[Degeon]

what are your system specs?
Dx plug in is slower to me then OpenGL in my experience. but it isn't "that" slow(lowest I got was 45 FPS).
Try to update your DirectX software. enter Dxdiag(in XP = Start=>run and enter dxdiag. in vista type dxdiag in the search line) go to directx files and make sure you do not have any error(such as debug vrs.) if there is a problem here you should see a yellow exclamation mark near the files and the error details in the notes. since however this is off topic I cannot elaborate further here. you can PM me if you'd like and I'll see what I can do.

back on topic
I have found that Penumbra has some glitches. while there are no triangles(yet...) they are indeed disturbing and obviously shouldn't be there. can anyone else confirm