3D Vision Discover Provides Free 3D PC Gaming
Here's a way to activate 3D gaming on a Nvidia GPU without the need to purchase the 3D Vision Kit.
Want 3D PC gaming but dont' have the bucks to dump into a new Nvidia 3D Vision kit? There may be a way around the premium setup if you already own a Nvidia-based GPU. Press X Or Die has a small tutorial on how to get 3D up and running, however this method uses the old-school anaglyph technique using red and cyan filters. That said, you may need to make your own specs--finding a pair on the market may be next to impossible outside ordering through Nvidia.
Nvidia calls this method "3D Vision Discover," and apparently it only works on Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems (sorry XP). The minimum specs also reveal that the PC needs at least an Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon X2 CPU, 1GB of RAM (although Nvidia suggests 2GB), 100MB of HDD space, and any desktop display. 3D Vision Discover doesn't work on just any Nvidia-based GPU either--the GeForce 200/100 series, the GeForce 9 series, and the GeForce 8 series are the only supported GPUs.
For those with qualified rigs, the overall setup sounds rather simple. Once the drivers are installed and the CP reboots (if this process is needed), gamers simply go to Start>All Programs>NVIDIA Corporation>3D Vision, then click on "Enable 3D Vision Discover." The setup goes through various processes of testing and depth correction. Once completed, most games should run in anaglyph mode-- each will even report how well it is supported.
"One thing to note is that it can have a hefty penalty on your frame rate," the blog reads. "For example in L4D it dropped from 60fps down to 30fps. But some games don’t take as much of a hit." The blog added that some games work better than others, with FPS titles receiving the biggest visual "boost." However all games seem to have HUD issues, as the HUD isn't 3D and appears to float on-screen.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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shadow187 So I can get an effect that gives me headaches, halves my FPS, requires me to find an outdated pair of filtering glasses, and doesn't display my game properly, ALL FOR FREE?!Reply
Thanks nVidia. Knew I could count on you. -
mister g +1, though this could work for those people like me who don't have a 200 series GPU, looked at the 3D Vision link, don't those look like those cheap cardboard red blue glasses?Reply -
There's a better (I guess, did not try 3D Vision Discover) alternative. IZ3D offer a good alternative for ATI and other non-supported NVidia GPU. The anaglyph part of the IZ3D driver is free.Reply
Had good performance in L4D2.
Anyway, 3D is just a gimmick to pay more for the same thing but 3dED. -
fball922 Just search "anaglyph glasses" on ebay. $4 shipped from a US seller. Getting a pair just to play with...Reply -
builderbobftw Eh, When they work out the 3D kinks, (Price,Glasses, Only running on Nvidia and 120hz moniters)Reply
It could be pretty awesome, but not in the next 5 years. -
fball922 builderbobftwEh, When they work out the 3D kinks, (Price,Glasses, Only running on Nvidia and 120hz moniters) It could be pretty awesome, but not in the next 5 years.Reply
Well I think the point of this here is that you don't need all of that. Just a compatible GPU and a pair of glasses. -
Pei-chen I want the HUD to float on screen. Think how cool it'll look if "behind" the HUD, zombies are running towards you and you shoot over the HUD with an auto shotty.Reply -
ravewulf Replyyou may need to make your own specs--finding a pair on the market may be next to impossible outside ordering through Nvidia
So not true. Any pair of red/cyan 3D glasses will work from any vendor. Here are just a couple:
http://www.rainbowsymphony.com/
http://www.3dglassesonline.com/ -
builderbobftw Reply9189393 said:Well I think the point of this here is that you don't need all of that. Just a compatible GPU and a pair of glasses.
Still, In doesn't work well at all unless you buck up for the Officail Nvidia Glasses, and IR transmitter. (200$) , a 120H moniter (600$) and a GTX 295 (500$+).
And that's to much to pay for the current, Imperfect 3D.
I'll switch over to 3D when I can do it on ATI, without glasses, and without a 120HZ moniter.
( Oh, and it works well) -
rembo666 I tried it with a pair of cheap paper Red-Blue glasses and it's pretty much worthless. You get a headache real quick, and it can be quite disorienting in closed-quarters games. However, I did like playing Burnout Paradise with the glasses. The depth of field really adds to the sensation of speed.Reply