Quadro vs GTX Graphics Card for Workstation?

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XxProdigyxX

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My dad asked me to build a workstation computer for him. He runs programs such as AutoCAD, Solidworks, and HFSS for his engineering work (possibly other programs too, I'm not sure). I've never built a workstation computer before, only gaming computers so I'm not too sure what I'm doing here. The part that I'm stumped on the most is the graphics card. I honestly don't know anything about professional graphics cards for workstations such as the quadro cards so my question is should I get him a quadro K1200, K2000, or K2200 card (not sure on the differences or which is better) or should I just get him a GTX 970 or 980 card? He doesn't play games or anything. He's just using it for his engineering work programs.

Thank you.
 
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I haven't seen the benchmarks on the new GTX Pascal series. From my research, Quadro is the way to go for SolidWorks, but the GTX-series of cards will outperform Quadro and most other 'workstation' cards for AutoCAD 2D & 3D, for significantly less money, too.

The i7-5820K is the most cost-effective CPU currently available (no CPU that outperforms it is less expensive, and they all have a lower PassMark/Price ratio).

I have 16 GB in my system and run out on complex renders, so 32 or 64 would be a good choice.

Look into an M.2 card (and a motherboard that supports it) instead of an SSD; you'll get much...
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Hamperking68

Hamperking68

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Hi, Quadro's are designed for the workstation type programs you mentioned whereas the GeForce range is designed for gaming application.

The Quadro K2200 Is the best card. How ever RAM is just as important if not more important as a complex engineering project can hold thousands of parts. I would recommend 32gb of RAM. or at minimum 24gb it's also important that the processor meets the requirements for this type of application which pretty much rules out anything in the I3 range or AMD equivalent. The website for most workstation programs will have the requirements listed.
 
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PhiNix

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Nvidia K series for workstation (CAD, photoshop, etc) GTX GT series etc for gaming.

K series have a much more accurate floating point precision which is what you need for graphics design
aka it has more accurate image reconstructions.
 
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XxProdigyxX

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Ok so I was thinking an i7-5820K 6 core processor (I was originally going to go with an i7-4790k but someone told me that I should go 6 cores instead of 4), either 16gb or 32gb of RAM, and a Quadro K2200? Does this sound okay?
 
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Justin Millard

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R9 390 would be much more powerful than Quadro K2200. That Quadro is the professional version of the 750Ti. Its for small quiet 2D autocad workloads. The extra VRAM and power of the R9 390 would be worth it. It can even keep up with the K5200 in autocad.

As far as RAM check with your dad to see how much RAM he uses on a big project. Would probably be best to get 4x8GB 32GB RAM for bigger HFSS workloads, but maybe he never even uses all 16GB for his work. May as well check.

i7 5820K would be great. They overclock up to 4GHz very easily as well if he needs more performance.
You could even go up to 4.2GHz without stressing it.

Keep in mind a new i7 6 core will launch in the next month called the i7 6820K, but if you need a system right now the performance difference will be very small.

Come to think of it new graphics cards are launching next month too, but again if you need it now don't worry about waiting.

Good luck!
 
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PhiNix

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I'd probs wait for the new CPU and graphics card.
Nvidia releasing new 14nm pascal series which are supposedly 40% better then the 900 series due to their HBM stacks
and then yeah the new K and X series from intel comin out.

This year is a big release year coinciding with VR so id probs wait.
All the prices of currrent ones will go down substantially.
 
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bicycle_repair_man

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The performance difference between Quadro and GeForce cards lie in the driver. There's a reason why Quadro cards are expensive, even with their seemingly low specs.

Considering the software that your Dad will be using, a Quadro card is the way to go. The GeForce series may look better on paper, but don't be fooled.
 
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Justin Millard

Justin Millard

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Just check that nothing he does requires double precision. Likely that it won't be needed, but Maxwell architecture is infamous for lowering double precision perfomance to focus on getting performance to the more mainstream single and half precision computing.

Drivers are crazy expensive to write for less popular cards, but as an example, bicycle_repair_man would you take a k2200 over a GTX 980 or 780 if your focus was entirely on workbench performance?

This topic has a similar question: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3037123/gtx-980-leadtek-quadro-nvs-810-4gb-rendering.html

Edit: Some engineering samples of i7 6800K series have been leaked. Seems it will perform 10% better than i7 5800K series when at the same clock speed. 4.2GHz is still achievable on both with an overclock, but its yet to be seen how durable this new thinner design will be.

Will be in stores next month.
 
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XxProdigyxX

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Ummm so I'm confused. Do I still go for a quadro K2200 or should I just go with the new GTX pascal cards coming out next month? I didn't know the new CPU and GPU's come out next month. My dad isn't in a rush to get this workstation so waiting a month or 2 for the new CPU and GPU is fine. In the mean time, I'm just trying to figure out what I'm throwing together for him. It seems like the more I research, the more confused I get lol
 
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bicycle_repair_man

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If CAD was a hobby then probably not, but if it was my job, then absolutely yes.
 
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Jeffin90620

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I haven't seen the benchmarks on the new GTX Pascal series. From my research, Quadro is the way to go for SolidWorks, but the GTX-series of cards will outperform Quadro and most other 'workstation' cards for AutoCAD 2D & 3D, for significantly less money, too.

The i7-5820K is the most cost-effective CPU currently available (no CPU that outperforms it is less expensive, and they all have a lower PassMark/Price ratio).

I have 16 GB in my system and run out on complex renders, so 32 or 64 would be a good choice.

Look into an M.2 card (and a motherboard that supports it) instead of an SSD; you'll get much faster response for only a bit more money.


Jeff


 
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