Graphic card for CAD

[Cooper]

I'm looking to build budget system for learning 3Ds Max and Blender.
For now I have options for new NVidia 9500GT 512 GDDR3, Radeon HD4670 512/1024 GDDR3 and used Quadro FX 570 256 GDDR2.
Software in use is 3Ds Max 2009, Blender 2.48, Win XP 64bit.

Will the proper Quadro FX card would be more reliable and precise ?

[Griff805]

I'm looking to build budget system for learning 3Ds Max and Blender.
For now I have options for new NVidia 9500GT 512 GDDR3, Radeon HD4670 512/1024 GDDR3 and used Quadro FX 570 256 GDDR2.
Software in use is 3Ds Max 2009, Blender 2.48, Win XP 64bit.

Will the proper Quadro FX card would be more reliable and precise ?

You'll want to confirm whether 3DS Max and Blender use DirectX or OpenGL. DirectX, then you'll want to go with the faster of the 9500GT or HD4670.

If it's OpenGL, then you'll want to go for the Quadro.

[B.E.E.F.]

FireGL driver mod. SoftQuadro if that's still around.

[Cooper]

There are no mods for 64bit OS nor Im willing to go that way anyway.

[perkam]

No need to buy expensive Quadro or cheap consumer gfx.

The new ATI Firepro V3750 is a professional workstation graphics card and it can be bought at $159: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195077&Tpk=v3750

(Sorry if I sound like an ATI rep with this, but even entry level workstation cards used to cost $400-$500 2-3 years ago)

Also, if you believe that the 4xxx series cards and the Firepro cards are the same, that is a myth. Here is the same V3750 which has 4670 specs against a 4850: (the V3750 is on the right)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y99mD_A1uug&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fireuser.com%2F&feature=player_embedded

Perkam

[Griff805]

I looked around and found that 3DS runs on DirectX and Blender runs on OpenGL... going to be hard to find a single card solution that is best for both. perkam's suggestion is probably best in this case.

[Cooper]

That's very impressive example Perkam. Cheers :)
I asked around and 3ds max users tend to suggest the quadro card cos of proper driver support.
BTW that quadro im aiming at is used and costs the same as both gaming cards mentioned.

[Griff805]

Don't know if you guys have seen this:

http://www.mcadforums.com/forums/files/autodesk_inventor_opengl_to_directx_evolution.pdf

[B.E.E.F.]

Also, if you believe that the 4xxx series cards and the Firepro cards are the same, that is a myth. Here is the same V3750 which has 4670 specs against a 4850: (the V3750 is on the right)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y99mD_A1uug&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fireuser.com%2F&feature=player_embedded

Perkam

I'd like to see both of those cards use the same FireGL driver.

[perkam]

I'd like to see both of those cards use the same FireGL driver.The FireGL driver is the added value.

Working countless hours optimizing 3d and 2d applications and working with the developers themselves is what goes into the added cost of the FireGl driver/bios and thus into the card.

Perkam

[Boogerlad]

the only difference between firegl and normal cards is the bios/drivers. I'm sure if you flash it or mod the strings of the .ini file, you'll get a full fledged firegl card from somethign like a 4850. Never tested it though, because i can't find the v7770 bios file.

[Cooper]

Doubt direct flash is doable. Software mods are difficult to implement and they work with XP 32bit only AFAIK.
In my case 4850 is twice the price anyway. From what i heard Maxtreme driver gives good boost for performance.

[B.E.E.F.]

Working countless hours optimizing 3d and 2d applications and working with the developers themselves is what goes into the added cost of the FireGl driver/bios and thus into the card.

Perkam

Most definitely. But for an amateur, the cost is not justified to use a FireGL card.

That's a good price for a FireGL though.

[ToTTenTranz]

No need to buy expensive Quadro or cheap consumer gfx.

The new ATI Firepro V3750 is a professional workstation graphics card and it can be bought at $159: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195077&Tpk=v3750

(Sorry if I sound like an ATI rep with this, but even entry level workstation cards used to cost $400-$500 2-3 years ago)

Also, if you believe that the 4xxx series cards and the Firepro cards are the same, that is a myth. Here is the same V3750 which has 4670 specs against a 4850: (the V3750 is on the right)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y99mD_A1uug&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fireuser.com%2F&feature=player_embedded

Perkam



That's a RV730 with a 64bit memory bus -> auch..
I don't know how important the memory bandwidth is while dealing with CAD, but for gaming that would be really tight..

edit: fixed


Not Perkam

[Bobsama]

That's a RV730 with a 64bit memory bus -> auch..
I don't know how important the memory bandwidth is while dealing with CAD, but for gaming that would be really tight..

Fixed. Same core as the HD4650/4670.

[zanzabar]

Doubt direct flash is doable. Software mods are difficult to implement and they work with XP 32bit only AFAIK.
In my case 4850 is twice the price anyway. From what i heard Maxtreme driver gives good boost for performance.

the bios are directly flash able on the non displayport fireGL cards, but u just have to flash the device ID in the bios of the radion to the equivalent GL and it gives a huge boost atleast with the 3870 in workstation stuff (i use solid works) but the stock radion still works were gforce will not

ether go with the rv730 workstation or a 4870 1GB and flash the ID to a v8700

[Griff805]

I've got a new V8700 on the way. I'm wanting to put to rest the whole question of whether or not it's worth the cost for what I do. Also, the 4870X2 just isn't quick enough for me nor are the drivers stable enough. I'll put up an amateur review of the V8700 and 4870X2 and 4850 for reference. That is, if I have time before my next project comes in.