DirectX Vs OpenGL

Hi!

I wanted to know what 3d modeling programs are based on directX and can well run on directX cards like a geforce...

and which ones are openGL based and require a quadro card for good performance?

Do openGL cards have any kind of performance advantage while running directX based programs?

Thanks!

 

A geforce card runs OpenGL, I believe.
OK, here's how it is. OpenGL is better then DirectX, but DirectX is the standard for gaming.

 

um.. there are about 4-500 3d modeling programs... so, which ones do you want to know about?

they pretty much all run on openGL... because it is far superior in every way

stupid microsoft controls the computer industry (hardware and software).. and they made dx, so unfortunately it's not going anywhere.

 

I think it depends on your OS, or am I wrong? Some OS's have better support for one than the other. I belive that Vista SP1 gave vista better OpenGL support (or maybe DX, I don't really remember).

 

Sweet, ignorant fanboys, just the thing we needed.




Perhaps one of you can explain how OpenGL is better? No, I thought not. It isn't.
There are some minor differences between OpenGL and DirectX, yes. Some of them slightly favor DirectX, others OpenGL. There is no overall "better".

And an ordinary GPU is perfectly capable at running both DirectX and OpenGL.
Quaddro cards at not "faster" at OpenGL.

 

I just wanted to know about some of the popular ones... maya, 3ds max, solidworks, rhino or any other if you know that are used for modeling transport- cars, bikes, boats etc...

I'm pretty sure quadro cards are much better than geforce for openGL apps... was just wondering if they could keep up with the geforce type on the directX based programs.

AND if it was worth spending extra on the quadro card... If they are similar, what's the difference between say an inspiron and a precision?

 

I'd get the geforce.

 

Of the ones you've listed only 3DSMax has a DX as a native option (option for either or), there are hack wraps for Maya and Solidworks (not sure about Rhino, just played with it [and the Penguin add-on] a bit) but they are primarily OpenGL.

And the debate about OpenGL vs DX will rage on depending on how the user wishes their app to work. OpenGL is more flexible, but M$ has spent alot of time and money to make DX easier for some.

The main difference is for drivers, what makes the Quadros better than the Geforces at professional apps is the drivers that run on them. Those optimized drivers can make a huge difference. If you look at this review you can see the difference the drivers make for a weaker Quadro G70 core pummeling the GTS in only the workstation situations;
http://www.hothardware.com/articles/ATI_FireGL_V7600_512_MB_Workstation_Graphics_Card/?page=5

Now if you weren't married to the Geforce/Quadro combo, you could fairly easily softmod either an HD2600 or HD2900 to get the best of both worlds.

For the Geforce/Quadro decision, as you can see it really depends on your focus, and whether games or modeling matters most to you.

Remember though that this is displayport acceleration only, it does not affect/improve render times unless you use an app that uses GPGPU acceleration like Gelato.

 

Thanks a lot Grape! Jeez... that's almost scary! that a lesser core can maul an 8800 like that! lol... and the ATI looks fantastic too! But I really haven't seen any notebook fireGL cards... can you just mention the good ones?
or are the quadro mobile versions better?
Thanks a ton man!

 

For notebooks, there's only one option (well two if you discern between regular and XT), there's the HD2600->FireGL3600 and 2600XT->FieGL5600. The HD2900GT is the one in the review as a FireGL7600 and then the HD2900XT and Pro are the FireGL8650 and 8600 respectively.

Both are good at what they do, and the FireGLs are now arguably better due to their very high vertex power. nV has more workstation specific features in their driver set with support for 32XAA and nice tweaks, these bring them in line as solutions IMO with both performing better in one app or another.

Here's a detailed description of the Mod.
http://www.techenclave.com/graphic-...pecviewperf-benchmarks-techenclave-98640.html

If you use things liek Gelato then you need a registered Quadro card, but otherwise you can get some nice boost out of a standard 'gaming card'.

There is still the option of getting the Quadros that are found in the IBM Thinkpads and HP Business notebooks as well, so those may be worth investigating since they don't cary a much different pricetag and the ones that are GF8600 based are pretty good (sometimes better than their gaming counterparts in that they get GDDR3 instead of GDDR2 on their 512MB models).

Anywhoo, I would say look at those two options because the gaming side may suffer a small bit, but not as much as the workstation side will.

 

Aah... k, then i think I should stick to the Quadro... yea the T61p is very reasonable, but apparently suffers from a poor screen... that's the only thing bothering me! but anyway, thanks a TON!

 

Well if you're Ok with 15" (which you seem to be) then how about the HP models (specifically the 8510), they have both FireGL and Quadros, and I like their screens;
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/e...owerful&psn=notebooks_tablet_pcs/notebook_pcs

You can get the either the Quadro or FireGL in an nice WUXGA screen. You need to configure it yourself to do that, but they do have both options, and are quite solid.

Also if you like all the options of the T61p instead, and only dislike the monitor, it may be worth getting a solid external LCD to expand your options a bit, also give you a tools/apps and the workspace screen, which is always handy.

Anywhoo, hope that helps, good luck I know how tough it is, thankfully I have access to the workstation stuff at work and the Uni when I need to get serious.

Also if you pay a little more the slightly more powerful 8710W's have more powerful GPUs in their GF8800M based Quadros, once again they will only accelerate the viewport, but it may be nice for you to have a full size 17" display as well.

 

Yea the hp is way more than the T61p. I guess it makes more sense to get a decent stand alone monitor as they'll work much better than the laptop screens! but do you know any 19-20 inch screens that support WUXGA?