List of computer games that require pixel shaders

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[edit] Games that require Pixel Shaders

[edit] Pixel Shaders 1.1 (DirectX 8.0)

This is the list of computer games that require DirectX 8.0 programmable Pixel Shader 1.1 support to run, eg. Silent Hill 3. Games such as Half-Life 2 that only need pixel shader 1.1 as an optional feature will NOT be listed here. Users of graphics cards such as GeForce 4 MX will therefore not be able to run Silent Hill 3, but will run Half-Life 2 without problems.

[edit] Pixel Shaders 1.3 (DirectX 8.1)

The following is a second list of computer games that require DirectX 8.0a programmable Pixel Shader 1.3 support to run, eg. X3: The Reunion. Games such as Half-Life 2 that only need pixel shader 1.3 as an optional feature will NOT be listed here. Users of graphics cards such as GeForce 3 will therefore not be able to run X3: The Renuion, but will run Half-Life 2 without problems.

[edit] Pixel Shaders 1.4 (DirectX 8.1)

The following is a third list of computer games that require DirectX 8.1 programmable Pixel Shader 1.4 support to run, eg. Hitman: Blood Money. Games such as Half-Life 2 that only need pixel shader 1.4 as an optional feature will NOT be listed here. Users of graphics cards such as GeForce 4 Ti will therefore not be able to run Hitman: Blood Money, but will run Half-Life 2 without problems.


[edit] Pixel Shaders 2.0 (DirectX 9.0)

The following is a fourth list of computer games that require DirectX 9.0 programmable Pixel Shader 2.0 support to run, eg. Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. Games such as Far Cry that only need pixel shader 2.0 as an optional feature will NOT be listed here. Users of graphics cards such as GeForce 3 will therefore not be able to run Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, but will run Far Cry without problems.

Note: The single-player demo version is missing PS 1.x support, which results in a visible interface, but a blank terrain onscreen.[1]

Note: Oblivion does have a partially complete 1.x shader package, which the mod 'Oldblivion' completes, enabling it to run/walk on a GeForce3. By default, Oblivion doesn't complain of missing shaders when run on GF3/4 Ti, but there will be missing shading on most graphics.

[edit] Pixel Shaders 3.0 (DirectX 9.0c)

The following is a fifth list of computer games that require DirectX 9.0c programmable Pixel Shader & Vertex Shader support to run, eg. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent. Games such as Far Cry that only need Shader Model 3.0 as an optional feature will NOT be listed here. Users of graphics cards such as Radeon 9700 Pro will therefore not be able to run Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent, but will run Far Cry without problems.

[edit] Graphic chipsets with pixel shader support

While the ATI Radeon 7xxx series and NVIDIA GeForce2/GeForce4 MX series do have somewhat programmable pixel pipelines, they are not flexible enough to run shader programs of level 1.0. Shader Model 1.1 was the first standard used in games, and was first supported in DirectX 8.0.[1]

The list below shows the highest pixel shader version supported by each card family.

[edit] Version 1.1 (DirectX 8.0)

[edit] Version 1.3 (DirectX 8.1)

[edit] Version 1.4 (DirectX 8.1)

[edit] Version 2.0 (DirectX 9.0)

[edit] Version 2.0x (DirectX 9.0b)

Version 2.0x comprises two versions - version 2.0a (for nVidia GeForce FX series) and version 2.0b (for ATI Radeon X700/X800/X850 series). These versions expose additional features over version 2.0 and are usually used for increased performance with the target hardware (GeForce FX or Radeon X700/X800/X850).

[edit] Version 3.0 (DirectX 9.0c)

[edit] Version 4.0 (DirectX 10.0)

[edit] Solution for unsupported cards

As of 2005, there are still a large number of GeForce 4 MX users. Software tweaks, such as SwiftShader, swShader and 3D-analyze, can sometimes be used as a workaround for games requiring pixel shaders. However, this often renders games unplayable. Forcing such games to run on unsupported cards usually results in unrendered textures and lighting, as well as poor performance. Additionally, many online anti-cheat systems (such as Punkbuster) perform file and memory scans to ensure that game files have not been modified. As a result, those who attempt to play online using such workarounds may be unable to play, and in a worst case scenario, may in fact have their account/CD-key banned.

Entry-level video cards supporting pixel shaders are now quite affordable. As a result, replacing an unsupported card with a newer one is not only viable, but also much more desirable than using potentially problematic workarounds.

[edit] See also

References:

  1. ^ Black screen in final demo, Relic producer (Relic forums).
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