Question for graphic artists...or anyone else...

[krazynutz]

I currently have an FX5900 128MB card. How much improvement would I see with textures in my Open GL viewport by going to a 256MB card? I use 3DS MAX and Maya. I've run into problems with textures needing to refresh while changing camera views or scrubbing through an animation. So will a 256MB card solve this problem or at least cause fewer headaches? In my animation scenes, I have a lot of textures, or they're high-res for closeups, which eats up a lot of video memory. I know the 256MB cards don't make a difference in games, but what about 3D apps?

<font color=blue>Asus P4P800 Deluxe, 2.6C @ 3.25Ghz, 512 MB Geil Platinum PC4000, Antec TruePower 430, Swiftech MCX4000 w/Sanyo Denki 92mm - 26 deg idle.

 

[mrface]

i believe(someone correct me if im wrong), that the only difference you can tell in 128 or 256 mb cards is AA and AF.

<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Apostalic Alcoholic.}=-</A>

 

[krazynutz]

Ahhh...phukface...we meet again...lol. I've heard that about games, but what about 3D apps? I mean, that stuff doesn't even deal with Open GL viewports. I know the games don't really stress the amount of memory needed (after 128 MB). I've read blah blah blah that people will regret getting the 128MB cards when the newer games come out with much more detailed and high-res textures blah blah blah...'sat true? If that's the case, shouldn't the 256MB card help in my case?

<font color=blue>Asus P4P800 Deluxe, 2.6C @ 3.25Ghz, 512 MB Geil Platinum PC4000, Antec TruePower 430, Swiftech MCX4000 w/Sanyo Denki 92mm - 26 deg idle.

 

[flamethrower205]

I use 3ds but still with a 64MB Quadro DCC (see, I'm more backwards than ya :tongue: ) thus I can't tell for certain. My guess would be it would help coupled with more system memory (imho, try upping the ram and see if that helps any- 512 is pretty small). Another thing u can try just for general speed is a software quadro mod to allow for nv's optimized quadro drivers on ur card + maxtreme for 3ds max (uses proc + gpu simultaneously as viewport renderer). If you're interested, let me know and also visit <A HREF="http://www.guru3d.com" target="_new">http://www.guru3d.com</A> and visit the rivatuner section.

SEX is like math. Add the bed, subtract the clothes, divide the legs, and hope you dont multiply

 

[krazynutz]

OMG - I never knew you could use quadro drivers on a GeForce card. Hmm...very interesting. Well, I used to have a 64MB card and it definitely made a difference when I went to a 128MB card. BUT, the flaw in that analysis is that I also went to 1GB of RAM as opposed to 512 at the same time. Then, when I went back to 512MB, it was an upgrade to dual channel PC4000. Thanks for the info. I'm definitely interested in that Quadro mod. (sigh...wish I could afford a 3000G - drool...) I'll check that link out and get back to ya.

<font color=blue>Asus P4P800 Deluxe, 2.6C @ 3.25Ghz, 512 MB Geil Platinum PC4000, Antec TruePower 430, Swiftech MCX4000 w/Sanyo Denki 92mm - 26 deg idle.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

<A HREF="http://www.3dchips.net/content/review.php?id=63" target="_new">This review</A>, which I have posted here a few times (which has been updated), shows that the impact is rather minimal. Look at the FireGL X1 they have both 128mb and 256mb. Regardless of your feelings of performance, it should give you insight on the impact and the value of the extra memory. The FX1000/2000/3000 all have different clocks IIRC. But for 3DSMax it does show the difference pretty well. The FireGLs see no difference between 128/256 (other than within the margin of error) and the minute difference could be attributable to the timing of the memory or the fetch caracteristics of the larger memory, but the Quadros see huge differences thanks to the differences in speeds.

<A HREF="http://www.3dchips.net/content/review.php?id=63" target="_new">http://www.3dchips.net/content/review.php?id=63</A>


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[krazynutz]

and that, as they say, is that. Thanks a lot man. Article says it all, but I was suprised about the poor quadro performance in Maya. Strange...

<font color=blue>Asus P4P800 Deluxe, 2.6C @ 3.25Ghz, 512 MB Geil Platinum PC4000, Antec TruePower 430, Swiftech MCX4000 w/Sanyo Denki 92mm - 26 deg idle.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Glad it helped, too liquid to discuss.

Softmod may stull be the way for you in the long run.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK