Can I Run 3D? Will my current setup let me run 3D?
Hi,
Firstly, I want to apologise in advance because I am sure this sort of question gets asked all the time and this may not even be the right place for it. I haven't really used forums before so I wasn't sure where to look for similar requests.

I am interested in running 3D on my computer where possible but I am not sure about my monitor. I read somewhere that a 3D-ready monitor is not required if I buy the nVidia Vision kit but I have read articles stating otherwise. Could someone please help me out?

I currently have:
Microsoft Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Intel Core i7-920 @ 2.67 GHz
RAM: 6 GB DDR3
nVidia GeForce GTX 295 (3.6 GB)
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster T220

SystemRequirementsLab tells me that I have all the recommended specs but I know it doesn't check my display. What would I need to buy to run 3D on my current setup? If I can, what sort of quality can I expect - I'm all about long-term purchases so I would be willing to put out the extra money to get a 3D-ready monitor if it means I'll get more usage and better quality out of it.
Hi,

Firstly, I want to apologise in advance because I am sure this sort of question gets asked all the time and this may not even be the right place for it. I haven't really used forums before so I wasn't sure where to look for similar requests.



I am interested in running 3D on my computer where possible but I am not sure about my monitor. I read somewhere that a 3D-ready monitor is not required if I buy the nVidia Vision kit but I have read articles stating otherwise. Could someone please help me out?



I currently have:

Microsoft Vista Ultimate 64-bit

Intel Core i7-920 @ 2.67 GHz

RAM: 6 GB DDR3

nVidia GeForce GTX 295 (3.6 GB)

Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster T220



SystemRequirementsLab tells me that I have all the recommended specs but I know it doesn't check my display. What would I need to buy to run 3D on my current setup? If I can, what sort of quality can I expect - I'm all about long-term purchases so I would be willing to put out the extra money to get a 3D-ready monitor if it means I'll get more usage and better quality out of it.

#1
Posted 05/26/2011 02:14 AM   
Your pc is nice. However, you would have to buy a 3d ready 120hz monitor with dual-link dvi. The T220 is 60hz. I am very happy with my Samsung 2233rz. But there are better monitors now for less than what I paid for mine.
I just bought the monitor and 3d kit at the same time. Not really that expensive when you think of how much some 3dtv's are. You can get a good 120hz monitor for pretty cheap nowadays. /smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':smile:' />
Your pc is nice. However, you would have to buy a 3d ready 120hz monitor with dual-link dvi. The T220 is 60hz. I am very happy with my Samsung 2233rz. But there are better monitors now for less than what I paid for mine.

I just bought the monitor and 3d kit at the same time. Not really that expensive when you think of how much some 3dtv's are. You can get a good 120hz monitor for pretty cheap nowadays. /smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':smile:' />

AsRock X58 Extreme6 mobo
Intel Core-i7 950 @ 4ghz
12gb Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600
ASUS DirectCU II GTX 780 3gb
Corsair TX 950w PSU
NZXT Phantom Red/Black Case
3d Vision 1 w/ Samsung 2233rz Monitor
3d Vision 2 w/ ASUS VG278HE Monitor

#2
Posted 05/26/2011 02:35 AM   
Thanks for the quick reply, Acid!

I'll look into investing into a 120Hz monitor then. I'm very excited about upgrading to 3D especially when it comes to playing games.

However, how good is the 3D quality if I switch to a 120Hz Monitor and the 3D Kit? If I purchased a 3D-ready monitor, would I see a noticeable increase in quality?
Thanks for the quick reply, Acid!



I'll look into investing into a 120Hz monitor then. I'm very excited about upgrading to 3D especially when it comes to playing games.



However, how good is the 3D quality if I switch to a 120Hz Monitor and the 3D Kit? If I purchased a 3D-ready monitor, would I see a noticeable increase in quality?

#3
Posted 05/26/2011 04:55 PM   
[quote name='IceHot247' date='26 May 2011 - 11:55 AM' timestamp='1306428903' post='1242686']
Thanks for the quick reply, Acid!

I'll look into investing into a 120Hz monitor then. I'm very excited about upgrading to 3D especially when it comes to playing games.

However, how good is the 3D quality if I switch to a 120Hz Monitor and the 3D Kit? If I purchased a 3D-ready monitor, would I see a noticeable increase in quality?
[/quote]

The quick answer is generally no, picture "quality" is not why you buy a 120hz monitor, it's the immersion level you are paying for. In 2d the quality of the picture won't generally be any different vs a good quality standard monitor. What you gain is the ability to game in 2d at 120hz, instead of 60hz. If your setup it powerful enough to push out high framerates, your games will feel smoother when playing with no screen tearing (120fps vs 60fps). I don't think the difference is huge, but is noticable. The other benefit is the ability to play in 3d, which can be amazing. I say "can be" because it is largely dependant on the individual game. For example, Supreme Commander 2 looks like crap, on the other hand Starcraft 2 looks fantastic. That is why you will hear some people make a big deal out of a game being 3d Vision ready. The added depth actually makes the game feel larger, as if looking into another world. A gun in no longer a 2d static picture with a recticle on the screen, it's in your hands. In Portal 2, the 3d makes the gun appear to be where your hand would naturally be, quite interesting. I also feel that it actually brings out the sharpness in the textures and in many ways the picture looks more detailed. The downside of 3d is two fold, it takes a lot of horsepower to run smoothly, and the glasses have a dimming effect which mutes the colors a bit (think gaming with sunglasses).
[quote name='IceHot247' date='26 May 2011 - 11:55 AM' timestamp='1306428903' post='1242686']

Thanks for the quick reply, Acid!



I'll look into investing into a 120Hz monitor then. I'm very excited about upgrading to 3D especially when it comes to playing games.



However, how good is the 3D quality if I switch to a 120Hz Monitor and the 3D Kit? If I purchased a 3D-ready monitor, would I see a noticeable increase in quality?





The quick answer is generally no, picture "quality" is not why you buy a 120hz monitor, it's the immersion level you are paying for. In 2d the quality of the picture won't generally be any different vs a good quality standard monitor. What you gain is the ability to game in 2d at 120hz, instead of 60hz. If your setup it powerful enough to push out high framerates, your games will feel smoother when playing with no screen tearing (120fps vs 60fps). I don't think the difference is huge, but is noticable. The other benefit is the ability to play in 3d, which can be amazing. I say "can be" because it is largely dependant on the individual game. For example, Supreme Commander 2 looks like crap, on the other hand Starcraft 2 looks fantastic. That is why you will hear some people make a big deal out of a game being 3d Vision ready. The added depth actually makes the game feel larger, as if looking into another world. A gun in no longer a 2d static picture with a recticle on the screen, it's in your hands. In Portal 2, the 3d makes the gun appear to be where your hand would naturally be, quite interesting. I also feel that it actually brings out the sharpness in the textures and in many ways the picture looks more detailed. The downside of 3d is two fold, it takes a lot of horsepower to run smoothly, and the glasses have a dimming effect which mutes the colors a bit (think gaming with sunglasses).

#4
Posted 05/26/2011 06:31 PM   
[quote name='Mdym' date='26 May 2011 - 02:31 PM' timestamp='1306434662' post='1242721']
The quick answer is generally no, picture "quality" is not why you buy a 120hz monitor, it's the immersion level you are paying for. In 2d the quality of the picture won't generally be any different vs a good quality standard monitor. What you gain is the ability to game in 2d at 120hz, instead of 60hz. If your setup it powerful enough to push out high framerates, your games will feel smoother when playing with no screen tearing (120fps vs 60fps). I don't think the difference is huge, but is noticable. The other benefit is the ability to play in 3d, which can be amazing. I say "can be" because it is largely dependant on the individual game. For example, Supreme Commander 2 looks like crap, on the other hand Starcraft 2 looks fantastic. That is why you will hear some people make a big deal out of a game being 3d Vision ready. The added depth actually makes the game feel larger, as if looking into another world. A gun in no longer a 2d static picture with a recticle on the screen, it's in your hands. In Portal 2, the 3d makes the gun appear to be where your hand would naturally be, quite interesting. I also feel that it actually brings out the sharpness in the textures and in many ways the picture looks more detailed. The downside of 3d is two fold, it takes a lot of horsepower to run smoothly, and the glasses have a dimming effect which mutes the colors a bit (think gaming with sunglasses).
[/quote]

Thanks, Mdym!

Thanks for sharing your experience. I was a little concerned about the 'sunglasses' effect of 3D glasses but I'm sure I can get past that. I'm actually looking forward to testing out 3D and have already started looking at 120Hz monitors! nVidia has an extensive list of games that have been categorised by how good the quality of their 3D is.

This new realm of 'immersion' is taking me down a slippery slope! The 3D Vision Surround sounds amazing! If I want to go that route, I'll have to get three monitors AND upgrade my graphics card! Hmm....
[quote name='Mdym' date='26 May 2011 - 02:31 PM' timestamp='1306434662' post='1242721']

The quick answer is generally no, picture "quality" is not why you buy a 120hz monitor, it's the immersion level you are paying for. In 2d the quality of the picture won't generally be any different vs a good quality standard monitor. What you gain is the ability to game in 2d at 120hz, instead of 60hz. If your setup it powerful enough to push out high framerates, your games will feel smoother when playing with no screen tearing (120fps vs 60fps). I don't think the difference is huge, but is noticable. The other benefit is the ability to play in 3d, which can be amazing. I say "can be" because it is largely dependant on the individual game. For example, Supreme Commander 2 looks like crap, on the other hand Starcraft 2 looks fantastic. That is why you will hear some people make a big deal out of a game being 3d Vision ready. The added depth actually makes the game feel larger, as if looking into another world. A gun in no longer a 2d static picture with a recticle on the screen, it's in your hands. In Portal 2, the 3d makes the gun appear to be where your hand would naturally be, quite interesting. I also feel that it actually brings out the sharpness in the textures and in many ways the picture looks more detailed. The downside of 3d is two fold, it takes a lot of horsepower to run smoothly, and the glasses have a dimming effect which mutes the colors a bit (think gaming with sunglasses).





Thanks, Mdym!



Thanks for sharing your experience. I was a little concerned about the 'sunglasses' effect of 3D glasses but I'm sure I can get past that. I'm actually looking forward to testing out 3D and have already started looking at 120Hz monitors! nVidia has an extensive list of games that have been categorised by how good the quality of their 3D is.



This new realm of 'immersion' is taking me down a slippery slope! The 3D Vision Surround sounds amazing! If I want to go that route, I'll have to get three monitors AND upgrade my graphics card! Hmm....

#5
Posted 05/27/2011 08:51 PM   
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