3D Noob needs advice

[moomooman]

Hi All,

I'm investigating the viability of moving into the world of 3D gaming and I'm getting more confused and uncertain the more I read.

MY questions are pretty general, I have an ATI Radeon HD4870x2 with a Samsung T260 LCD. Can that form part of a 3D setup?

Do I need to buy a Nvidia 280 and a set of 3D glasses and a new monitor?

Any advice or pointers would be very welcome!

 

[plastichairball]

Here's a blatant copy-paste from the Nvidia website of the cards that support 3D gaming:

GeForce GTX 580
GeForce GTX 570
GeForce GTX 480
GeForce GTX 470
GeForce GTX 465
GeForce GTX 460
GeForce GTS 450
GeForce GT 340
GeForce GT 330
GeForce GT 320
GeForce GTX 295
GeForce GTX 285
GeForce GTX 280
GeForce GTX 275
GeForce GTX 260
GeForce GTS 250
GeForce GTS 240
GeForce GT 140
GeForce 9800 GX2
GeForce 9800 GTX+
GeForce 9800 GTX
GeForce 9800 GT
GeForce 9600 GT
GeForce 8800 Ultra
GeForce 8800 GTX
GeForce 8800 GTS
GeForce 8800 GT

From the AMD site:

AMD Radeon™ HD 6870
AMD Radeon™ HD 6850
ATI Radeon™ HD 5970
ATI Radeon™ HD 5870
ATI Radeon™ HD 5850
ATI Radeon™ HD 5830
ATI Radeon™ HD 5770
ATI Radeon™ HD 5750
ATI Radeon™ HD 5670
ATI Radeon™ HD 5570
ATI Radeon™ HD 5550
ATI Radeon™ HD 5450

 

[plastichairball]

That is to say, not all of those cards would be POWERFUL enough for 3D gaming, but they support it! You would indeed need the glasses, and a compatible monitor.

 

[BeCoolBro]

That is to say, not all of those cards would be POWERFUL enough for 3D gaming, but they support it! You would indeed need the glasses, and a compatible monitor.

Anything from the 5750 and up on the amd side and the 8800gtx(excluding the 9600gt) and up would be powerful enough albeit at certain resolutions.Another thing to note is that 3d glasses and drivers are supported by Nvidia,while on AMD's site you will have to use 3rd party software.

 

[wa1]

1. No you can't, HD4870x2 isn't 3D capable, you need NVIDIA card and 3D monitor+3d glasses.
2. Do not buy an old tech like GTX280, you'll better with newer tech like GTX460, GTX470, GTX570, or even GTX580.

 

[moomooman]

Hey everybody!

Thank you very much for your replies. It seems my vid card+monitor just arent old enough to be retired just yet.

I may be in a position to get a smaller (32") 3D TV at some point and then it will be more worthwhile for me to get a new graphics card and 3d glasses.

Reviews of 3d sound great but it would need to be for the cost of getting equipped.

Thanks!

 

[plastichairball]

That is quite right. Your system is pretty awesome right now, no need to retire it just yet. Arguably, 3D hasn't really taken off yet (if it will) so there's no rush. Let it become more refined, commonplace and cost-effective before you take the plunge.

 

[wa1]

^+1
good point, your current HD4870x2 is still great even for today's standard, i bet you can maxed out almost anything with that card.