Nvidia Quadro vs AMD Firepro

All other components being equal, is there any significant difference between Nvidia Quadro 1000 2 GB and the AMD Firepro M5950 1 GB.....(no real gaming issues, these are pre-configured business grade laptop options). thank you.

 

If you will be using a lot of CS5 apps, the Quadro can make use of CUDA hardware acceleration features for Photoshop, Premiere and After Effects.

 

well the amd is more powerful, much more might I add.

 

However if the OP doesn't do gaming on it and is using ISV-based development software, the CUDA optimization on Quadros is far superior and that is a fact. FirePro's can't still touch the optimization of the Quadros when face to face with content creation software.

If the OP does game, then yes, the FirePro is the better option since gaming requires raw power on the DirectX front, which OpenGL and CUDA doesn't take advantage and therefore on that basis, the Quadros is slower on the hardware level and on DirectX rendering without CUDA advantage.

 

For a student, the Firepro should be more than enough. I wouldn't even consider the 1000M since it's more expensive. I think it should come down to the Firepro or the 2000M. The 2000M would help futureproof the laptop and provide extra battery life with Optimus, but it's quite a bit more expensive.

 

I'd take a Firepro anyday...and since the OP's son isn't going to be doing a lot of CUDA stuff much (look at Interestedparent's thread on buying this laptop) the ATI is the far better option for raw power...

 

In that case go with the FirePro like everyone else is saying. Get Quadros for your need of CUDA work. Otherwise the FirePro should be sufficient and helpful with gaming performance.

 

If the OP is not going to be gaming and not using the sort of apps that benefit from CUDA/MPE acceleration or OpenGL, maybe both of these cards are overkill.

You may want to consider instead a laptop with integrated Intel GPU (no discrete GPU), probably this will result in better battery life.

 

Sincerely you only say those things because you are a hot anime, if you were like me a 8 bit skull, you wouldnt say that.

ps: I agree with you

 

That is true. However opinion is go for a non-workstation business laptop that has a Quadros NVS GPU. Those Quadros aren't really suited for GPU-Intensive graphical work, but they are still powerful enough render stuff in Photoshop or After Effects more effectively than just relying on Intel HD 3000 IGP. In fact, most Quadros NVS GPU's are based on the low-budget and low-end GeForce GPU's that are used for multimedia capabilities and light photo/video-creation processing. Those are still more powerful than the Intel HD 3000 IGP and doesn't take to much power draw for better battery life. Some even are equipped for Optimus for the novelty but they are just powerful enough for the basic use of content creation over Intel's IGP but still efficient enough for battery power and mobility. They aren't as powerful as a true Quadros but still in my opinion better than just relying on an Intel IGP.

I see...