I wouldn't exactly give myself out as an expert on the area of 3D programming, but I feel I have to ask: Is there a particular reason why you would prefer DirectX over OpenGL?
I ask because I managed to stumble across a really good OpenGL tutorial site. After having one or two problems getting DevCPP to link everything correctly, I was making 3D scenes in no time.
Using just the material on this site, it took a day or two (can't remember exactly) to get to the point where I could make a simple breakout clone, with collision detection, 3D perspective, the lot. That was where I lost interest a bit - no point spending time to
really learn something your not going to use. Well, maybe I'll need it someday... but I'm rambling. Sorry.
Anyway, if you should be interested in OpenGL, check these out:
The tutorial site:
http://nehe.gamedev.net/
Official site, with references and all:
http://www.opengl.org/
Unless I got confused along the way, the Quake series is made with OpenGL. That should be all the good reference you need.