ATI releases new details of its 3D cards

ATI has just released details of new features for its current graphics cards, which will at last gain support for 3D games.

NVIDIA might not have the most impressive range of new graphics cards, but you have to admit that the manufacturer has made a lot of technical progress.  Apart from using the graphics card to accelerate certain tasks that would otherwise be left to a processor (GPU computing), NVIDIA also offers an immersive gaming experience with its 3D Vision system.  In reality, that means you need to plug in 3D glasses to get the same kind of 3D experience you do when you see a film like Avatar at the cinema.

ATI is still a little way behind in this area, but it seems to have finally decided to make a move.  The documents we've seen include plans for stereoscopic 3D, and though there aren't many details, but we do know a little about the glasses.

Unlike NVIDIA, ATI won't be providing its own glasses, but will instead leave the choice up to the consumer.  For the time being, two options are available, one from Bit Cauldron (which uses LCDs) and IZ3D (with polarised lenses), but other manufacturers will also release compatible products.

That said, there's still no news on dates.  No doubt we'll learn more at the CES which begins at the weekend in Las Vegas.

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