The FX series sucked in HL2 because they could perform DX9 floating point operations either in 16 bit or full precision 32 bit mode. In contrast ATI cards could do it in 24 bit mode as coded by HL2. Valve did not code it in such a way, so as to allow FX cards to run it with minimal visual loss in 16 bit precision mode. They hence had to resort to 32 bit mode resulting in a severe performance penalty. Ofcourse, thru 3DAnalyse, the game can be hacked to run in 16 bit partial precision mode with the FX cards. In contrast the GeForce 6 & 7 series, run the game without any problems. Does it mean that these cards can now do DX9 operations in 24 bit precision mode like ATI cards?
You answered your own question there mate. The series 6 and 7 cards were an enormous improvement on the FX series in every aspect
ahh but my fx5200 was good with it never eva got less than 40fps to 106 fps maxhigh and med settings no aa shader low @ 1152*860
I guess I did not word my question correctly. It is obvious that there is a huge performance leap in HL2 from the FX series to the 6 & 7 series. I want to know, whether, it is because of the 6 & 7 series being able to do DX9 calculations in 24 bit mode like the ATI cards? Or are they still restricted to either 16bit or 32bit mode, but have other architectural enhancements, leading to the increased performance?
