Wall-Sized 3D Gaming With Nvidia 3D Vision
A couple of months ago, we built a 3D dual-projector system, just like in movie theaters. Now, we're comparing it to Nvidia's 3D Vision projector-based setup to see which option offers the best consumer-level 3D experience for your living room.
Test System And Benchmarks
We're using the same Core 2 Duo E7200-based system we did in our previous 3D theater article in order to compare results. The CPU is an older specimen, but it's a cool-running device, is slightly overclocked, and is a good representation of a processor that someone might use in an HTPC.
For graphics performance, we're testing with the same GeForce GTX 260 that we used in the previous article, once again to keep results comparable. We can't re-use the Radeon HD 4890 because 3D Vision only works with GeForce 3D Vision-ready graphics cards.
We'd like to show you how these games look in 3D and we're offering a way to experience the 3D depth without spending any cash on a 3D monitor. It is called “cross viewing.” The image on the left is for your right eye and the image on the right is for your left eye. A good trick to use is to hold your finger about halfway to the screen in front of the images you are trying to cross view. Focus your eyes on your finger and move your finger towards or away from the screen until there appears to be three identically sized images behind it instead of two. Then, shift your focus to the center image and move your finger out of the way. If done properly you will see what appears to be three images: a clear 3D image in the center and blurry 2D images on each side. For some people it is easier to accomplish this by increasing the distance between your eyes and the monitor. Not everyone will have success with cross viewing, but it is a nice option for folks who can experience it.
For viewers who can't wrap their eyes around cross viewing, these images can still be used to point out any anomalies between right- and left-perspective views.
Header Cell - Column 0 | 3D Test System |
---|---|
CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 (Wolfdale), 2.53 GHz, 3 MB Shared L2 Cache; Overclocked to 2.61 GHz @ 275 MHz FSB |
Motherboard | Asus P5N7A-VM, nForce 730i, BIOS 512 |
Networking | Onboard Gigabit LAN controller |
Memory | Kingston PC2-6400 2 x 2,048 MB, 330 MHz, CL 5-5-5-15-2T |
Graphics | Radeon HD 4890 Reference850 MHz Core, 975 MHz Memory, 1 GB GDDR5Asus GeForce ENGTX260 Matrix 576 MHz Core, 1,242 MHz Shaders, 999 MHz Memory, 796 MB GDDR3 |
Hard Drive | Western Digital Caviar WD50 00AAJS-00YFA500 GB, 7200 RPM, 8 MB cache, SATA 3.0 Gb/s |
Power | Thermaltake Toughpower 1200 W1200 W, ATX 12V 2.2, EPS 12v 2.91 |
Software and Drivers | |
Operating System | Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit, SP2 |
DirectX version | DirectX 10 |
Graphics Drivers | AMD Catalyst 10.2, Nvidia GeForce 196.21 (TriDef and iZ3D benchmarks) and 257.21 (3D Vision benchmarks) |
Benchmark Configuration | |
---|---|
3D Games | |
Crysis | Patch 1.2.1, DirectX 9, Medium Settings |
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | Version 1.0.0, Highest Settings, 4x AA |
Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box | Highest Details, 8x MSAA, SSAO off |
Left 4 Dead | Version 1.0.1.5; Highest Settings, 4x AA |
Dungeons and Dragons Online | Version 1.11.0.8125; Ultra-High Details, DirectX 9, 4x AA |
Star Trek Online | Version 2010.03.22.11.32; Recommended Quality, 4x AA |
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Current page: Test System And Benchmarks
Prev Page Using 3D Vision Next Page Benchmark Results: Left 4 Dead-
infodan What about DLP 3D? the projector supports it, DLP-link glasses are cheaper and dont require a transmitter like the nvidia glasses.Reply -
TheStealthyOne "The whole experiment consisted of about $2500 worth of hardware and software, NOT including the PC driving the displays."Reply
I cringed. -
kolsky I own a acer h5360 and I agree, it is awesome watching 3d movies on it. 1080p? Dont even notice pixellation at 115 inch screen. 720p is fine and at a great price. 1080p 3d projectors will be extremely expensive for average consumers.Reply -
kolsky Im sorry, but 3d is NOT expensive. The acer 5360 can be bought for as low as 580 and the nvidia vision glasses kit can be bought for as low as 150. That is under 1,000... less than the cost of a 3D TV.Reply -
DaFees Interesting read, but ultimately all this 3D talk leaves me with a big question. I have a PS3 and if I upgrade my PC to a 3D vision enabled PC is there a projector (perhaps the one discussed in this article) that would allow me to enjoy the 3D from my PS3 and my PC? I understand if I would need a switch between devices or manually switch cables. I know NVIDIA is working on a 3DTV play tech that let's you use the glasses of 3D enabled HDTV to enjoy NVIDIA 3D Vision, but is there a similar option for projectors?Reply