2D And 3D CAD Performance
2D And 3D AutoCAD
Even simple consumer graphics cards hold their own, since Autodesk switched its entire suite to DirectX. We compare the 2D performance, which is similar across the board, and 3D performance, where Nvidia's graphics cards seem to hold the advantage. Overall, the results for the GeForce GTX 960 are acceptable to good.
Autodesk Fusion 2013
We’re completing a different task, but still using DirectX. The tables turn though, and the AMD graphics cards emerge as the victors. The reason is the difference in workloads compared to AutoCAD, with the present ones placing a higher demand on the graphics cards’ memory bus.
Autodesk Maya 2013
We’re exclusively using OpenGL and a complex model for our Maya 2013 rendering benchmark to show the difference to DirectX. In this scenario, the GeForce GTX 960 graphics cards have a clear advantage.
SPECViewperf 12
Since most applications in this suite are completely irrelevant for potential GeForce GTX 960 buyers, we decided to limit this test to more common applications. The results for Showcase 2013 look similar to those for Autodesk Fusion 2013, which is to say that AMD's graphics cards enjoy a decent lead. Showcase 2013 also uses DirectX.
Catia also puts AMD in front, either because of or in spite of OpenGL. These benchmarks make one thing abundantly clear yet again: the green or red win depends largely on driver optimization. This makes it hard to provide a true performance judgment.
In the end, these benchmarks serve as an always-welcome reminder the graphics cards stand and fall with their drivers.
