DirectX 10.1 is a revision of the DirectX 10 (DX10) graphics specification, due out soon with the Vista Service Pack 1. Only the Windows Vista systems with
Service Pack 1 can use DirectX 10.1 and those without SP1 will use DirectX10.

DirectX 10.1 adds specifications that were optional in DirectX 10, like 32-bit FP filtering.

The next generation games based on DirectX10.1 will provide a new level of graphics quality. Currently, ATi has released graphics cards based on DirectX 10.1, but the games to utilize the features are yet to be built.

Currently, the DirectX 10.1 is under Beta Testing along with Vista Service Pack 1 and it would be available in the early quarter of 2008. There are rumors that
Microsoft is trying to make DirectX 10.1 compatible with XP.

Gaming enthusiasts and freaks who've spent hundreds of dollars buying the top of the line graphics cards need not worry as the DirectX 10.1 games will function on
DirectX 10 cards, but will not look as good as on a DirectX 10.1 card. None of the 8800s and 8600s that gamers have bought so far will DirectX 10.1 based games the way they should be run.

Let’s wait and see until it is finally out!

i dont know rely if nvidia will make it posible to upgrade only the driver to make it work with it

as fare as i know i used to upgrade only the driver to get the lastest opengl suport

hop that thay will do the same to dirctx 10 also i cant bay for new card

That's crap if people will actually have to purchase new cards that support the full potential of Dx10.1. Personally, I'd be pissed myself if I bought an NVIDIA 8800GT (over $300), or even two of them like our SLI-enthusiasts, only to find out later that the next release of DirectX won't mean any changes BECAUSE of my hardware.

I don't see why they can't just do what they've been doing like with Dx7, Dx8, and Dx9, which were all supported without the need to purchase new hardware to exploit the upgrades.

The answer lies in the Architectural changes to the Windows Vista OS.