Skyscraper wrote:candle_86 wrote:
But your missing the bigger point, SM 2 didnt matter for the first gen
This is just not true, normal people do not buy new computers every year not even normal gamers. Even back in 2003-2004 people expected their new computers to last 2-3 years before any upgrades are needed.
I used to build computers as a side job, longevity was a main concern when choosing parts, just as important as price.
people buying at the bleeding edge usually will upgrade regularly, about once a year for at least their video card. I've watched this for years, on forums and with friends that liked bleeding edge. One is a perfect example.
Bought a Brand new FX 5800 Ultra on release, he then bought an FX 5950 Ultra, followed that with a 6800 Ultra, then a 7800GTX, then bought an x1900XTX, followed by an 8800GTX, to a 9800GX2, which he then bought a GTX 295, to a GTX 580, to a GTX 680, then bought a Titan, then a Titan Black, and just recently he bought a Titan X. Thats your bleeding edge personality right their.
As for the rest of us, considering the 9500/9600 where rather slow in DX9 titles with DX9 features actually enabled most ran in SM 1 code which at the SM1 code path the FX5600/FX5700 more than handled them. This can be viewed in most other games outside of HL2 dropping down to the SM 1 or SM 1.1 path, such as Medal of Honor Pacfic Assault, FarCry, Fear, COD 2 (drops to DX7 path automatically on these cards).
So yes they ran games until 2006ish, but not on the DX9 code path, they where to slow for acceptable performance with SM2 code.