Maingear Unleashes Prelude 2 with GeForce 3D

[exfileme]

MAINGEAR Computers sent the good word that the new Prelude 2 system is now available for purchase, starting at $1999.99

Maingear Unleashes Prelude 2 with GeForce 3D : Read more

 

[jeverson]

I will always build my own. The price markup on parts with boutique PCs is ridiculous. Then they charge you extra for the warranty. For $2k I can either by an "eh" boutique gaming rig or a kick ass dual video card (SLI or CrossFire... whichever floats your boat) with more RAM CPU horse power and storage. In some cases close to twice as much bang for buck. Plus I've been building systems for over 14 years so I don't need to pay someone even more money to support a PC I am using. The only reason I would recommend a boutique system over one I build is if it is for someone that I don't want to be "on call" for. Long live the DIYs!!!

 

[toothchatter]

Not really close to a bargain, should really be in the $1500 range. But at the same time, a sucker is born every min.

 

[nubie]

How can a rig be "packed" with an external peripheral? The nVidia "3D" is just a USB dongle. For real 3D have a look to iZ3D software that runs on any video card.

Second jeverson's comment.

For $2k my first thought was "ok, it is probably overclocked with a factory warranty, or at least has a 2.8-3.0ghz chip", or "that's OK, as long as there are dual GTX200 series cards in it".

But to saddle it with a card available readily for $150 (or was it not the 9800GTX+?). OK, a $110-125 card, the 9800GT, PITIFUL.

2 large and they can't splurge the extra $54 for a decent 9800GTX or the $100 more for a GTX260 card?

A "Geforce3D" bundle is retailing for $600 (3D kit and LCD). So just ask yourself if a 9800GT is worth $1,400. Hint: it isn't.

If you want to double check the performance boost on this system vs a Core2 Q6600 for $500 ($100 case, $50 PSU, $160-170 CPU, $180 for a MB and RAM), with your choice of video card from $100 9800GT to the GTX260 for a paltry $215.

The hard drive is a $52 unit.

Add up the numbers and ask yourself what you are getting, The case is OK, but it isn't a $300 case. I would prefer a Lian-Li case at this price.


Does anyone know of a PC maker with decent prices in the enthusiast market?

(part of the problem may be the DDR3 and i7, this isn't the best time to upgrade to those, wait a bit for prices to fall, maybe 6 months to a year)

 

[toothchatter]

I have both iz3d, and the nvidia 3d, and iz3d pales in comparison to the nvidia 3d. The iz3d has the sense of depth, but the nvidia 3d has both depth, and actually gives you sense that objects are coming towards you,(at least in the tech demo.) The dongle actually transmits a signal to the wireless active lcd glasses to sync up with the monitor. You can also use nvidias 3d on 3d ready dlp's when connecting dvi-hdmi on the tv. But you're spot on with the rest of your comments.

 

[ooo]

http://gamerslastwill.com/2009/02/02/3d-left-4-dead-for-free-oh-yeah-heres-how/

 

[ooo]

http://gamerslastwill.com/2009/02/02/3d-left-4-dead-for-free-oh-yeah-heres-how/

In the link above you can use the old anaglyph red/ble , red/green , blue/yellow old 3D glasses and it works well download stereoscopic player or the iz3D player for free...
http://iz3d.com/t-dcplayer.aspx

Works fine with Friday 13 : Part 3-D / Fly Me to the Moon / and im currently downloading Jaws and Ametiville...

Nvidia now use a new technology and glasses but the constant black frames between one eye and the other can cause headache and also your videocard will not last further cuz of the constant blinks / second...

So is your choice now the old technology (no so good but does the job very well) or the new tech but could cost you more in the future...you decide also works with ati the link above... enjoy

 

[djab]

For those who want to try the Nvidia 3d drivers compatibility with their games before to buy the 3DVision glasses, you can use the Nvidia 3D drivers with Red/Cyan Anaglyph glasses WITHOUT any hack.

The link above may be useful if your glasses do not have the correct colors. But most of the cheap cardboard anaglyph glasses you can find attached to magazines are Red/Cyan.

The Nvidia 3D driver kit is there:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_3D_vision_CD_1.05_beta.html
This kit contains the graphic driver, the stereo 3D driver and the 3Dvision driver. It is more stable than downloading/installing each of the drivers seperatly.
If you do not have the 3Dvison glasses, just skip the part about their installation.

I am using the 1.04 version and it is working perfectly with my Red/Cyan glasses with Prince of Persia (my best stereo 3d game so far because there is almost no in game HUD and there are lots of platforms) and Assassin's Creed.

 

[nubie]

Let me see if I can spell it out for you: I have a 3D solution with Dual LCD's and passive full color 3D.

No batteries, no wires, no "sync signals".

nVidia WAS supporting it for several years up to 2006/7, then mysteriously they dropped all support for real 3D. Have a look at a real driver panel from when nVidia actually supported 3D: http://picasaweb.google.com/nubie07/3DMonitor#5057080082702102034

Thankfully iZ3D has come out with a driver to support dual output displays such as Polarized direct view, polarized projection, and HMD. (not to mention front/back polarized, side-by-side etc.) They even offer checkerboard DLP for free (Samsung/Mitsubishi 3D HDTV's) on AMD video cards.

Also iZ3D drivers are TOTALLY FREE in anaglyph mode: http://www.iz3d.com/t-dcdriver.aspx

I have built my own passive polarized projection rig, and my own direct-view beamsplitter polarized setup. nVidia cancelled all support for this SUPERIOR method of 3D. I can't support their "package" of 3D for $600 when I can do it for under $300 at the same quality (but DOUBLE the resolution), with multiple high quality passive glasses going for $3 apiece or less.

Here are pictures of my proof of concept, it can be mounted on a stand. http://picasaweb.google.com/nubie07/3DMonitor#

Not to bash nVidia for trying to bring 3D to the mainstream, $200 is fairly reasonable if it works on your projector or TV or whatever, but $2,000 is NOT!

Cost? 2 Screens with a 45° or 135° polarization and a half-mirrored piece of glass. A stand to put it in, and $3 for a pair of glasses.

Use a Dual-Output video card (AKA any video card), download the iZ3D drivers and start playing in 3D for real.

2 LCD screens are dirt cheap, unlike this $600 monitor bundle. Since you likely already have 1 LCD screen, simply get another off eBay for ~$150 and find some half-mirrored glass at the local glass merchant.