HL2 / CS:S - Instructions To Enable DirectX 9.0

[DjmUK]

Enabling DirectX 9.0 for Half-Life 2 (HL2) & Counter-Strike: Source (CS:S)

- Load up Steam

- Play Games

- Right-Click the game, "Properties"

- Launch Options

- Add the line "-dxlevel ##" (without the quotes but you DO need the dash '-')

Where ##:

90 for DirectX 9.0

81 for DirectX 8.1

80 for DirectX 8.0

70 for DirectX 7.0

Source: CS:S Official Forum

* You will need a DirectX 9.0 capable graphics card in order to use the full effects. But hey, it works for me :)

[Rogue`]

Doesnt it use the Dx path ur hardware supports already? I mean i have a 9800XT....so wont it already use dx9?

[spiffy0517]

for nvidia users. good luck with your performance :x

[DjmUK]

  Rogue` said:

Doesnt it use the Dx path ur hardware supports already?  I mean i have a 9800XT....so wont it already use dx9?

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Unfortunately no, at least I don't think so. I think I read somewhere that somone has the X800 Pro and it only let's them use DirectX 8.1

You can check in-game, go to:

- Options

- Video

- Advanced

You should see the "Hardware DirectX" disabled and set at DX8.1. This fix sets it to DX9.0, but have a look before you add the command line and see what your level is at present.

[Nonunion]

  spiffy0517 said:

for nvidia users. good luck with your performance :x

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Good luck? Don't need it, I'm getting great performance. :D

[Rob2687]

the water goes completely clear with dx9 on my 5600

[DjmUK]

  spiffy0517 said:

for nvidia users. good luck with your performance :x

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ATi fanboy obviously. I'm using "Nvidia GeForce FX Go5700" and I have excellent performance, no lag (HL2/CS:S) and no errors whatsoever. So please keep ATi/Nvidia comments to yourself because this thread is about DX not GPU Preferences.

[Rogue`]

Well i dont need to use that command, in advanced video options it says Dx9 for Software and Hardware :)

[Rogue`]

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/geforc...ges/tri1024.gif

hmmmm...might use Dx8.1 for CS:S...boost performance a little :p

[DjmUK]

  Rogue` said:

Well i dont need to use that command, in advanced video options it says Dx9 for Software and Hardware :)

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Nice, as long as it works on your card - however, as you say, DX8.1 gives you better performance:FPS (Frames Per Second), so you could use this technique to downgrade the hardware to DX8.1 - unless you'd prefer the visual enhancements.

[Rogue`]

Well the stress test went from 78fps to 103fps :p and tbh, cs:s doesnt looks too different :)

[jam3z]

i have a gforce fx5600 and i tryed that trick but what should i do to get the best performance? ps: im stupid

[Kupo-Cheer]

If you have an Nvidia card and plan to use directx 9, know that it was not enabled by default for a reason. I tried it with the CS:S beta only, but back then I went from a playable framerate to, well... not playable at all by switching to directx 9. It totally depends on your card I guess, but this is just a warning to expect a major performance hit.

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

i tried this last week on the CSS stress test w/ my 5900 and i lost ~15fps on the same settings when enabling DX9... not worth it visually for the performance hit. also, i too lost the water reflections which is important to me... im going to try this today w/ some HL2 demos to see the effects... then i'll decide if it's worth it or not (probably not)

[PukiMan]

I really don't see the difference

without -dxlevel 90:

with -dxlevel 90:

Are you sure HL2 don't use DX9 on default?

And in the process of taking the screenshots, I learned those things (The flying bugs that come from the ground) can't swim :D

[icecream]

  PukiMan said:

I really don't see the difference

without -dxlevel 90:

with -dxlevel 90:

Are you sure HL2 don't use DX9 on default?

And in the process of taking the screenshots, I learned those things (The flying bugs that come from the ground) can't swim :D

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I guess that's 2 times dx9, did you add -dxlevel 81 to go back to directx 8.1?

I've put it on 8.1 to test and it looks different

[Vice]

Nvidia 6800GT here (currently running at stock) I checked my settings and it was already set to dx9 and ive had great performance throughout the whole game.

[PukiMan]

  icecream said:

I guess that's 2 times dx9, did you add -dxlevel 81 to go back to directx 8.1?

I've put it on 8.1 to test and it looks different

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-dxlevel 81:

-dxlevel 80:

Nothing, no difference at all.

Tryed to do the command in the console and is said thats the command in incorrect.

I think the command is wrong.

[icecream]

oooo, that's 8.1 and 8.0, In your previous post you placed 8.1 and 9.0

the only difference between 8.1 and 8.0 is that the 8.0 shadows don't have soft borders.there could be other minor differences.

[Rogue`]

You have to do it via Steam's Launch Options.....

Open Steam, click on Play Games, Right click on the game and click Properties, then click on Launch Options and add -dxlevel 81 or -dxlevel 80...

There IS a difference...in Dx81 u will NOT get reflections on water....i will go do a couple of screens :p

[Kerm]

K, i have 9600XT and stutters a little now and again, would like to boost fps, so what command can i put in to make mine use Directx 8.1 or whatever would boost my fps?

And the graphics detail loss wouldn't be too substantial?

Thanks mateys.

(Slight noob in this category)

[Rogue`]

DX8.1:-

DX9:-

k? :p

[Rogue`]

  Kerm said:

K, i have 9600XT and stutters a little now and again, would like to boost fps, so what command can i put in to make mine use Directx 8.1 or whatever would boost my fps?

And the graphics detail loss wouldn't be too substantial?

Thanks mateys.

(Slight noob in this category)

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Thats the Audio Stutter people are complaining about....they said there should be a patch out by tomorrow....

Even if u do tweak the sh1t out of it...u will still get it :/ Just sit tight...only another day to wait for the fix :)

[Kerm]

My audio is fine.

It only stutters when the rest of the game stutters first.

I will try the patch anyway.