DirectX Confusion!

[Zirynx]

That is, confusion on my part! I thought I understood this, but apparently not. I'm going about updating my folks' T41 (drivers, apps, SP2 etc, seeing as it hasn't been 'modernised' since they bought it back in June) and, apart from Update-Connector-hell (I've now reverted to 'manual'!) I'm slightly confused about what to do with the DirectX9.0c that Windows Update is suggesting that I download and install - without undo!.

I was sure that the Ati7500 in their T41 was only DirectX7 compatible (max), and a quick search, revealing this thread http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... rectx+7500 seems to confirm it.

However, running 'dxdiag' at the command reveals that DirectX9.0b is currently installed as stock. So my question is, if the Ati7500 only supports Directx7, how does it reconcile with a higher installed version of DirectX? And with that in consideration, is there any point, benefit or other siginificant reason to download (or not) the latest version of DirectX.

TIA.

[jdhurst]

I run DirectX 9.0c on my T41. It runs, and there are no problems in any screen or set of test functions. The video adapter probably doesn't support all the functionality 9.0c affords, but the newest version works.
... JD Hurst

[Guest]

Direct X does not require that the display adapter be compatible with the software version, but if you do have a card compatible with the version you are installing, it will run faster as for incompatible cards, the features the card does not support have to be emulated in the software.

[AlphaKilo470]

That last post is mine folks, didn't realise I wasn't logged in as I was a few minutes ago and I don't remember logging out.