroom was in another phase than the other rooms - or that's how I understood it, I'm no electrician. Anyway, he regrouped the wiring so that the rooms needing the powerline ethernet were in the same bunch. So it was not a big issue to solve for a trained mains electrician. At least here fiddling with mains is strictly for qualified personnel only.

[MADe]

Years ago I had a customer using them at their house. To our surprise it wouldn't work in their bedroom despite working perfectly on the other side of the wall in the living room. An electrician was called and he did some magic in the fuse box. It appeared that the bedroom was in another phase than the other rooms - or that's how I understood it, I'm no electrician. Anyway, he regrouped the wiring so that the rooms needing the powerline ethernet were in the same bunch. So it was not a big issue to solve for a trained mains electrician. At least here fiddling with mains is strictly for qualified personnel only.

I no many peeps who swear by this technique. copper is copper.
Good knowledge about the different phases, makes perfect sense why it would not work universally.
Planning might cover such an install on all 3 phases, might be cheaper than rewiring an electrical box.

 

[Bizman]

Planning might cover such an install on all 3 phases, might be cheaper than rewiring an electrical box.

I can't see how that would be possible. We get three-phase electric power into the fuse box, but the wall outlets are single-phase.

[mikeWe9a]

I can't see how that would be possible. We get three-phase electric power into the fuse box, but the wall outlets are single-phase.

I agree - the "base" unit doesn't have access to all phases, and no planning is going to change that.  Swapping the appropriate breaker(s) to a different position should be able to be done "relatively" easily by an electrician, so long as the wires have enough room to reach the alternate breaker positions and you don't need too many on the same phase.  The planning is determining which outlets you want (now or in the future) on the same phase, and determining the optimum way to rearrange the panel, since putting every outlet on the same phase is likely not practical (or even possible).

Mike

[SNO]

Residential power is single phase, three wires two 120 volt wires with one going to one side of your panel and the other going to the other side and then the neutral which hooks to the neutral lug. As long as the breakers for the rooms the base and receiver are going to be located are on the same side of the panel then you are all set, otherwise you will need the electrician to fix you up. That would be the planning stage to see if this is going to be easy or more costly depending on your electrical skills.

[morfiend]

Residential power is single phase, three wires two 120 volt wires with one going to one side of your panel and the other going to the other side and then the neutral which hooks to the neutral lug. As long as the breakers for the rooms the base and receiver are going to be located are on the same side of the panel then you are all set, otherwise you will need the electrician to fix you up. That would be the planning stage to see if this is going to be easy or more costly depending on your electrical skills.

  Only in the US and Canada,elsewhere they use 220 and three phase!   We are the only ones using electricity the expensive way.....


  This is why we need those silly adapters when traveling!!