[citation][nom]demonhorde665[/nom]Renders don NOT run on the gpu , The gpu only powers the veiw ports 3ds max (and any other 3d program worth its salt) has ALWAYS rendered off the cpu. the main reason being that the program(s) suport technologies that can't be rendered in real time such as ray tracing, or technologies that are not present in Direct 3d or open glide yet.[/citation]
Blender can currently render off the cpu or gpu. Cycles can't do everything yet, but its getting there fairly quick. I know its compatible with Nvidia cards, not sure if amd is implemented yet.