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Pro Graphics: Seven Cards Compared

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Test Configuration

We tested 9 AMD FireGL series cards and 9 models from the Quadro FX series. Tom’s Hardware provides benchmark test results for the following models :

ATINvidia
AMD FireGL V8650Nvidia Quadro FX 5600
AMD FireGL V7700Nvidia Quadro FX 4600
AMD FireGL V7600Nvidia Quadro FX 1700
AMD FireGL V7300Nvidia Quadro FX 5500
AMD FireGL V7200Nvidia Quadro FX 4500
AMD FireGL V7100Nvidia Quadro FX 3500
AMD FireGL V5600Nvidia Quadro FX 570
AMD FireGL V5200Nvidia Quadro FX 370
AMD FireGL V3600Nvidia Quadro FX 1500
CPUIntel Core 2 Extreme QX6800 (2.93 GHz)
MotherboardAsus P5W64 WS Pro (rev 1.01, BIOS 0802) with Intel 975X Chipset
Memory (RAM)4 GB (4 x 1 GB) Corsair XMS2-6400 (CM2X10246400-C3) with CL 4.0-4-4-12
Optical DriveSamsung SH-D163A , SATA150
Power SupplyZalman, ATX 2.01, 510 W
Hard DriveWestern Digital WD1500ADFD 150 GB
Operating SystemWindows XP Service Pack 3
3D API UpdateDirectX 9.0c
Intel-ChipsetVersion 8.3.1.1009
Drivers AMD FireGLCatalyst 8.453.1-063073
Drivers Nvidia QuadroForceware 169.61 + Maxtreme 11
SPEC Benchmarks SettingsApplication settings according to SPEC Project Group Rules, driver using application optimizations if available
SPEC Benchmarks in UseSpecViewperf 10.0SPECapc 3ds Max 9 (3D Studio Max)SPECapc Solidworks 2007SPECapc Maya 6.5
54 Comments Comment from the forums
  • zajooo 13 August 2008 15:31
    Hi guys,

    I was allways wondering, how it would look with comparison of these cards with gamers cards, wheather the gamer ones did not give us as we say "Lot of music, for a little money". Whould we get simmilar results in the field of geometry transformation, without using any alliasing a any of the really not necessary features ???

    Thanx
    Reply
  • Evendon 13 August 2008 15:47
    I would also like to know how these cards handle games. Especially im interested in how mobile versions of quodro fx work with games.
    I would also like to play with my work laptop with quodro fx-chip (fx 3600m)
    Reply
  • neiroatopelcc 13 August 2008 16:29
    I was pretty much wondering how low a geforce 8800gt or ati 4750 would stack? given the lowest prices in denmark for a v3600 or fx570 start at 1150kr and a 8800gt256 costs only 680kr (4750 @ 1070kr), they're comparable in the budget department.

    We're only doing basic grid stuff mostly at work, but we're using intel 945 chipsets with onboard graphics for that - the pentium dualcore seems to do that okay, but it isn't happy about textures at all. However for those things we use old p4's with geforce 6600gt cards - not quadro anything, and I can't help to wonder if using gamer cards is the right or wrong choice (worked great for us so far).


    ps. we use inventor, mechanical desktop and revit from autodesk (newest and second newest versions only), so only the 3dstudio results are interesting for me.
    Reply
  • venteras 13 August 2008 16:43
    Where's the Quadro FX 3700 and 4700?

    I don't see how you can do a review dated 13 August that seemingly cover all current main stream cards and not have 2 of NVidia's primary cards included?

    Was this paid for by ATI?
    Reply
  • sma8 13 August 2008 17:13
    zajoooHi guys,I was allways wondering, how it would look with comparison of these cards with gamers cards, wheather the gamer ones did not give us as we say "Lot of music, for a little money". Whould we get simmilar results in the field of geometry transformation, without using any alliasing a any of the really not necessary features ???Thanx
    Pro graphic cards are different from gamers/consumer cards. Pro graphic cards are designed to be capable of handling workstations applications such as AutoCAD or 3D Studio MAX whereas gamers/consumer cards are designed for desktop pc apps or games. You can see the differences of both cards here:
    http://www.nvidia.com/object/builtforprofessionals.html
    That's a good example how both cards work in workstation application. That's why pro graphic cards cost very expensive
    Reply
  • anonymous1000 13 August 2008 19:18
    Hello. Thank you for the interesting article. What is also interesting is the huge gap between Spec results and my day to day experiences with ATI pro cards. When the first spec results showed up, I started recommending my clients to buy FireGL 3600-8600 cards but nfortunately, they where VERY pour performers in 3DSMAX work... apart from the fact that you couldn't even use half of their strength with the first drivers, even now, comparing the FPS count on the V5600 card with that of 9600GT on 3DSMAX shows it is much more comfortable to work with the latest.. If you want to move a large project on your viewport it moves allot faster if you have a 9600GT card installed. THIS is a benchmark I would like to see here because IT REALLY MATTERS to animators. Thank you
    Reply
  • hixbot 13 August 2008 19:19
    nobofy?
    Reply
  • bydesign 13 August 2008 19:51
    sma8Pro graphic cardshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_processing_unit are different from gamers/consumer cards. Pro graphic cards are designed to be capable of handling workstations applications such as AutoCAD or 3D Studio MAX whereas gamers/consumer cards are designed for desktop pc apps or games. You can see the differences of both cards here:http://www.nvidia.com/object/built onals.htmlThat's a good example how both cards work in workstation application. That's why pro graphic cards cost very expensive
    Not true I can flash the bios on my 8800 GTX and it will run just like it's workstation cousin. They are using the same hardware but handicapping the consumer card.
    Reply
  • theLaminator 13 August 2008 20:21
    Wish this article had been published about three days ago, it would've made my decision on which new laptop to get for school (i'm an engineering major, so i actually will use this). I finally decided on an HP with with the FireGL v5600, looks like a made the right choice based on these benchmarks. Guess we'll see when I actually get it and try it in application.
    Reply
  • 13 August 2008 21:08
    "I would also like to know how these cards handle games. Especially im interested in how mobile versions of quodro fx work with games.
    I would also like to play with my work laptop with quodro fx-chip (fx 3600m)"

    I also have a Quadro 3600M in my laptop. In 3dMark06, I get a score of 8800. COD4 and UT3 run smoothly with all settings maxed out at 1900x1200. Quadro cards are as good or better at gaming as their Geforce equivalents.
    Reply