EMBM question

[Zed808]

Hi,

I am currently choosing between a GF3 card and a Radeon 8500. Now i know that the 8500 will let me switch on EMBM in my games but will the GF3 also let me do this? I know that GF3 supports some very advanced BMing modes (most of which are not currently used), but will it do this type? Has anyone experience of this?

Thanks

Z

 

[Rand]

Both the ATi Radeon 8500 and GeForce 3 support Environmental Bump Mapping, the GF3 is nVidia's first card to support EMBM... though even now with the GF3 supporting it nVidia has made it quite clear many a time that they don't believe EMBM to be the best method.

 

[Zed808]

Thanks for the reply....thats the first straight answer i've had. Can i ask if anyone has had experience of this and how good it is?


Thanks again

Z

 

[Vortex22]

EMBM looks really nice / is very fast on my 8500.

I can't say anything about the GF3 because I don't know

 

[Soccerman]

I've seen it run on a GF3, and I don't see problems with it..

nVidia and ATi also support Dot3, which I think is what you're refferring to by 'more advanced.'

 

[Rand]

<< Thanks for the reply....thats the first straight answer i've had. Can i ask if anyone has had experience of this and how good it is?


Thanks again

Z >>



Properly implemented in can look damn nice with a minimal performance impact. it's usefullnwss isnt very large though, and I don't think it's appropriate for very many situations you'll come across in games.

Given how very few games actually use EMBM to any real extent I wouldnt be too worried about support for it though.
I'd prefer Dot3 bumpmapping support over EMBM, which again both the R8500 and GF3 will support.