3D Gaming at 720p - GT 240 good enough? GT 240 good enough?
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I am trying to build a silent HTPC that is good enough for 3D gaming, 3D bluray etc.

I have found this: [url="http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=GCZ-XNGT24Z1&af=50"]http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.as...T24Z1&af=50[/url]

ITA A gt240 and seems quite good. I have seen videos of it gaming at 1080p with settings turned up and it seems quite smooth. I am wondering if this card will perform as well in 3D with half the resolution?

If not, can anyone recommend a card that will play 3D in 720p (thats all i need since its on a projector thats 720p). it must also be on the compatible list for playing 3D blurays too.

Many thanks in advance.
I am trying to build a silent HTPC that is good enough for 3D gaming, 3D bluray etc.



I have found this: http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.as...T24Z1&af=50



ITA A gt240 and seems quite good. I have seen videos of it gaming at 1080p with settings turned up and it seems quite smooth. I am wondering if this card will perform as well in 3D with half the resolution?



If not, can anyone recommend a card that will play 3D in 720p (thats all i need since its on a projector thats 720p). it must also be on the compatible list for playing 3D blurays too.



Many thanks in advance.

#1
Posted 06/16/2010 09:42 AM   
2x GTS 250 is not enough.
2x GTS 250 is not enough.

#2
Posted 06/16/2010 09:59 AM   
[quote name='tritosine' post='1074308' date='Jun 16 2010, 10:59 AM']2x GTS 250 is not enough.[/quote]

hmm.

I assumed that half the display resolution would counter double the frame rate... guess not then.

Can anyone suggest a decent, quiet card that is capable of playing semi-decent games in 720p, 3D. Im not talking about the best games with everything turned up, just a fairly decent gaming experience, equivalent to a PS3 in 3D.

Many thanks
[quote name='tritosine' post='1074308' date='Jun 16 2010, 10:59 AM']2x GTS 250 is not enough.



hmm.



I assumed that half the display resolution would counter double the frame rate... guess not then.



Can anyone suggest a decent, quiet card that is capable of playing semi-decent games in 720p, 3D. Im not talking about the best games with everything turned up, just a fairly decent gaming experience, equivalent to a PS3 in 3D.



Many thanks

#3
Posted 06/16/2010 10:42 AM   
[quote name='Cragproductions' post='1074327' date='Jun 16 2010, 11:42 AM']hmm.

I assumed that half the display resolution would counter double the frame rate... guess not then.

Can anyone suggest a decent, quiet card that is capable of playing semi-decent games in 720p, 3D. Im not talking about the best games with everything turned up, just a fairly decent gaming experience, equivalent to a PS3 in 3D.

Many thanks[/quote]

3d turns on 3d vysnc which nerfs FPS to 60 fps max, and generally 40 fps in more demanding games. A single GTX 260 or better is great for the majority of games at 720p and of course a fermi even better.

But a 240-250 while fine for 2d 720 for the vast majority of software is a problem due to 3d vysnc unless you optomise games settings. So you may loss AA_AF entirley in many games to keep the right side fo 40+ fps. The G80 power cards are ok for 40-50% of game at 720p in 3d (Source Civ4 etc i tested a 8800 U) while a Gt200 is ok for 80-90% at 720p with some AA_AF and fermi pretty much 99.9%.

The issue is N3d has to use vsync so you want to have a min FPS close to 40FPS or better or Vysnc trips and pulls you down to 30 fps or below and that gets laggy in shooters.

But cards like the GTX 260-465 are really cheap these days so it's not the end of the world.
[quote name='Cragproductions' post='1074327' date='Jun 16 2010, 11:42 AM']hmm.



I assumed that half the display resolution would counter double the frame rate... guess not then.



Can anyone suggest a decent, quiet card that is capable of playing semi-decent games in 720p, 3D. Im not talking about the best games with everything turned up, just a fairly decent gaming experience, equivalent to a PS3 in 3D.



Many thanks



3d turns on 3d vysnc which nerfs FPS to 60 fps max, and generally 40 fps in more demanding games. A single GTX 260 or better is great for the majority of games at 720p and of course a fermi even better.



But a 240-250 while fine for 2d 720 for the vast majority of software is a problem due to 3d vysnc unless you optomise games settings. So you may loss AA_AF entirley in many games to keep the right side fo 40+ fps. The G80 power cards are ok for 40-50% of game at 720p in 3d (Source Civ4 etc i tested a 8800 U) while a Gt200 is ok for 80-90% at 720p with some AA_AF and fermi pretty much 99.9%.



The issue is N3d has to use vsync so you want to have a min FPS close to 40FPS or better or Vysnc trips and pulls you down to 30 fps or below and that gets laggy in shooters.



But cards like the GTX 260-465 are really cheap these days so it's not the end of the world.

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#4
Posted 06/16/2010 10:49 AM   
[quote name='dirtylarryuk' post='1074330' date='Jun 16 2010, 11:49 AM']3d turns on 3d vysnc which nerfs FPS to 60 fps max, and generally 40 fps in more demanding games. A single GTX 260 or better is great for the majority of games at 720p and of course a fermi even better.

But a 240-250 while fine for 2d 720 for the vast majority of software is a problem due to 3d vysnc unless you optomise games settings. So you may loss AA_AF entirley in many games to keep the right side fo 40+ fps. The G80 power cards are ok for 40-50% of game at 720p in 3d (Source Civ4 etc i tested a 8800 U) while a Gt200 is ok for 80-90% at 720p with some AA_AF and fermi pretty much 99.9%.

The issue is N3d has to use vsync so you want to have a min FPS close to 40FPS or better or Vysnc trips and pulls you down to 30 fps or below and that gets laggy in shooters.

But cards like the GTX 260-465 are really cheap these days so it's not the end of the world.[/quote]

Thanks for the info, very useful.

Its the noise of the card that concerns me more than anything - if i could get a silent card that was top of the range I would get it.

It looks like the 240 is as high as they go with passive cards - if I am mistaken hen please point me in the direction of a better passive card. saying that though, i dont really mind a fan so long as its not a loud one.

its primarily a HTPC so noise is a priority...
[quote name='dirtylarryuk' post='1074330' date='Jun 16 2010, 11:49 AM']3d turns on 3d vysnc which nerfs FPS to 60 fps max, and generally 40 fps in more demanding games. A single GTX 260 or better is great for the majority of games at 720p and of course a fermi even better.



But a 240-250 while fine for 2d 720 for the vast majority of software is a problem due to 3d vysnc unless you optomise games settings. So you may loss AA_AF entirley in many games to keep the right side fo 40+ fps. The G80 power cards are ok for 40-50% of game at 720p in 3d (Source Civ4 etc i tested a 8800 U) while a Gt200 is ok for 80-90% at 720p with some AA_AF and fermi pretty much 99.9%.



The issue is N3d has to use vsync so you want to have a min FPS close to 40FPS or better or Vysnc trips and pulls you down to 30 fps or below and that gets laggy in shooters.



But cards like the GTX 260-465 are really cheap these days so it's not the end of the world.



Thanks for the info, very useful.



Its the noise of the card that concerns me more than anything - if i could get a silent card that was top of the range I would get it.



It looks like the 240 is as high as they go with passive cards - if I am mistaken hen please point me in the direction of a better passive card. saying that though, i dont really mind a fan so long as its not a loud one.



its primarily a HTPC so noise is a priority...

#5
Posted 06/16/2010 01:50 PM   
passive cooled cards are a very bad idea for gaming, ull be better off getting a normal cooling solution... the fans arent really that noisy.
passive cooled cards are a very bad idea for gaming, ull be better off getting a normal cooling solution... the fans arent really that noisy.

#6
Posted 06/16/2010 02:07 PM   
Well, now i have time to respond:

Since 720p vertical resolution is very low, you'll want MSAA engaged all the time. I get ~40 minimum fps with the 2x GTS in game like dragon age , and 30fps minimum in metro2033. Ofcourse when it runs fix 60 thats the best but thats pretty rare, cause that means you have 120fps in 2d.
Well, now i have time to respond:



Since 720p vertical resolution is very low, you'll want MSAA engaged all the time. I get ~40 minimum fps with the 2x GTS in game like dragon age , and 30fps minimum in metro2033. Ofcourse when it runs fix 60 thats the best but thats pretty rare, cause that means you have 120fps in 2d.

#7
Posted 06/16/2010 07:30 PM   
[quote name='tritosine' post='1074608' date='Jun 16 2010, 08:30 PM']Well, now i have time to respond:

Since 720p vertical resolution is very low, you'll want MSAA engaged all the time. I get ~40 minimum fps with the 2x GTS in game like dragon age , and 30fps minimum in metro2033. Ofcourse when it runs fix 60 thats the best but thats pretty rare, cause that means you have 120fps in 2d.[/quote]

Thanks.

I think dual cards is not feasible in a HTPC due to the power consumption and subsequent noise so I think thats out the window.

hmm, didn't really think that 3D gaming at such a low resolution was going to be so intensive. its beginning to look like its just not worth the trouble/money to bother with 3D gaming... im really not a hardcore gamer, would just want to play the occasional FPS or driving game...
[quote name='tritosine' post='1074608' date='Jun 16 2010, 08:30 PM']Well, now i have time to respond:



Since 720p vertical resolution is very low, you'll want MSAA engaged all the time. I get ~40 minimum fps with the 2x GTS in game like dragon age , and 30fps minimum in metro2033. Ofcourse when it runs fix 60 thats the best but thats pretty rare, cause that means you have 120fps in 2d.



Thanks.



I think dual cards is not feasible in a HTPC due to the power consumption and subsequent noise so I think thats out the window.



hmm, didn't really think that 3D gaming at such a low resolution was going to be so intensive. its beginning to look like its just not worth the trouble/money to bother with 3D gaming... im really not a hardcore gamer, would just want to play the occasional FPS or driving game...

#8
Posted 06/16/2010 10:35 PM   
Can anyone suggest a high enough end card that it will play most games in 720p, full quality but one that is not too loud.

All reviews of 4xx cards I have read suggest they are weaker, louder and more power hungry than their ATI cousins.

I want something that is un-intrusive in the livingroom and quiet enough when idle to be a HTPC, but powerful enough to play games.

Many thanks
Can anyone suggest a high enough end card that it will play most games in 720p, full quality but one that is not too loud.



All reviews of 4xx cards I have read suggest they are weaker, louder and more power hungry than their ATI cousins.



I want something that is un-intrusive in the livingroom and quiet enough when idle to be a HTPC, but powerful enough to play games.



Many thanks

#9
Posted 06/17/2010 08:08 AM   
[quote name='Cragproductions' post='1074894' date='Jun 17 2010, 08:08 AM']Can anyone suggest a high enough end card that it will play most games in 720p, full quality but one that is not too loud.

All reviews of 4xx cards I have read suggest they are weaker, louder and more power hungry than their ATI cousins.

I want something that is un-intrusive in the livingroom and quiet enough when idle to be a HTPC, but powerful enough to play games.

Many thanks[/quote]

I have a 260 and the fan is not noisy at all. THis doesn't means that there is not fan noise but it is hardly noticiable, even in games.
I have the same problem than you. I don't want a noisy card and this is stopping me getting the new card models. The problem is that a 260 is ok but not great. It can struggle with some games in maxumum settings and you always need to do some compromises. But I don't want a strong noise that stop me listening music when I'm not playing.
[quote name='Cragproductions' post='1074894' date='Jun 17 2010, 08:08 AM']Can anyone suggest a high enough end card that it will play most games in 720p, full quality but one that is not too loud.



All reviews of 4xx cards I have read suggest they are weaker, louder and more power hungry than their ATI cousins.



I want something that is un-intrusive in the livingroom and quiet enough when idle to be a HTPC, but powerful enough to play games.



Many thanks



I have a 260 and the fan is not noisy at all. THis doesn't means that there is not fan noise but it is hardly noticiable, even in games.

I have the same problem than you. I don't want a noisy card and this is stopping me getting the new card models. The problem is that a 260 is ok but not great. It can struggle with some games in maxumum settings and you always need to do some compromises. But I don't want a strong noise that stop me listening music when I'm not playing.

#10
Posted 06/19/2010 01:32 PM   
[quote name='karl Pg' post='1075948' date='Jun 19 2010, 02:32 PM']I have a 260 and the fan is not noisy at all. THis doesn't means that there is not fan noise but it is hardly noticiable, even in games.
I have the same problem than you. I don't want a noisy card and this is stopping me getting the new card models. The problem is that a 260 is ok but not great. It can struggle with some games in maxumum settings and you always need to do some compromises. But I don't want a strong noise that stop me listening music when I'm not playing.[/quote]

This is the solution I came up with: [url="http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=25123&page=1"]http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=25123&page=1[/url]

Extremely fast card, powerful enough to play any game on max @ 720p i should imagine, and its supposedly almost silent.

£330 i believe is the asking price
[quote name='karl Pg' post='1075948' date='Jun 19 2010, 02:32 PM']I have a 260 and the fan is not noisy at all. THis doesn't means that there is not fan noise but it is hardly noticiable, even in games.

I have the same problem than you. I don't want a noisy card and this is stopping me getting the new card models. The problem is that a 260 is ok but not great. It can struggle with some games in maxumum settings and you always need to do some compromises. But I don't want a strong noise that stop me listening music when I'm not playing.



This is the solution I came up with: http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=25123&page=1



Extremely fast card, powerful enough to play any game on max @ 720p i should imagine, and its supposedly almost silent.



£330 i believe is the asking price

#11
Posted 06/20/2010 05:52 PM   
Water cooled GTX470 for 500 usd can be easily overclocked to GTX480 speed , so for the price of the 480 you get the same speed and no noise.
Water cooled GTX470 for 500 usd can be easily overclocked to GTX480 speed , so for the price of the 480 you get the same speed and no noise.

#12
Posted 06/20/2010 06:29 PM   
[quote name='Cragproductions' post='1074894' date='Jun 17 2010, 04:08 AM']Can anyone suggest a high enough end card that it will play most games in 720p, full quality but one that is not too loud.

[b]All reviews of 4xx cards I have read suggest they are weaker, louder and more power hungry than their ATI cousins.[/b]

I want something that is un-intrusive in the livingroom and quiet enough when idle to be a HTPC, but powerful enough to play games.

Many thanks[/quote]
Bolded portion is inaccurate with regards to performance, however, GTX 400 cards do run hotter and draw more power resulting in generally louder fan noise and are priced accordingly with performance:

GTX 465 > 5830
GTX 470 > 5850
GTX 480 > 5870

If you're looking for cool and quiet operation you can try waiting a few weeks as its rumored Nvidia will be launching their next GPUs based on Fermi architecture, GF104, which will come very close to GTX 465 (slightly faster than GTX 275/285)in terms of performance but should also draw less power and run cooler as its a smaller die than the GF100 based cards listed above.

If you want a cool running solution suitable for an HTPC, the highest-end part that fits that profile is something in the G92 range, but a single-GPU in this range is not adequate for modern gaming in 720p in S3D imo. You would want something in the GT200 range at the minimum or a GF104-based card which will be similar in performance but should have better thermal/power characteristics.
[quote name='Cragproductions' post='1074894' date='Jun 17 2010, 04:08 AM']Can anyone suggest a high enough end card that it will play most games in 720p, full quality but one that is not too loud.



All reviews of 4xx cards I have read suggest they are weaker, louder and more power hungry than their ATI cousins.



I want something that is un-intrusive in the livingroom and quiet enough when idle to be a HTPC, but powerful enough to play games.



Many thanks

Bolded portion is inaccurate with regards to performance, however, GTX 400 cards do run hotter and draw more power resulting in generally louder fan noise and are priced accordingly with performance:



GTX 465 > 5830

GTX 470 > 5850

GTX 480 > 5870



If you're looking for cool and quiet operation you can try waiting a few weeks as its rumored Nvidia will be launching their next GPUs based on Fermi architecture, GF104, which will come very close to GTX 465 (slightly faster than GTX 275/285)in terms of performance but should also draw less power and run cooler as its a smaller die than the GF100 based cards listed above.



If you want a cool running solution suitable for an HTPC, the highest-end part that fits that profile is something in the G92 range, but a single-GPU in this range is not adequate for modern gaming in 720p in S3D imo. You would want something in the GT200 range at the minimum or a GF104-based card which will be similar in performance but should have better thermal/power characteristics.

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#13
Posted 06/20/2010 07:28 PM   
duplicated post
duplicated post

#14
Posted 06/23/2010 08:32 AM   
[date='Jun 19 2010, 02:32 PM' post='1075948']
This is the solution I came up with: [url="http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=25123&page=1"]http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=25123&page=1[/url]

Extremely fast card, powerful enough to play any game on max @ 720p i should imagine, and its supposedly almost silent.

£330 i believe is the asking price
[/quote]

I can not find the card in that link in any online shop
[date='Jun 19 2010, 02:32 PM' post='1075948']

This is the solution I came up with: http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=25123&page=1



Extremely fast card, powerful enough to play any game on max @ 720p i should imagine, and its supposedly almost silent.



£330 i believe is the asking price





I can not find the card in that link in any online shop

#15
Posted 06/23/2010 03:09 PM   
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