Microsoft unveils DirectX 11

Microsoft has revealed the first details on the latest version of its DirectX SDK at the Gamefest event in Seattle.

Chief new features in version 11 are the new Compute Shader technology, which allows GPUs to be used for general purpose computing; support for tesselation, allowing models to be refined and smoother up-close; and multi-threaded resource handling to help games utilise multi-processor set-ups more effectively.

Rather than require new hardware as DirectX 10 did, DirectX 11 will be completely compatible with DirectX 10 and 10.1 cards – but will, like its predecessor, only support Windows Vista.