View source for DirectX Versions

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{{Subpage|[[Direct3D]]}}
[[File:Advanced_video_options_-_DirectX_level_highlighted.png|right|thumb|300px|Advanced Video Options, with Hardware & Software DirectX level highlighted and showing a new feature classic effects. High dynamic range moved to video options. On modern systems, the "Hardware DirectX level" (also referred to as "feature level") usually should display as "DirectX 9.8+" (or "DirectX 9.0" on Intel graphics card) or integrated graphics.]]

{{Src|3.1}} engine games (prior to {{l4d|1}}), has a DirectX level systems to provide compatibility with older (DX8 or earlier) or weaker DirectX 9-capable GPUs, by disabling certain graphical features not available (or works poorly) in older/weaker graphics card and lowering the graphical settings.

Each section has a description of what each version of DirectX is capable of, for reference when creating fallback materials for older GPUs with lower DirectX feature levels. Under each heading are features not available in previous versions of DirectX.

To run the game with lower DirectX levels on the newer graphics card, use the {{code|[[mat_dxlevel]]}} [[cvar]], or {{code|-dxlevel}} [[command line arguments]]. Set it to 60, 70, 80, 81, 90 or 95 to set the corresponding DirectX version; it is not possible to run at a higher level than the graphics hardware is capable of. 

{{Confusion|Please note that changing {{code|mat_dxlevel}} (DirectX levels), does not actually change '''Direct3D''' version to Direct3D 8 or older. Source will always run on '''Direct3D 9''' (or '''Direct3D 11/12''' on [[Titanfall engine branch|some]] [[Strata Source|third-party]] engine branches). However, the materials, effects and shaders will be changed or disabled for compatibility or to improve performance with older GPUs that predates or have poor support for DirectX 9, or to allow modern tools such as {{nvidia|1}}'s {{rr|1}} (also used in {{portalrtx|name}} and upcoming {{hl2rtx|name}}), replacing DX7/DX8 level assets with PBR capable materials and improved lighting.
Additionally, DirectX levels should not be confused with Direct3D versions. As a example, GeForce FX 5x00 by default, while support DirectX 9.0a level, the game will force the card to run at DirectX 8.0 level by default (according to {{code|[[#dxsupport.cfg|dxsupport.cfg]]}}).
}}
{{note|Source games and engine branches released by Valve since {{l4d|4.1}} drop support for all DirectX 8 (or earlier) cards, aswell replaced the old DirectX level system with new shader & effect details option and automatic GPU memory size detection. This meant that all games running on {{l4dbranch|3.1}} (or later branches) only supports DirectX 9.0c level cards.<br>The only modern Source engine branch that still supports older DirectX levels (down to 8.0) is {{src13|4.1}}. Some third-party Source engine branch or Source successor, {{source2|1}}, will only support DirectX 11 or later cards.}}
{{note|Most modern PC with modern GPUs are now DirectX 12 capable (and fully support all DX9 levels and features in Source). If players are running level/DX8-only graphics card or older on systems with [[Steam]] installed are [https://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/viedeocard/?platform{{=}}pc extremely rare] (according to Steam Survey). Make alternate assets if you want, but almost no one will see them unless they launched the game with DirectX 8 level or have a very old graphics card, or by launching a game that utilizs {{Nvidia|name}} {{rr|name}}, which was only used in {{Portalrtx|1}} and {{hl2rtx|1}}, used to replace DX7/DX8 materials and shaders with RTX Remix's PBR-capable materials and ray-traced lighting.}}
{{Bug|tested={{hl2}} {{portal}}|only=src13|On some modern systems, or in some games, when a {{src13|name}} game is run for the first time, the game may default to DirectX 8 level (and DirectX 9.0 level instead of 9.0+ on laptops with Intel HD Graphics or switchable integrated/dedicated GPUs).<br>To fix this issues, see '''[[#Fix DirectX 8.0 level on modern hardware|Fix DirectX 8.0 level on modern hardware]]'''. After doing the steps on that section, the Hardware DirectX level should display '''DirectX 9.0+'''. Next, configure your video settings (most systems should be able to handle "High" or "Very High" texture, model, shader, shadows, etc. easily).<br>Users must remove the {{code|-dxlevel}} command line after launching the game once to prevent the game from reset the video settings to default.}}
{{Bug|tested={{hl2}}|Some effects appears to be less visible, such as the [[volumetric lighting]] model used to fake the volumetric lighting effect compared to DirectX 8 level, or DirectX 9 on older version of Half-Life 2.{{Cite|1}}{{Cite|2}} See [[#Train Station]]}}

==DirectX levels==
{{toc-right}}
{{Important|
*Since {{Src06|1}}, DirectX 6 is no longer supported but still unofficially supported, and in {{Src07|1}} or {{Src09|1}}, both DirectX 6 and 7 support has been dropped (except RTX Remix games).
*Starting with {{l4dbranch|1}} and later Source games, the DirectX levels system (aswell as all DirectX 8 and early DirectX 9 cards) was dropped in favor of shader & effect details option and automatic GPU memory size detection.
*While DirectX 8 level is supported in {{src07|name}}, {{src09|name}} and {{src13|1}}, not all pre-L4D branch games support them and using it may crashes the game, such as {{p3|1}} and many third-party Source games.
}}
=== <span id="DirectX 6">DirectX 6 compatibility level</span> ===
Referred to as "'''DirectX 6.0'''" on video settings and "{{code|dxlevel 60}}". DirectX 6-class graphics cards include the {{nvidia|1}} TNT2 and Matrox G400.

These graphics card and this DirectX version are not officially supported by Valve, but still functional until Source 2007.

=== <span id="DirectX 7">DirectX 7 compatibility level</span> ===
Referred to as "'''DirectX 7.0'''" on video settings and "{{code|dxlevel 70}}". DirectX 7-class graphics cards include the {{nvidia|1}} GeForce 256, 2, 2MX and 4MX cards and the {{ATIRadeon|1|nt=0}} R100 (7xxx) series.

Additionally, RTX Remix games such as {{portalrtx|2}} and the upcoming {{hl2rtx|2}} uses DirectX 7 level, then replacing the textures, models and lighting with [[PBR]] textures and ray-traced lighting, then renders in Vulkan (using DXVK) before converting again to Direct3D 12 (DX12).{{Cite|3}}
; Features
* Blob shadows
* Displacement map texture blending
=== <span id="DirectX 8.0">DirectX 8 compatibility level</span> ===
{{Note|1=As mentioned above, when a {{src13|1}} game is launched for the first time, it may default to DirectX 8.0, even if you have a newer GPU.<br>A bug report can be found here: [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Source-1-Games/issues/540 Issue 540 on GitHub]}}
Referred to as "'''DirectX 8.0'''" on video settings and "{{code|dxlevel 80}}". DirectX 8-class graphics cards include the {{nvidia|1}} GeForce4 Ti and most of the GeForce FX 5x00 series (while technically DirectX 9 cards, the latter suffer from major performance problems and graphical glitches with the DX9 rendering path).{{Cite|4}}
; Features
* Refractions with the use of a ''[[Du/dv_map|du/dv]]'' map
* Dynamic shadows
* Directional lighting on world brushes using normal maps
* Cube-mapped specular effects
* Cube-mapped water
* Low-quality reflective water (used sparingly)

=== <span id="DirectX 8.1">DirectX 8.1 compatibility level</span> ===
Referred to as "'''DirectX 8.1'''" on video settings and "{{code|dxlevel 81}}". DirectX 8.1-class graphics cards include the {{nvidia|1}} GeForce FX 5800 and 5900 and the {{ATIRadeon|1|nt=0}} 8500/9100 and 9000/9200 cards.

Like most of the GeForce FX 5x00 series card, both FX 5800 and 5900 (which are DX9 cards) also suffers from performance issues and graphical glitches on DirectX 9 level.{{Cite|4}} But unlike other GeForce FX 5x00 cards, it runs on DirectX 8.1 level which has soft dynamic shadows.
; Features
* Soft edge dynamic shadows

=== <span id="DirectX 9">DirectX 9 (Shader Model 2)</span>===
<span id="DirectX 9.0"></span> <!-- links with #DirectX 9.0 will lead to this section aswell. -->
Introduced in December 2002, referred to as "'''DirectX 9.0'''" and "{{code|dxlevel 90}}".

DirectX 9-class graphics cards include the {{nvidia|name}} GeForce 6 series (6600, 6800) and the {{ATIRadeon|name|nt=0}} 9500/9600, 9700/9800, X300/X600 and X800 cards. 
; Features
* Refractions with the use of a bump-map
* High-quality reflective water (used frequently)
* Softer edge dynamic shadows
** This means that the "High" shadows detail option will be visible and can be selected.
** To enable High shadows on Intel GPUs, use "-force_vendor_id 0x10DE -force_device_id 0x1088", tricking the game into thinking that the user has a "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590", enabling High shadows.
** The command above may not be available in older Source games prior to 2012/2013, you can workaround this using {{pcgw|Engine:Source#.22High.22_shadow_detail_option_is_missing|other methods listed on PCGW}}.
* Normal-mapped lighting on models
* Improved-quality specular effects
Since {{src06|2}}:
* [[HDR|High dynamic range rendering]] (disabled by default)
* [[$phong|Phong]] shading
* [[Color Correction]]
Since {{src07|2}}:
* Motion Blur

=== <span id="DirectX 9.0c">DirectX 9.0c - Shader Model 3</span>===
<span id="DirectX 9.0+"></span>
Referred to as "DirectX 9.0+", "{{Code|dxlevel 92}}" (Mac/Linux) and "{{Code|dxlevel 95}}" (Windows), aswell as "Direct3D 9.0c". This is the last version of Direct3D that support all version of Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000 and XP.

DirectX 9.0+/Direct3D 9.0c class graphics card includes Nvidia GeForce 6 series (6600, 6800) and ATI Radeon X1000.

; Supported games
{{code|dxlevel 95}} (or DirectX 9.0c) was first introduced with {{hl2lc|1}}, {{dods|1}} and later {{Src06|4.1}}. {{l4dbranch|1}} games and above requires DirectX 9.0c in order to run.

; Features
* [[$lightwarptexture|Lightwarp]] support
* [[HDR|High dynamic range rendering]] (enabled by default)
* Bicubic lightmap {{since|{{hl2}} 20th anniversary}}

==== <span id="DX9Ex">DirectX 9Ex / Windows Aero DirectX extensions</span> ====
This feature is exclusive to {{src13|2}} and {{csgo|2}} engine branch. DX9Ex may improve/reduce performance on certain hardware, depending on the graphics driver.

DX9Ex is only available on Windows Vista or later.

In {{Src13|1}}, DX9Ex can be disabled/enabled by toggling the "Windows Aero extensions" in Video Options > Advanced, or through {{code|mat_disable_d3d9ex}} console command. 

In {{Csgo|1}}, DX9Ex can be disabled using the {{code|-disable_d3d9ex}} command line.

=== DirectX 9.0c on other platforms ===
==== Game consoles (dxlevel 97/98) ====
Referred to as "{{code|dxlevel 97}}" (PS3){{confirm}} and "{{code|dxlevel 98}}" (Xbox 360). Made specifically for both {{ps3|2.1}} and {{Xbox360|2.1}}. Equivalent to {{code|dxlevel 95}} on PC.
{{confirm|While dxlevel 97 can be only seen in Portal 2 (both PC and PS3), it is not confirmed whether the PS3 version actually uses it. See [[Talk:DirectX Versions#Portal 2 PS3|talk page]].}}
{{important|This version doesn't do anything much in PC builds of any game (the game will reset to {{code|dxlevel 95}} after changing video settings). Only works for {{Xbox360|1}} or {{ps3|1}}, where it is required (and enabled by default).}}
; Features
* GPU [[Particle System Overview|Particle]] Physics

==== Mac/Linux/Android (dxlevel 92) ====
These platform uses {{code|dxlevel 92}}, which is also equivalent to {{code|dxlevel 95}}, but use the translator [[ToGL]] to convert the DirectX calls to [[OpenGL]] calls. Only on {{mac|4}} and {{linux|4}}, and other platforms/operating systems that do not support Direct3D and DirectX.

===<span id="DirectX 10">DirectX 10</span> ===
Introduced with the release of {{win7|4|nt=3}} (and it was only supported on Vista or later), DirectX 10 (and D3D10) is not supported on {{winxp|1|nt=Windows XP}}. Referred to as "{{code|dxlevel 100}}". <br>

DirectX 10-class graphics cards include the {{nvidia|1}} GeForce 8/9/100/200/300 series, Intel GMA X3100, X3500, GMA 4500, and the {{ATIRadeon|1|nt=0}} HD 2000/3000 series cards.

While Intel HD Graphics (2010), Intel HD 2000/3000 is technically a DX10 card, Source by default (according to {{code|dxsupport.cfg}}) forces it to run at {{code|dxlevel 90}} instead of {{code|dxlevel 95}}, even if you launch the game for the first time with Nvidia/AMD high performance GPUs on a laptop with dual switchable GPU (integrated and dedicated).

; Features
*Unified shader pipeline (fixed-function pipeline has been dropped)
*Shader Model 4.x

; Supported games
''While {{code|dxlevel 100|preset=0}} is mentioned in {{code|dxsupport.cfg}} on all games since {{l4dbranch|1}} and above, none of the Source engine branch actually supports and use Direct3D 10.<br>Additionally, Valve later said that DirectX 9 is still sufficient, therefore no Source engine games actually uses Direct3D 10.{{Cite|5}}<br> All of the DX10 features shown in that PDF file was already supported on "{{code|dxlevel 95}}" (DirectX 9 SM 3.0) and {{x360|1}} (which uses "{{code|dxlevel 98}}").''

==== D3D9 renderer with DX10 level ====
In {{sfm}}'''Source Filmmaker''' by default, aswell as the original release of {{Dota2|2}},{{Cite|6}} both games runs on DX10 level, but the renderer still remains on Direct3D 9.

===<span id="DirectX 11">DirectX 11</span> === 
{{For|more DX11 features (which may or may not used in third-party {{src|1}} or {{source2|1}} engine)|[[w:Direct3D#Direct3D_11|Wikipedia's DirectX 11]] page|}}

Referred to as "{{code|dxlevel 110}}".

DirectX 11-class graphics cards include the {{nvidia|name}} GeForce 400 (except GeForce 405) series, Intel HD Graphics 2500, HD 4000 (2012), and the {{ATIRadeon|name|nt=0}} HD 5000 series.

Like previous Intel graphics cards, Intel HD 2500/4000 is technically a DX11 card, Source by default (according to {{code|dxsupport.cfg}} with "Intel Unknown" profile) forces it to run at {{code|dxlevel 90}} instead of {{code|dxlevel 95}}, even if you launch the game for the first time with Nvidia/AMD high performance GPUs on a laptop with dual switchable GPU (integrated and dedicated).

; Features
*Shader Model 5.0
*Multithreaded rendering
*Support for Tessellation

; Supported games
{{source2|4}} natively supports and runs on Direct3D 11 by default, but Source 2 also supports Direct3D 9 for older DX9 GPUs (support was dropped in 2021 with Dota 2 update, with only SteamVR Home still support DX9). {{tfbranch|1}} was the first {{source|name}} branch that supported D3D11.
Direct3D 11 also has backward compatibility support for DirectX 10 or earlier feature level cards, but some later games may require DirectX 11 level cards.
* All {{source2|4}} games
* {{strata|4}}
* {{tfbranch|4}}
* {{vindictus|4}} (introduced in later updates, but the game still uses {{code|dxlevel 95}} level instead.)

=== <span id="DirectX 12">DirectX 12</span> ===
Introduced in 2015, later backported to {{win7|1|nt=2|linkto=Windows 7}} in 2019. D3D12 and DX12 are not supported on {{win8|name|nt=Windows 8}} or {{win8|name|nt=8.1}}. Referred to as "{{code|dxlevel 120}}". <br>

DirectX 12-class graphics cards include the {{nvidia|1}} GeForce 900 series, Intel HD Graphics (from 2015-2016), and the {{AMDRadeon|1|nt=0}} 200 (GCN 2.0), Radeon 300 series cards.

Like previous Intel graphics cards, while these are technically a DX12 card, Source by default (according to {{code|dxsupport.cfg}} with "Intel Unknown" profile) forces it to run at {{code|dxlevel 90}} instead of {{code|dxlevel 95}}, even if you launch the game for the first time with Nvidia/AMD high performance GPUs on a laptop with dual switchable GPU (integrated and dedicated).

; Features
{{For|more DX12/D3D12 features (which may or may not used in third-party {{src|4}} or {{source2|4}} engine)|[[w:Direct3D#Direct3D_12|Wikipedia's Direct3D 12]] page|}}
*Low-level rendering API, similar to [[Vulkan]]
*Shader Model 5.1
*Ray tracing (since {{win10|1|nt=Windows 10}} October 2018 (1809) Update, requires RT-capable GPUs)
*Dynamic refresh rate (since {{win11|1|nt=2}})

; Supported games
* {{Apex|4}} - using {{code|-anticheat_settings{{=}}SettingsDX12.json}} [[command line argument]] - enables Direct3D 12.
* All games using {{Rr|3.1}} (including {{portalrtx|4}}) - converts D3D9 (DX7 level) to Vulkan then converted again to D3D12.{{Cite|3}}

== dxsupport.cfg ==
[[File:Dxsupport.cfg_modification_-_RTX_3060.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Result after modifying {{code|dxsupport.cfg}} on a system running NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060. The game recognizes the card and set MSAA to 8x, and anisotropic filtering to 16x, while also marking it as recommended setting. ]]
This file is located at the {{code|bin}} folder of the game, it is used to set the graphical settings (MSAA, anisotropic filtering, etc.) or DirectX versions for a specific graphics card listed on the file.

For example, on the system with GeForce FX 5900, the game will first detect the exact card and load the "GeForce FX 5900" profile according to its "VendorID" (0x10de) and "DeviceID" (0x0334), then set the default launch resolution to 800x600, DirectX level 8.1 (with max level 9.0), disable motion blur and set Anisotropic filtering to 2X. The GeForce FX 5900 along with other FX 5x00 series are technically DX9 card, but as mentioned above, it suffered from poor performance and graphical glitches with DX9 rendering path.{{Cite|4}}

Over time, this file was later updated to include new GPUs up to the GeForce 500 series or Radeon HD 6000 series (in most Source games). It is automatically generated by "{{code|dxsupport.pl}}" [https://www.perl.org/ Perl] script, which was not included anywhere on the game folder nor the officially released {{Srcsdk13|1}} or {{as|1}} code. The file can be also manually edited to include new GPUs (such as NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 as a example).

Additionally, {{code|dxsupport.cfg}} also includes other DirectX versions such as {{code|dxlevel 92/97/98/100}}, these only works on console ports ({{360}}, {{ps3}}), Dota 2 and SFM (both are only Source games run on DirectX 10 level, but using D3D9 renderer), or platforms such as Mac/Linux (which uses {{code|dxlevel 92}} and uses [[ToGL]] to convert DirectX calls to OpenGL).

GPUs not listed on the {{code|dxsupport.cfg}} will instead load the "NVidia/ATI/Intel Unknown" and set certain graphics to low and anti-aliasing to disabled by default, sometime this can cause a bug that the game defaults to DirectX 8 level even on modern hardware. The game may also default to DirectX 9.0 instead of 9.0+ (95) when running on a laptop with dual switchable GPU (integrated Intel & dedicated Nvidia/AMD), this issues does not affect integrated AMD GPUs.

{| class=standard-table
! DirectX levels !! Graphics card
|-
| DirectX 6.0<br>{{code|dxlevel 60}} || NVIDIA TNT2<br>Matrox G400
|-
| DirectX 7.0<br>{{code|dxlevel 70}} || NVIDIA GeForce 256, 2, 2MX and 4MX<br>ATI Radeon R100 (7xxx)
|-
| DirectX 8.0<br>{{code|dxlevel 80}} || NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti and most of the GeForce FX 5x00 series<br>GeForce 6600 GT / Go 6600
|-
| DirectX 8.1<br>{{code|dxlevel 81}} || NVIDIA GeForce FX 5800 and 5900<br>ATI Radeon 8500/9100 and 9000/9200 cards.
|-
| DirectX 9.0<br>{{code|dxlevel 90}} || {{nvidia|name}} GeForce 6 series (6600, 6600 LE, 6800)<br>ATI Radeon 9500/9600, 9700/9800, X300/X600 and X800 cards<br>All Intel graphics card (incl. Intel HD 2000/3000 or later)
|-
| DirectX 9.0+<br>{{code|dxlevel 95}} || {{nvidia|name}} GeForce 6 series (6600, 6800)<br> ATI Radeon X1000
'''Maximum GPU detected/listed on dxsupport.cfg:'''
<br>GeForce 8800, Radeon X1000 series, Intel GMA 3000/X3000 ({{src06}})
<br>GeForce GT 520 - GTX 590, Radeon HD 6000 series, Intel HD 3000 ({{src07}} - {{src13}})
<br>GeForce GT 610 - GTX 690, Radeon HD 7000/8000 series, Intel HD 4600 ({{l4d2}})
<br>GeForce 510 - GTX 590, GTX 680, Radeon HD 7000 series, Intel HD 4000 ({{p2branch}})
<br>GeForce GT 520 - GTX 590, Radeon HD 6000/7900 series, Intel HD 3000 {{csgo}}
<br>GeForce GT 710 - GTX 780 Ti, Radeon R9 200 series, Intel Unknown only ({{tfbranch}})
|}

=== RTX 3060 profile example ===
This is a example profile for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, combined with [[ConVar]] taken from "Nvidia 7800 GTX" {{code|dxsupport.cfg}} profile.
{{expand|startcollapsed=1|title=Expand to show example|
{{codeblock|<nowiki>	"887"
	{
		"name" "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060"
		"VendorID"	"0x10de"
		"MinDeviceID"	"0x2504"
		"MaxDeviceID"	"0x2504"
		"DefaultRes"	"3840" // Run the game at 4K (or maximum possible resolution your monitor support) when first launched.
		// (optional) Minimum GPU driver versions required to run the game
		"m_nDriverVersion_BuildHigh"	"11"
		"m_nDriverVersion_BuildLow"	"6371"
		// (optional) Minimum GPU driver versions required to run the game (Windows Vista or later)
		"m_nDriverVersion_Vista_BuildHigh"	"11" 
		"m_nDriverVersion_Vista_BuildLow"	"6369"
		"CentroidHack"	"1"
		"ConVar.mat_antialias"	"8" // Set MSAA to 8x
		"ConVar.mat_forceaniso"	"16" // Set anisotropic filtering to 16x
		// Detail props distance (some newer NVIDIA and ATI GPUs have "1600" detail distance), but for some reasons this was 
		absent on later GPUs and Unknown profile by default, resulting more noticeable pop-ins of vegetation and other detail props.
		"ConVar.cl_detaildist"	"1600"
		"ConVar.cl_detailfade"	"400"
		"ConVar.r_fastzreject"	"1" // Activate/deactivates a fast z-setting algorithm to take advantage of hardware with fast z reject.
		"ConVar.mat_motion_blur_enabled"	"0" // Motion blur - disabled by default
		"ConVar.r_waterforcereflectentities"	"1" // Water - Reflect all entities
	}
</nowiki>}}
}}

== Fix DirectX 8.0 level on modern hardware ==
On some modern hardware (or systems with newer graphics card), when you start {{hl2|3.1}} or {{portal|3.1}} (and some {{src13|1}}) games for the first time, the game may default to DirectX 8 level, or DirectX 9.0 (on laptops with dual switchable GPUs, systems with Intel HD Graphics/Intel Arc) instead of DirectX 9.0+.

To fix this, run the game once with {{code|-dxlevel 95}} [[command line argument]] (or launch options), then quit the game and remove the command line (to prevent the game from changing video settings to default). The "Hardware DirectX level" should display as '''DirectX 9.0+''' on the video options.

==Sample screenshots==
{{Note|Starting with {{src07|1}} or {{src09|1}}, all DirectX feature levels prior to DX8 were dropped, while DX9 (since Source 2006) added support for HDR (later improved in Source 2007), color correction and other newer graphical features not present in older engine branches.<br>
Additionally, all screenshots appeared to be based off the default settings (with the exception of [[#Train Station|Train Station]] screenshots with maximum settings and MSAA 8X), with no anti-aliasing and little to no anisotropic filtering (or bilinear/trilinear texture filtering).<br> On some hardware running newer version of {{hl2|name}}, the game may run at 4X MSAA and has 8X anisotropic filtering by default, unlike previous versions (Old Engine).}}

==={{hl2}} Canals===
These screenshots demonstrate displacement map texture blending, directional lightmaps and cubemapped then reflective water.
{| class=standard-table
! DirectX levels !! Old Engine !! New Engine ({{src13|name}}) !! 20th Anniversary<!-- DUE TO GRAY FOG BUG, DO NOT RECREATE THE OLD ENGINE SCREENSHOT ON MODERN HARDWARE. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT APPEAR WHEN RUNNING ON OLD HARDWARE/DRIVERS. SEE: https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?p=1087543#p1087543 --><!-- Also all old engine screenshots shown here are running a build of HL2 predates DirectX 9.0c support, which was added in Lost Coast on late 2005, so don't change it to dxlevel 95.-->
|-
| DirectX 6.0 || [[File:canals5_dx6.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 6.0 ({{code|dxlevel 60}})|384px]] || Unsupported since {{src07|1}} 
|-
| DirectX 7.0 || [[File:canals5_dx7.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 7.0 ({{code|dxlevel 70}})|384px]] || Unsupported since {{src07|1}} 
|-
| DirectX 8.0 || [[File:canals5_dx8.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]] || [[File:Canals5_DX80_newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]] || {{todo}}
|-
| DirectX 8.1 || [[File:canals5_dx81.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 8.1 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]] || [[File:Canals5_DX81_newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 8.1 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]] || {{todo}}
|-
| DirectX 9.0+ || [[File:canals5_dx9.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 90}})|384px]] || [[File:Canals5_DX95_newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 95}})|384px]] || {{todo}}
|}

==={{hl2}} Dropship===
These screenshots show shadow quality at different rendering levels, ranging from none to soft, dynamic shadows.
{| class=standard-table
! DirectX levels !! Old Engine !! New Engine ({{src13|name}}) !! 20th Anniversary
|-
| DirectX 6.0 || [[File:canals2_dx6.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 6.0 ({{code|dxlevel 60}})|384px]] || Unsupported since {{src07|name}} 
|-
| DirectX 7.0 || [[File:canals2_dx7.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 7.0 ({{code|dxlevel 70}})|384px]] || Unsupported since {{src07|name}} 
|-
| DirectX 8.0 || [[File:canals2_dx8.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]] || [[File:Canals2_DX80_newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|-
| DirectX 8.1 || [[File:canals2_dx81.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 8.1 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]] || [[File:Canals2_DX81_newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 8.1 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|-
| DirectX 9.0+ || [[File:canals2_dx9.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 90}})|384px]] || [[File:Canals2_DX95_newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 95}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|}

==={{hl2}} Storm drain===
These screenshots show directional lightmaps and cube-mapped specular effects.
{| class=standard-table
! DirectX levels !! Old Engine !! New Engine ({{src13|name}}) !! 20th Anniversary
|-
| DirectX 6.0 || [[File:canals3_dx6.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 6.0 ({{code|dxlevel 60}})|384px]] || Unsupported since {{src07|name}}  
|-
| DirectX 7.0 || [[File:canals3_dx7.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 7.0 ({{code|dxlevel 70}})|384px]] || Unsupported since {{src07|name}} 
|-
| DirectX 8.0 || [[File:canals3_dx8.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]] || [[File:Stormdrain DX80 newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|-
| DirectX 8.1 || [[File:canals3_dx81.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 8.1 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]] || [[File:Stormdrain DX81 newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|-
| DirectX 9.0+ || [[File:canals3_dx9.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 90}})|384px]] || [[File:Stormdrain DX95 newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 95}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|}

==={{hl2}} Zombie===
These screenshots demonstrate the use of normal-mapping on models. The final shot has full, normal-mapped lighting.
{| class=standard-table
! DirectX levels !! Old Engine !! New Engine ({{src13|name}}) !! 20th Anniversary
|-
| DirectX 6.0 || [[File:zombie_dx6.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 6.0 ({{code|dxlevel 60}})|384px]] || Unsupported since {{src07|name}} 
|-
| DirectX 7.0 || [[File:zombie_dx7.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 7.0 ({{code|dxlevel 70}})|384px]] || Unsupported since {{src07|name}}  
|-
| DirectX 8.0 || [[File:zombie_dx8.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]] || [[File:Zombie DX80 newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|-
| DirectX 8.1 || [[File:zombie_dx81.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 8.1 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]] || [[File:Zombie DX81 newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 8.1 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|-
| DirectX 9.0+ || [[File:zombie_dx9.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 90}})|384px]] || [[File:Zombie DX95 newengine.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 95}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|}

==={{hl2}} <span id="Train Station">Train Station (fake volumetric lighting)</span>===
These screenshots shows the differences between DirectX 8 and 9 on the fake [[volumetric lighting]]. While the DirectX 9.0+ volumetric lighting on Old Engine was slightly less visible compared to DX8 counterpart, the volumetric lighting on New Engine DX9 was even less visible (or nearly invisible) compared to Old Engine's DX9, probably due to a bug (or changes to the lighting/shaders) on Source 2007 and later.{{Cite|1}}{{Cite|2}} This has been fixed in {{hl2u|1}}.

{| class=standard-table
! DirectX levels !! Old Engine !! New Engine ({{src13|name}}) !! 20th Anniversary
|-
| DirectX 6.0 || [[File:Trainstation volumetric DX60 Source 2006.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 6.0 ({{code|dxlevel 60}})|384px]] || Unsupported since {{src07|name}} 
|-
| DirectX 7.0 || [[File:Trainstation volumetric DX70 Source 2006.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 7.0 ({{code|dxlevel 70}})|384px]] || Unsupported since {{src07|name}} 
|-
| DirectX 8.0 || [[File:Trainstation volumetric DX80 Source 2006.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]] || [[File:Trainstation volumetric DX80 Source 2013.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|-
| DirectX 8.1 || [[File:Trainstation volumetric DX81 Source 2006.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 8.1 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]] || [[File:Trainstation volumetric DX81 Source 2013.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 8.1 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|-
| DirectX 9.0+ || [[File:Trainstation volumetric DX95 Source 2006.jpg|Old Engine - DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 95}})|384px]] || [[File:Trainstation volumetric DX95 Source 2013.jpg|New Engine - DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 95}})|384px]] || {{Todo}}
|}

==={{portal}} Portals===
These screenshots compares the texture and particles quality on the portals. Also {{portalrtx|1}} added here as it's the only {{src13|1}} game which support DX7 level, but with all of it's materials replaced with PBR-capable materials and real-time ray-traced lighting.
{| class=standard-table
! DirectX levels !! Image
|-
| DirectX 7.0 and earlier || Unsupported and non-functional. Screenshot identical to DirectX 8.0.
|-
| DirectX 7.0<br>({{portalrtx|1}} only) || [[File:Testchamber0_dx70_rtx.jpg|Portals on DirectX 7.0 level (only supported in Portal with RTX) ({{code|dxlevel 70}})|384px]]
|-
| DirectX 8.0 || [[File:Testchamber0_dx80.jpg|Portals on DirectX 8.0 ({{code|dxlevel 80}})|384px]]
|-
| DirectX 8.1 || [[File:Testchamber0_dx81.jpg|Portals on DirectX 8.1 ({{code|dxlevel 81}})|384px]]
|-
| DirectX 9.0+<br>(LDR) || [[File:Testchamber0_dx95_nohdr.jpg|Portals on DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 95}}), with HDR disabled|384px]]
|-
| DirectX 9.0+<br>(HDR) || [[File:Testchamber0_dx95.jpg|Portals on DirectX 9.0+ ({{code|dxlevel 95}}), with HDR enabled|384px]]
|}

{{references|1=
{{ref2|cite id=1|Jasper Carmack ({{Twitter|@JasperCarmack|icon=hide}}) (April 3, 2024). "{{Twitter|JasperCarmack/status/1775312261743079483|Comparing the differences between Half-Life 2 (Legacy / "DX8" shaders) on the left and (Modern) DX9+ shaders on the right.|icon=hide}}". ''{{twitter}}''. Retrieved {{#time: F d, Y }}.}}
{{ref2|cite id=2|Jasper Carmack ({{Twitter|@JasperCarmack|icon=hide}}) (April 3, 2024). "{{Twitter|JasperCarmack/status/1775370362198601835|When loading the save for comparison, you need to wait a little bit because the light glows are scripted to come on after a delay. So 1 {{=}} dx8, 2 {{=}} dx9 on load, 3 {{=}} dx9 after 5 seconds|icon=hide}}". ''{{twitter}}''. Retrieved {{#time: F d, Y }}.}}
{{ref2|cite id=3|In the game files, there is {{code|dxvk.conf}}, used to store RTX Remix configuration. The game itself then renders as Direct3D 12 (DX12), confirmed when using third-party applications like RivaTurner Statistics Server (RTSS).}}
{{ref2|cite id=4|[https://youtu.be/Xf15h_SB1CU?t{{=}}375 This video] shows the example of DirectX 9 performance issues on GeForce FX 5x00 series card.}}
{{ref2|cite id=5|[https://web.archive.org/web/20080517140112/http://www.pcgameshardware.de/aid,643448/Interview/PCGH_interview_about_Left_4_Dead_part_2/&page{{=}}2 PCGH interview about Left 4 Dead, part 2]<br>Doug Lombardi ([[Valve]]): Well I mean there is always that tradeoff between taking the time to adopt the engine to a new API, right. '''And for us we feel like there still things in DX9 that we can achieve without having to go through the pains of moving to DX 10.''' That is very worthwhile and allows us the time to concentrate on other pieces. So for us as a company and our game designs, we've looked at the tradeoff of the work to move to DX 10 and we have always kind of felt that there is not really enough there for us to delay whatever game we are working on by six to eight month just to say we've a DX10 game. The other thing that is worth mentioning too is to run DX10 natively under the API you have to have both the card and vista. If you google to the Steam hardware survey where we poll peoples machines on Steam you can see that right now there is only about thirteen percent of those people that have both, the DX 10 card and Vista. So you have to look at that as well and say is it worth to investing for thirteen percent of the audience.}}
{{ref2|cite id=6|[[User:kr0tchet|User:leonidakarlach]] (June 4, 2024) - According to {{path|dota\cfg\video|txt}} (generated when the game is launched):
	{{codeblock|<nowiki>"setting.mindxlevel" "92"
"setting.maxdxlevel" "100"
"setting.dxlevel" "100"
</nowiki>}}
The game also report that it's using DirectX 10.0 according to the hidden VGUI Options menu by typing {{Code|gamemenucommand openoptionsdialog}}, go to Video > Advanced > Hardware DirectX level. Third-party software like RivaTurner Statistics Server (RTSS) showing that it's still uses Direct3D 9.0, however.
}}
}}

[[Category:Material System]]
[[Category:Graphics API]]