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Hey everybody, Dom here. Today I’d like to talk about directx settings in Team Fortress 2.

It is possible to change what version of directx Team Fortress 2 utilizes. Doing so can drastically change the look and performance of the game, especially on older and inferior computers. Here’s a quick guide to what directx is, what’s the optimal setting to use and how to go about changing and applying said settings.

So what is directx?

Directx is shorthand for a bunch of APIs. These APIs act as a sort of code foundation which programs make reference to and use, like a library. On Windows computers Team Fortress 2 uses directx. As a side-note on Linux and Mac based systems Team Fortress 2 instead uses Open GL so it’s not possible to change directx level on these platforms.

There are 5 main directx settings. From lowest to highest, the settings are 8, 8.1, 9, 9.5 and 9.8.

8 and 8.1 are very similar. The performance between them is comparable but 8.1 has some slight advantages. 8.1 has less glitches. 9, 9.5 and 9.8 share similarities and look almost identical.

When it comes to performance, 8 and 8.1 provide the best performance when a GPU is suboptimal. Team Fortress 2 on older and cheaper computers usual gets a performance boost with directx 8 or 8.1. On the other end of the spectrum with powerful GPUs there's actually a performance boost at the higher directx levels. These are just general guidelines. Idealy players experiment and try out all directx levels on their computers and test what gives the best performance.

Another thing to mention about directx levels and performance has to do with map making. Map makers can set up a case-by-case basis weather or not a prop or effect renders on a certain directx level. The trees outside of sawmill are an example of this. They aren’t necessary for gameplay and don’t render on 8.1 but rather 9 and above.

In terms of looks, 8 and 8.1 is a step down in visuals. Some sadder effects don't show up well or don't work at all. The classes look less highlighted and plastic, but rather look more matte. Some partial effects differ too. Effects like the payload cart glowing though walls don’t work. One last thing that really stands out is how ubered players look.


To change directx level navigate to Team Fortress 2 in Steam. Right click and select properties. In the General tab select Set launch Options. Put “dash d x level space” and then a number. The numbers is formatted differently than the actual directx level. Directx 8 is the number 80, 8.1 and 81, 9 is 90, 9.5 is 95 and 9.8 is 98. After inputting the launch option launch the game. All video settings reset to default. Now change video settings to whatever is desirable, exit the game and remove the launch option. The launch option should me removed because otherwise video settings will restart every time Team Fortress 2 is launched.


Thanks for reading. Don't forget to like/fav if you did. Subscribe to me on YouTube.

First change your video settings before deciding to change directx level. I mean since it’s a drastic change it should be done when other graphical changes for performance have been eliminated.

At the time or recording this it’s the year 2015 and directx 12 exists. Directx 8 was reassessed November of the year 2000. Don’t blame Valve that they can’t program in cart glow or other fancy effects having to using 15 year old code.

8 and 8.1 is almost exactly the same in terms of performance but 8.1 is less glitchy. Use 8.1 instead of 8 if you ever consider playing on the 8s. People SAY 9 and 9.5 is the same and 9.8 is slightly nicer but I really can’t tell the difference.

Copy+past for the lazy
-dxlevel 80
-dxlevel 81
-dxlevel 90
-dxlevel 95
-dxlevel 98

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