   Index buffers
  If you're using vertex data that never needs to be drawn more than once per frame, does an index buffer provide any benefit?  As I understand it, the vertices can be cached, but if they're never being re-used, I'm not sure if that cache is beneficial in any way.If you're wondering why nothing would ever be re-used, it's for a 2D-only project.  I didn't want to have to make a SetTransform and DrawPrimitive call for every single drawn rectangle.  I don't anticipate many groupings of them to be used (as in small groups of rectangles to form a larger image), so that's why it's designed this way.  This may not be ideal though, and I'm certainly open to discussion/suggestions.   
  You only need index buffers if you can lower the mesh data sent to the GPU using it and if you need vertex caching. Vertex caching, however, is not there for multiple reuse of geometry data, you have instancing for that.2D project needs a bunch of quads. With today's GPUs I think it's just easier to use a VB with tri lists. I wouldn't try anything more complex unless I knew it was the bottleneck.   ;  I made some benchmarks with HD3870 by Sapphire.It results that index buffer saves preformance every time. The only reason to not use it it's a single triangle drawing.   ;Quote:Original post by darkelf2k5Vertex caching, however, is not there for multiple reuse of geometry data, you have instancing for that.If it's not there to speed up re-use of vertices, what purpose DOES it serve?Quote:Original post by XVincentXIt results that index buffer saves preformance every time. The only reason to not use it it's a single triangle drawing.I was hoping this wouldn't be the case, but I had a feeling it was.Thanks for the input from both of you.   ;Quote:Original post by XVincentXI made some benchmarks with HD3870 by Sapphire.It results that index buffer saves preformance every time. The only reason to not use it it's a single triangle drawing.I'd be interested in the code for this test. Is it super simplified with nothing else going on? I'd like to see what happens on some more GPUs. I have 5 to test here if you can provide the test.