This paper investigates three different direct torque control strategies for permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM), namely direct torque control (DTC), model predictive torque control (MPTC), and duty ratio modulated direct torque control (DDTC). The basic principle of the mentioned control strategies are presented. Then, using a PMSM fed by a two level voltage source inverter, all of the control strategies are simulated. Based on the obtained results, their performance are compared.