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    Gaming Video Cards vs. CAD Optimized Video Cards

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by nexentt, May 9, 2009.

  1. nexentt

    nexentt Notebook Enthusiast

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    I need to buy a laptop in the next few months mainly for use with programs like Solidworks and 3D rendering software like Bunkspeed Hypershot.

    I understand there are laptops featuring CAD-oriented video cards (Quadros/FireGLs), such as the Dell Latitude/Precisions and Thinkpad W-Series, but I know I have a lot more selection for laptops with gaming-oriented video cards.

    I was hoping to gain a better idea of what the difference between these two types of video card might be. If I went for a laptop with a gaming video card instead of a CAD video card, would I see a significant decrease in performance? I'm not planning on doing much gaming, I'm mainly interested in its ability to do 3D CAD work.

    Thanks!
     
    nexentt, May 9, 2009
    #1
  2. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    if you want to do 3D work in OpenGL programs, you will get more from a pro graphics card like a Nvidia Quadro or ATI FireGL

    programs like SolidWorks, Maya, etc.. will recommend and unlock all features if you use a pro graphics card that are OpenGL optimized.

    Although you should know that there is little to no difference in performance from low-end to mid-range pro graphics (Quadro/FireGL) and consumer level cards (Geforce/Radeon)... you will notice the prices are about the same...
    Example:
    - Nvidia 9600M GT = Quadro 770M (both are 128-bit memory interface).

    The big difference will be notice when you move to a high-end (256-bit) pro graphics card / consumer level card.
    ... like a Quadro 2700M / 3700M.

    a high-end pro graphics card will be very pricey since its the best for any notebook and for top performance at high-resolutions.

    Fact: a current high-end (256-bit) card will outperform a mid-range (128-bit) card by over two times.
     
    Gophn, May 9, 2009
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  3. nexentt

    nexentt Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the quick response, appreciate it.

    Hm, what's the difference between bits and MB's in regards to video cards? For example, a 256-bit video card and a card with 256MB of ram?

    And just as an example between two models I'm comparing: the ATI Mobility FireGL V5700 out of a Thinkpad W500 vs. a ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB out of a Thinkpad T400. I'm expecting the W500 will be quite a bit faster, but would the T400's video card with a pretty quick processor be able to handle Solidworks/Maya without too much trouble?
     
    nexentt, May 9, 2009
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  4. zakaluka

    zakaluka Notebook Consultant

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    The bits refers to how fast the card can read data from memory.

    The MBs refer to how much video RAM the GPU has, i.e. how much data the video card can hold in memory at one time.

    In both cases, more is better.

    Regards,

    z.
     
    zakaluka, May 9, 2009
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  5. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    what zakaluka said.

    but let me add something.

    the amount video memory is not as important as the GPU (memory interface).

    anything above 512MB is just for show... and becomes a gimmick.
     
    Gophn, May 9, 2009
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  6. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    whats your budget?

    can you quickly fill out the FAQ please. :)
     
    Gophn, May 9, 2009
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  7. stevezachtech

    stevezachtech Notebook Evangelist

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    Also, IMO, I will never recommend going beyond an entry level GPU(mid range GPU should be the max if you really want to push it) when it comes to mobile computing. These devices are just not meant to process all the heat that comes from high end GPU. Just think about it, if a high end GPU needs a ton of cooling pieces if placed on a full tower desktop, how much cooling would it need on a cramped form factor like a mobile computer? Do some research on Alienwares and it shouldn't be hard to find out how many mainboards and GPUs get fried after a couple of months.
     
    stevezachtech, May 9, 2009
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  8. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    gaming gpu's will perform better in games.
     
    Luke1708, May 9, 2009
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  9. nexentt

    nexentt Notebook Enthusiast

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    Here's the filled out FAQ. Thanks everybody for the advice so far.

    But can I just go back to my main question a bit? I'm mainly looking to get a better idea of how a video game graphics card will match up against a CAD graphics card in terms of doing CAD work. Will it be able to hold its own, or will it be such a difference that I should go for a CAD graphics card?

    And yeah, you can use my realistic example from a Thinkpad W500's ATI Mobility FireGL V5700 vs. a Thinkpad T400's ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB. Would the T400 with a good processor be able to handle some basic/moderate CAD work?
     
    nexentt, May 9, 2009
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  10. Ovrclck350

    Ovrclck350 Notebook Consultant

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    I had a 3450 and it worked just fine for moderate work.
     
    Ovrclck350, May 9, 2009
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  11. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    the FireGL V5700 will probably the better choice of the two since it performs pretty well as a mid-range card.

    the ATI 3470 is a low-end card.

    the difference between the two will be very noticeable.
     
    Gophn, May 9, 2009
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  12. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    But it is bad for gaming. It will become obsolete in a few months.
     
    Luke1708, May 9, 2009
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  13. nexentt

    nexentt Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah, I'm not planning using this laptop for gaming whatsoever. I'm mainly interested in how it'll manage itself with some moderate CAD work.

    Hmm, well I guess this was expected. If I had a system with the ATI 3460, A T9400 processor, and 4 GB or ram - any idea if this would be able to run Solidworks and rendering programs reasonably well? I guess as long as it's not painfully slow and cumbersome, it would fit my needs. I'm getting a feeling that the FireGL V5700 may be more than I actually need to study engineering/industrial design in university.
     
    nexentt, May 9, 2009
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  14. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    when rendering, the CPU is usually the most important.

    but in SolidWorks, the videocard is needed to unlock certain features for real time rendering.

    the ATI 34xx should do fine for wireframe and low texture design.
     
    Gophn, May 9, 2009
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  15. Nirvana

    Nirvana Notebook Prophet

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    Called real-view. :D
     
    Nirvana, May 9, 2009
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