HL2 / CS:S - Instructions To Enable DirectX 9.0


Recommended Posts

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

584965299[/snapback]

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.

  spiffy0517 said:
for nvidia users. good luck with your performance :x

584965304[/snapback]

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

584965366[/snapback]

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.

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.

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 said:
I really don't see the difference

without -dxlevel 90:

DX9.jpg

with -dxlevel 90:

DX9a.jpg

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

584968498[/snapback]

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

  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

584968869[/snapback]

-dxlevel 81:

DX81.jpg

-dxlevel 80:

DX80.jpg

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.

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

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)

  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)

584969292[/snapback]

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 :)

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • ah yes, the person who thinks Bill Gates is a plant for Monsanto........
    • Meta announces 20-year nuclear energy partnership to support its data centres by Fiza Ali Meta announced a 20-year partnership with Constellation Energy today to secure nuclear power from the Clinton Clean Energy Center, reinforcing its commitment to clean energy for its data centre operations. Meta’s data centres lie at the heart of its global operations, powering everything from social media platforms to artificial intelligence technologies. As demand for AI accelerates, these facilities require vast and consistent amounts of electricity to maintain performance, reliability, and uptime. Meta currently matches its electricity consumption with 100% clean and renewable energy. As energy demands increase, particularly due to the growth of AI workloads, the company is incorporating additional energy sources such as nuclear power to maintain a consistent supply. Under the agreement, which begins in 2027, Meta will purchase 1,121 megawatts of emissions-free nuclear electricity from the Clinton plant in Illinois. The deal includes an additional 30 megawatts of capacity to the local grid and will help maintain the long-term operation of the facility without relying on state subsidies. It also supports over 1,100 local jobs and contributes $13.5 million annually in tax revenue. In parallel with the Constellation agreement, Meta is progressing its previously announced Request for Proposals (RFP) for new nuclear capacity. Since the RFP was launched early this year, the company has received more than 50 qualified submissions from utilities, developers, and nuclear-technology manufacturers spanning over 20 states. Meta has shortlisted several projects with the aim of developing between 1 and 4 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity. These projects are intended to accelerate development where execution is feasible and timelines are clear. Through both the Constellation agreement and its ongoing RFP process, Meta is positioning nuclear energy as a key component of its long-term energy strategy. This approach forms part of the company's "Tripling Nuclear Pledge," through which it aims to amplify the market for nuclear power in the United States.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      jrromero17 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      jrromero17 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Conversation Starter
      johnwin1 earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • One Month Later
      Marwin earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      fred8615 earned a badge
      One Year In
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      223
    2. 2
      snowy owl
      156
    3. 3
      ATLien_0
      135
    4. 4
      Xenon
      127
    5. 5
      +FloatingFatMan
      125
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!