Newb trying to buy a 3D Capable Laptop

[xhonzi]

I wanted to start a new thread because I think I have some fundamental questions that a lot of other people here might already know.

By 3D capable, I mean that it can export 3D over HDMI 1.4. Framepacked @720p@60hz would be best (currently) but I would take something that does SBS@x@y as a compromise.

1. Are there any 3D drivers that work with the Intel Series of Integrated/HD Video Adapters?
1.a. If so, which intel adapters and which 3D drivers?
1.b. Do these generate framepacked or SBS?
2. What AMD video adapters work?
2.a. Do AMD video adapters come with anything other than AMD CPUs?
2.b. Can someone offer a comparison of intel processors with their AMD equivalents?
2.c. Do AMD drivers require funky drivers to work in 3D?
2.d. Framepacked or SBS?
3. Which nVidia graphics adapters support 3D
3.a. Same as above.
3.b. Do you still have to pay extra for the privilege of using nVidia with a 3DTV?

Thanks!

xhonzi
(for the record, it will be paired with an Epson 3010)

[cybereality]

Intel (and basically any AMD or Nvidia) GPUs can support frame-compatible 3D formats (side-by-side, interleaved, etc.) without much problem. However with Intel their GPUs are usually pretty weak (in comparison) so they don't run 3D games all the well. However Intel does have a brand called "InTru 3D" which basically means the chip (primarily 2nd-gen or newer CPUs with integrated graphics) can output over HDMI 1.4a. As far as I know, this is *only* for 3D Blu-Ray playback ( http://3dvision-blog.com/tag/intel-intru-3d/ ), so for gaming you are still going to want to go with Nvidia or AMD.

With AMD (on the cheap end), you may want to look at their A8 Vision APU line, as that is listed as having HD3D support (meaning HDMI 1.4a frame-packing) [ http://www.amd.com/us/products/notebook ... eam.aspx#5 ]. Though those are *not* high-end laptops, so you will still probably have trouble playing any newer games in 3D. If you want a gaming rig, look for something with an AMD 7XXXM series GPU. They mostly seem to support HD3D from what I can tell. Just go here: http://www.amd.com/us/products/notebook ... 7000m.aspx and click on a specific GPU on the left, then hit specification in the middle. It will list AMD HD3D as a feature. If you have the money, something like the HP ENVY 17-3290NR looks pretty nice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834158588 . You can also see a somewhat out-of-date list of other supports GPUs here: http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/TECHNOLO ... phics.aspx

With AMD you will have to rely on 3rd party software, but it works pretty well for the most part. So for gaming this means the DDD TriDef driver, which is nice (also cheap for AMD users). For 3D Blu-ray and videos you have lots of options, Stereoscopic Player, PowerDVD, etc. Some games have native 3D support like Deus Ex. So software is no problem.

With Nvidia they seem to have more options, but I would watch out. Officially they claim the following laptops and GPUs are supported: http://www.nvidia.com/object/3d-vision- ... ments.html . However I bought a laptop on that list (Lenovo Y570) and it does not work AT ALL in 3D. One of the problems I have is that the Optimus technology messes up the 3D compatibility so I cannot output to a 3D screen. In fact, I can't even play 2D games very well on an external screen because the Nvidia card doesn't interface with the HDMI port (WTF!!!). It only works with the integrated Intel graphics, but that is so crappy anyway you can't even play games good. So watch out! If you do want to go with Nvidia, this seems like a nice choice and I was considering buying myself: TOSHIBA Satellite P755-3DV20 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834214410 ). Otherwise you can look at the support laptop GPUs and just get a laptop up to spec but STAY AWAY from anything with integrated Intel (Optimus) as 3D doesn't work.

If you get a 3D laptop (w. a 3D screen) it should come with the software for free. If its an Nvidia laptop you should be able to use the 3DTV Play software for free. If it doesn't come with glasses (ie its just a normal laptop) then you are on your own to buy the software. Its pretty cheap though, so its not a huge deal.

If you have any specific models you are looking at please post a link and I can try to advice further.

[xhonzi]

Thanks, Cyber... That really helps. I've only started looking, but I'm currently trying to get a good feel for this one:

Toshiba L875-S7232
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite ... B0085N1D8M

Price at Amazon is currently $550, but it seems to flux every hour.
It's AMD- A8-4500M CPU and 7640G GPU.

I'm looking at the links you posted, but if there's a quick read on that laptop, I'd appreciate it.

xhonzi

[xhonzi]

I'm not too worried about brand spanking new games, as I tend to stay 6-12 months behind and pick up off of the $10 rack. I'd like to play some of my GC/Wii games in 3D via Dolphin, and stuff like that. I haven't been a PC gamer since 2002, and so all of the current trends and terms are a little lost on me. And there are a handful of games (Starcraft II, Stalker, a few others) that I'd like to catch up with.

I've picked up a laptop sized Blu-Ray burner/reader that I hope I can get working in whatever laptop I end up with. But I don't see me using it for 3D BD much, since I already have a 3D BD player.

If I went with AMD and DDD TriDef, would "all" of the 3D PC games work, or just a subset?

[cybereality]

Well the A8 is supposed to be supported, so I would assume that laptop would work. Looks like it also has an HDMI port from the picture (though the Amazon listing only says VGA). However that will barely be enough power to run any games in 3D, even slightly older ones. If you look here: http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon ... 836.0.html you can see that even at the lowest settings most games are barely above the 45FPS mark, meaning you will likely only get 20-25FPS in 3D. Barely playable.

[xhonzi]

Good point. My budget's not too stretchy past the $500-$600 range, so I'm not sure if GPS below 30 comes with that price point or not.

Any other recommendations around that price? I could maybe do $700.

Thanks again, Cyber

[xhonzi]

What about its big brother? A-10 and 7650G. The benchmarks look a bit better and it's about $100 more.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088L ... ttom_links

http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon ... 830.0.html

[xhonzi]

Crap, I hit esc twice on this stupid laptop keyboard and lost my post. Here's try #2.

I have the laptop from my last post. A10/7660G. It doesn't seem to support HD3D.

Looking at AMD's page here: http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/TECHNOLO ... ics.aspx#2

All of the mentioned video adapters are "M" variety and not "G". From what I've just read, AMD's G adapters (like the one I just bought) are integrated with the CPU and the M adapters are separate dedicated adapters. Apparently, HD3D uses both cards (the low power integrated one and the dedicated one) as part of its magic. Of course, the laptops that have M adapters are in the >$2k range... so not going to happen for me.

Back to the latop I have. I downloaded the Tridef DDD drivers and watched some 3D demo material in SBS that all looked decent. Not as good as framepacking, but pretty decent. I loaded Trine 2 and tried to use HD3D mode- it came up in 2D with no error. I switched it to SBS mode and it looked pretty good. Again, I think framepacking would have looked better. I'm trying to get a few games loaded up I can try through DDD. But that looks like the best/only option for me. But it doesn't look like the AMD version of the driver will work, since I don't have HD3D compatibility.

Or am I way off? Am I missing something?

[cybereality]

Honestly I don't know the answer myself. The companies make it very hard for consumers to figure this stuff out and most average users/reviewers are totally clueless.

[xhonzi]

Thanks for your help, Cyber. I guess I will stick with this one since the next best one is 4x as much.