Radeon 9800 and Splinter Cell: Double Agent

Well here's my problem I had downloaded the demo of Splinter Cell: Double Agent and had left it overnight to install. So once it was finished I was greeted by "Your PC doesn't meet the minimum requirements" and I scroll down to see that I need Pixel Shaders 3.0, So I didn't really think much of it and updated my card to the latest Catalyst Drivers hoping it'd do something (Even though Pixel Shaders are on board). Sadly this is the first time i've really viewed my card as obslete I was hoping Drivers could do something for me there...

So out of curiosity does this mean that I must upgrade my card in order to play newer games that are being released?

Jam it back in, in the dark.