Nvidia Quadro FX 1800 vs GeForce GTX480

[rikishi19]

Which of these graphics cards would be the better to get for mainly 3D graphics work/drafting using AutoCAD/SketchUp/Cinema4D?

I'm aware the Quadro's are aimed at these type of applications, but the specs are so much lower, as this is only the mid-range Quadro card compared to high end GeForce. These are the two that are similar price and anything beyond the 1800 is way out of my price range, which is the reasoning to compare these two.

I'd also like to do minor gaming also, just to keep in mind.

Cheers

 

[hunter315]

Go for the GTX 480, while its drivers arent optimized for workstation stuff, its got so much extra power behind it it should easily overcome that. The FX 1800 is based off the older G94 core at 65nm and has far fewer cores than the GTX 480.

 

[Dane Bouwer]

FX1800-PCIE-PB
Interface
Interface PCI Express 2.0 x16
Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer NVIDIA
GPU Quadro FX 1800
Stream Processors 64
Memory
Memory Size 768MB
Memory Interface 192-bit
Memory Type GDDR3
3D API
DirectX DirectX 10
OpenGL OpenGL 3.0
Ports
DisplayPort 2
DVI 1
Spec
Digital Resolution 2560 x 1600
Dual-Link DVI Supported Yes
Operating Systems Supported Windows 7 (64-bit and 32-bit), Windows Vista (64-bit and 32-bit), Windows XP (64-bit and 32-bit) and Windows 2000
Linux (64-bit and 32-bit)
Solaris


GTX 480:
Interface
Interface PCI Express 2.0 x16
Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer NVIDIA
GPU GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi)
Stream Processors 480 Processor Cores
Memory
Memory Size 1536MB
Memory Interface 384-bit
Memory Type GDDR5
3D API
DirectX DirectX 11
OpenGL OpenGL 3.2
Ports
HDMI 1 x mini HDMI
DVI 2 x DVI
General
SLI Support 3-Way SLI
Cooler With Fan
System Requirements TDP: 295W
Dual-Link DVI Supported Yes
HDCP Ready Yes
Features
Features Support PhysX technology effects for realist physics effect.
Support 3DVision Surround technology to provide 3 monitor output simultaneously and real 3D image experience. (Need to work with 3D monitor and 3D glass.)



hands down choose the GTX 480, more stream processors, Direct X11 instead of Direct X10, GDDR5 instead of GDDR3, with larger memory size and interface.

Don't even think about it, GTX 480 by far

Dane

 

[mrmotion]

We tried this a while ago with a quadro and geforce just running solid works. Coming from experience, the drivers make a difference. I dont know why. All i know is when we went from the geforce to the quadro it was night and day.

 

[doped]

go for quadro. optimized drivers will give you better performance i believe, and you get official support for solaris, linux and windows. plus it has displayport for your graphical monster of a display.

 

[jay2tall]

There is no substitution for a workstation card. The Geforce is not intended for the functions that a Quadro is used for. The drivers are much more optimizes. I would highly encourage you to look at the ATI V5800 if you are looking at the Quadro FX 1800.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195097&Tpk=v5800
http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=909&type=expert&pid=1

 

[killerchickens]

You should probably go with the workstation card.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/quadro-fx-4800,2258-10.html

 

[rikishi19]

So you guys reckon the much lower spec Quadro will still perform better than the 480? Just from optimized drivers?

 

[Emperus]

I too believe you should get a workstation video card.. However, i'd recommend the ATI FirePro V4800.. Its very decently priced and will perform better compared to the FX1800.. However, you do include minor gaming needs.. On that account, i'd recommend the GTX 460 768 MB..

 

[rikishi19]

I would just like to add that I live in New Zealand and we aren't blessed with such a great range of availability here. The FX1800 is the only workstation card available in my price range here, so it is a straight shot between the FX1800 and 480.

 

[nforce4max]

The difference outside specs comes down to a 64KB iso image and scripted drivers. The same applies to ATI.

 

[Emperus]

I would just like to add that I live in New Zealand and we aren't blessed with such a great range of availability here. The FX1800 is the only workstation card available in my price range here, so it is a straight shot between the FX1800 and 480.

Its a straight decision in that case.. The Quadro card is not fit for gaming by any means.. However, the GTX 480 would also be an overkill considering your usage scenario.. I guess the GTX 460 fits your needs perfectly..

 

[rikishi19]

I'm not a huge gamer, the only games I run are Football Manager (which has no real need for a decent GPU at all), but I am planning on getting Mafia 2 when this comes out as the original is my fav. game from the past.

I'm thinking right now the gtx will be my best route for now. I am early on in my Graphics career and may decide to get a totally seperate system specifically for my Graphics work later down the line, once I become more of a pro with greater needs for a high-end workstation card.

This seems the best solution to me right now. Any opinions?

 

[pcww]

check out this article

http://www.cgarchitect.com/news/newsfeed.asp?nid=4960

 

[rikishi19]

Wow, cheers for that article. based on that then it is a no brainer to go for the 480 then. It is regularly at near/at the top, only bested by the 1800 a few times and not by a whole lot. Considering getting the 1800 will wipe out my gaming capabilities, it seems the 480 it is!

 

[rikishi19]

I would just like to add to any people coming across this thread, looking for similar advice... Stay away from ATI's latest HD5xxx series cards if you are planning on using 3D applications, especially SketchUp, I have a HD5970 which I am sending back for what now seems the 480 as I had huge problems with SketchUp. After many back and forth emails with ATI they finally admitted that the card will not work with SketchUp.

So stay away!!

 

[rikishi19]

Best answer selected by rikishi19.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey