3D Graphics Cards: Are they worth it?


I have recently "seen the light" when it comes to 3D graphics cards. As many of you know, 3D graphics cards were an emerging trend in computer gaming last year, and the trend is continuing into this year, with the next generation of high quality 3D graphics cards. I myself have put off buying one of these things, with a 200 dollar price tag, and now I wonder if I'm going to buy one at all.

Of course, I most likely will eventually, just because they're so cool. And I guess that's exactly what is wrong with the whole idea of 3D graphics cards. In case you don't know, certain computer games, when played with these special cards, add special effects, such as transparency, alpha blending, MIP mapping, and others. What results is a prettier game: effects such as lens flare, and bigger, better explosions, to name a few.

However, the question I am asking is: does prettier necessarily mean better? Is the game any better because your explosion is bigger than the non-accelerated version of the game? Does the 3d graphics card improve the gameplay in the game? Or are 3D graphics cards nothing more than expensive pieces of hardware solely for generating "eye candy".

These days, I'm my opinion is leaning towards the latter explanation: Unless a game does not run without a 3D graphics card, it's hard to justify a purchase of one of these things by saying "it will make the game prettier", when, at the same time, the gameplay itself is unchanged.

Quake 2, for instance, looks really cool with a 3D card -- much more detail, a higher resolution, and nifty special effects such as colored lighting. However, I've found that the frame rate is actually slower with a 3D graphics card. In fast-paced games like Quake 2, all the neat special effects won't help one bit when a rocket is flying in your direction.

However, I'm probably making a moot argument, because the 3D industry is flying ahead with our without my support. Of course, I shouldn't stop you from buying a 3D graphics card -- myself, I'm planning on getting a card with the Voodoo 2 chipset in the next few months. In the near future, I predict, games will require 3D acceleration, which is when buying 3D graphics card will finally be justified.
The copyright of the article 3D Graphics Cards: Are they worth it? in Computer Gaming is owned by Dan Finkelstein. Permission to republish 3D Graphics Cards: Are they worth it? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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