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    Can I to softmod a GPU?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by skylinelks, Nov 7, 2008.

  1. skylinelks

    skylinelks Notebook Consultant

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    I have heard of that a GPU can be softmoded.
    It means a gaming GPU can use for some 3D program like CAD/Solidworks
    And can I switch it back to a gaming GPU anytime I want & Softmod the gpu when I use it for 3D drawing
    Do I need a specific GPU in order to softmod?I mean Ati mobility HD..
    Maybe I am wrong..I am not sure...
    Thanks!
     
    skylinelks, Nov 7, 2008
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  2. whizzo

    whizzo Notebook Prophet

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    the Nvidia 8-series and 9-series GPUs can run calculations over CUDA, which is used for stuff like CAD. is that what you mean?
     
    whizzo, Nov 7, 2008
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  3. Charr

    Charr Notebook Deity

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    It isn't a softmod, it is an API that allows programs to interact with GPUs to enhance performance. Nvidia's implementation is CUDA, and ATI's is FireStream.
     
    Charr, Nov 7, 2008
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  4. Apollo13

    Apollo13 100% 16:10 Screens

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    I think what skylinelks means is, is there a way to switch between a game-optimized GPU (GeForce) and CAD-optimized one (Quadro) without actually having two different CPU's? Basically using a different set of drivers or something of that sort to take advantage of both the game optimizations of GeForce and CAD optimizations of quadro with the same physical GPU.

    I think there is a way to do this, but I'm not sure what it actually is. I know you can use Quadro-optimized graphics drivers, but I don't know if this alone is enough to change much (I'm using Quadro drivers on my GeForce now and game performance is 99.7% as good as it was with GeForce drivers - I expected a more precipitous drop). You may have to change the VBIOS. Hopefully someone else here has more experience in this.

    There may be an equivalent procedure for ATI between Mobility Radeon and Mobility Fire, but I'm even less familiar with what that would be.
     
    Apollo13, Nov 8, 2008
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