Nvidia 3D Vision Vs. AMD HD3D: 18 Games, Evaluated

Two Compelling 3D Solutions With Strengths And Weaknesses

Before we draw any conclusions, let’s see how 3D Vision and HD3D stack up when it comes to usability:

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GameNvidia 3D VisionAMD HD3D & TriDef IgnitionNative HD3D Support
StarCraft IIExcellent 3D resultExcellent 3D gameplay result, but slight anomalies in cut scenesRow 0 - Cell 3
Civilization VExcellent 3D resultExcellent 3D result in DirectX 9; DirectX 11 does not workRow 1 - Cell 3
BulletstormExcellent 3D resultExcellent 3D resultRow 2 - Cell 3
Crysis 2Excellent 3D resultNot RecommendedRow 3 - Cell 3
Just Cause 2Excellent 3D resultNot RecommendedRow 4 - Cell 3
Lost Planet 2Excellent 3D gameplay result, but slight anomalies in cut scenesExcellent 3D Result in DirectX 9; DirectX 11 does not workRow 5 - Cell 3
Aliens vs. PredatorNot RecommendedGood 3D result in DirectX 9 with Virtual 3D mode; DirectX 11 does not workRow 6 - Cell 3
Left 4 Dead 2Good 3D result with lowered details although water artifacts are unavoidableGood 3D result with Virtual 3D modeRow 7 - Cell 3
F1 2010Good 3D result with lowered detailsGood 3D result with Virtual 3D modeRow 8 - Cell 3
Need 4 Speed: Hot PursuitNot RecommendedGood 3D result with Virtual 3D modeRow 9 - Cell 3
DiRT 3Good 3D result with lowered detailsGood 3D result in DirectX 9 with Virtual 3D mode; DirectX 11 does not workExcellent 3D result
World of WarcraftExcellent 3D result with slight setting reductionGood 3D result with Virtual 3D modeRow 11 - Cell 3
Lord Of The Rings OnlineExcellent 3D result with slight setting reductionExcellent 3D result in DirectX 9 with TriDef setting adjustment; DirectX 11 is problematicRow 12 - Cell 3
Star Trek OnlineGood 3D result with lowered detailsGood 3D result with lowered details or with Virtual 3D modeRow 13 - Cell 3
Mass Effect 2Not RecommendedGood 3D result with Virtual 3D modeRow 14 - Cell 3
Dragon Age 2Not RecommendedGood 3D result with Virtual 3D modeRow 15 - Cell 3
Metro 2033Excellent 3D resultExcellent 3D resultRow 16 - Cell 3
Deus Ex: Human RevolutionNot RecommendedNot RecommendedGood 3D result on the HUD, but no apparent depth in the game world

This chart gives a fairly good impression of how 3D Vision and AMD HD3D/TriDef Ignition stack up. In general, Nvidia’s solution is simpler to use, but sometimes requires in-game settings to be compromised to minimize artifacts. On the other hand, TriDef Ignition is often capable of doing its job with in-game effects left on. However, it requires more tweaking to tune. When that happens, you'll find yourself messing with the launcher and settings, sometimes shifting down to DirectX 9 for compatibility reasons.

From a visual quality standpoint, given the choice between de-tuning detail like shadows or reverting to DirectX 9, we’d choose the older API every time. DirectX 10/11 effects are still relatively subtle. Because of this, we’re fans of TriDef’s Virtual 3D mode, as it generally allows us to leave shadows and lighting effects at their highest settings, even if it does require stepping back to DirectX 9.

Virtual 3D mode isn't perfect, though; because the depth buffer is given priority, interface elements like HUDs and menus are often distorted by the geometry behind them. Objects near the camera (like a weapon in a first-person shooter) are usually surrounded in a blurry halo of pixels, a result of the driver extrapolating a 3D image from a 2D frame. In some cases, this halo is almost impossible to see. In others, it's quite distracting. Because of these problems, the Virtual 3D mode never earns an excellent rating, but it almost always deserves a good one. Despite its issues, this mode can become the best 3D solution in some titles, as 3D Vision sometimes encounters even more distracting anomalies.

On the other hand, Nvidia’s 3D Vision is easier to work with, and it delivers a smoother experience in a more tightly controlled package. There’s less to worry about when using 3D Vision, it is more consistent, and there is a fair number of AAA titles that boast excellent 3D Vision support: World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Crysis 2, are but a few. Nvidia's stereoscopic option scored twice as many excellent ratings as the competition. Then again, the TriDef solution was only unplayable with three of the 18 games we tested, while 3D Vision displayed significant problems with five of the games.

The bottom line is that both options can be viable from a visual quality standpoint, but it depends on the game. AMD's HD3D might not offer as polished of an experience as Nvidia's 3D Vision, but it has certainly reached the point where we consider it a valid alternative.

Of course, we can't deliver a blanket recommendation because everything changes on a game-by-game basis. If you want to play Crysis 2 in 3D, you'll want to use 3D Vision. If you want to play Deus Ex: Human Revolution in 3D, HD3D is your solution of choice. Having said that, we should mention that TriDef 3D Ignition unofficially supports Nvidia graphics cards, and we were able to get it to work with the GeForce GTX 570 over HDMI when 3DTV Play was installed. Nvidia was both surprised and dismayed that the TriDef driver worked with their graphics cards when we went to them for feedback. So, without the company's official blessing, we’re not confident that the TriDef driver will ever consistently work with GeForce cards.

Now We Know About Visual Quality, But What About Performance?

If you're putting together a 3D gaming rig, it's best to skip low-end hardware entirely and go with a high-end CPU and graphics card. During preliminary testing, we noticed that a decent Phenom II X4 had some trouble providing smooth frame rates, and mid-level graphics cards were cut down to their knees. Using a Core i5-2500K overclocked to 4 GHz and a Radeon HD 6970 or GeForce GTX 570, we experienced much more acceptable frame rates (aside for DiRT 3 in native HD3D mode). The moral of this story is that you can't go cheap if you plan to game in stereoscopic mode.

That's a seat-of-the-pants assessment though, and we can't deliver a more definitive recommendation until we get our hands on a 3D-capable DisplayPort monitor that will allow us to fairly pit Nvidia's 3D Vision against AMD's HD3D on even turf at 1080p/60 FPS. Until then, we hope this cursory evaluation of 18 different games gives you a much better idea of what you can expect from competing stereoscopic standards.

  • renick
    nvidia 3d vision is best in all............
    Reply
  • Kamab
    Except for the ones where it's not recommended. Good thing I have one on this rig! Now I just got to shell out some cash for some 3D Tech.
    Reply
  • the_krasno
    3D is over hyped in my opinion, it will be some more time before games can correctly exploit it.
    Reply
  • falchard
    Everytime nVidia pushes out a proprietary format they shoot themselves in the foot. They just can't make it marketable with such a low market share. You need something like Microsofts 90% market share to think about making a closed standard.
    Anyone notice the bevel on the Samsung model. That beautiful for multi-monitor.
    Reply
  • Scanlia
    Great comprehensive review! Loved it.
    Reply
  • alyoshka
    Nice one, and really long awaited.
    Reply
  • i tried Tridef in EVE online, absolutely stunning. :)
    Reply
  • SteelCity1981
    During preliminary testing, we noticed that a decent Phenom II X4 had some trouble providing smooth frame rates, and mid-level graphics cards were cut down to their knees

    Time for Bulldozer!!!
    Reply
  • assassin123
    i loved it great review keep it up
    Reply
  • RazberyBandit
    Would it kill Tom's to use high-resolution pop-up pics? It's nearly impossible to discern any differences in detail or artifacts when comparing such low-resolution images. C'mon...1024 x 317? Seriously?
    Reply