Keeping your PC's hardware on the bleeding edge of technology is expensive and confusing.| Choosing a 3D card isn't easy. Your choice will depend on many factors, not the least of which is deciding which games you want to play. |
It seems as if every year there's a new piece of hardware that becomes a necessity if you want to get the most out of the latest games.
This year that new hardware is the 3D card. If you don't have 3D hardware in your PC yet, you're not seeing many of the newest games in all their glory. Choosing a 3D card isn't easy. Your choice will depend on many factors, not the least of which is deciding which games you want to play. But with all the 3D cards out there, and the confusion regarding different kinds of 3D software support - such as Direct3D, Glide, and OpenGL - how do you make the jump into the world of 3D without buying the wrong equipment?
Well, this article will help you figure it all out. This is not another article explaining arcane 3D terms; that's been done already. Instead, let's take a look at 3D cards from the perspective of the puzzled buyer. As I can attest from the volume of e-mail CGW and GameSpot get on the subject, choosing the right card for your needs is a tough challenge. Read on and you'll find out why you want a 3D card and what you should look for to make certain that the hardware you buy supports your favorite games.
