No it's not wothwhile for any 3D app. It might be just little things, like Cinema4D has an enhanced opengl option in their latest version. This mode shows lights and so on in a very nice way, but to get all the options working you need the right type of card. Mine doesn't show realtime shadows for instance. As Marc mentioned it's mainly the kind of support you get. But even in case of support I doubt if that's worth it. I mean the amount of money you pay for such a card might compare to just buying a cheaper new one in case your card breaks. I think it's the same as with processors; the highest level costs a lot of money compared to the little performance increase you get. I always stick to the second level, and save my money to upgrade after a few years, again to the second level at that moment.
> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Mark Heuymans > Sent: donderdag 3 mei 2007 14:30 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: Graphics cards > > > Hi Marc, > > So, we can conclude that it isn't worthwhile to get a professional > workstation card specifically for RS3d... > It isn't on the certified software lists - correct me if I'm wrong - it's > always 3dsmax, Maya, and the other big boys :( > On the plus side: we don't have to spend many $$$ on this. > > thanks for the info, > Mark H > > > > Hello Mark, > > > > on Saturday, 28. April 2007, 16:12:23, you wrote: > > > >> Would it be worthwhile to get a workstation card like a Quadro? Anyone > >> running RS on a card like that? > > > > A more serious, german, general computer mag called c't have tested > > the gaming cards against the special OpenGL cards. Their graphicans > > use Cinema4D for the illustrations of the articles. The conclusion > > was, that the hardware itself is more or less the same. The only > > difference is the amount of memory. Special OpenGL cards are sold with > > more memory on board. But the GPU is the same. The main difference is > > the driver. It provides more features and unlocks special features, > > which provide a faster OpenGL rendering. But the speed advantage is > > not that much. The most benefit you get from a special OpenGL card is > > the service you get. You get a guarantee that a specific software will > > work without problems with the card and when the card breaks you will > > get a new card as fast as possible. Very important in a production > > environment where time is money. When you take a look on the website > > of this special OpenGL cards you'll find a compatibily list of > > software products which are tested and signed to work with this card. > > > > They've also wrote, that most of the special OpenGL cards are sold > > with more noisy fans than the gaming cards, which are often assembled > > by third party manufactures. > > > > -- > > Best wishes, Marc > > > > > >
