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Whats the word on Windows tablets with x86 x64 procs?
Pardon if this is a FAQ. I'm completely out of touch on modern-ish hardware.
What's the word on D3D DX9c game software running on non-ARM Windows tablets?
Is this happening, or expected any time soon?
Ken Fisher - Semi retired old fart Network Administrator, now working in Network Security. I don't Forum PVP. If you feel I've attacked you, it was probably by accident. When I don't understand, I ask. Such is not intended as criticism.
Comments
Bird is the word.
But seriously, Surface Pro 3 and Razer Edge Pro right now can handle it in extremely limited fashion, I'm not sure there are a lot of other x86 ones out there that can. x86 tablets aren't exactly a big market, since x86 doesn't necessarily lend itself to a tablet very well (especially compared to ARM)
The Surface is running integrated Intel graphics, you won't play anything on High. The Edge has an Nvidia card (GT640M LE), but I'd not really call it that much better. Both are going to suck badly on battery life and get warm.
The best use gaming-wise for these tablets would be as a Steam In-home streaming client, with a decent desktop somewhere local providing the rendering.
Windows tablets are really expensive and not really fast enough for running games.
If you need a Windows and plan to game, either buy a small gaming laptop, or use your Windows desktop computer remotely with a tablet.
I was curious about this as well a while ago and came across a channel dedicated to showing game performance on surface pro. They shows the specs, fps and game settings with a few minutes of play, so you can see the kind of performance you can get.
GTA V: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e-BqGlytWA
The best news in this regard is that ARM windows tablets are dead, which is good because it was useless and stupid.
Other than that, it totally depends on what games you're talking about. The vast majority of tablets use the integrated Intel graphics, which is... meh. But a lot of the games that lend themselves towards the tablet style system are actually quite happy with the intel graphics (Shadowrun comes to mind). But in terms of high end power, there is only the Razer Edge, and it's no longer made, so....
The major issue I've found, is control schemes. A few games are built for touch, and work great. Games that are built for controllers are workable to an extent, either using the Razer Edge controller thingie, or using the touchworks to plop a controller overlay into the game for you. Other than that, it's usually a gigantic pain in the arse. I tried STO on my Razer Edge, and while the edge can certainly handle the graphics just fine, and the game has native controller support, BUT... the touch is doesn't work well at all.
They are definitely coming, but the hardware needs to be figured out first (things are definitely close on that front), and once the hardware is set, then the games will start adjusting to the concept.
Expected anytime soon?
Should just be a question of how quickly Intel rolls out the full range of the new Broadwell CPUs (with socketed Iris Pro integrated graphics) and how quickly manufacturers start to incorporate them. They are already going in laptops / Chromebooks etc. but may have to get lower TDP designs before they start to appear in tablets.)