Graphics cards

NightRychune · Post by **NightRychune** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:11 am

I know these have the same general hardware (GPU, chipsets, etc.) and the only difference is the drivers that the cards use. I wanna know if using a gaming card like the ATI X1800 XT vs. the ATI FireGL 7350 really has any serious differences when you're using one or the other in modeling programs (Adobe aftereffects, 3D Studio Max, Maya)?

mdvalley · Post by **mdvalley** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:22 am

Many newer modelers have the ability to utilize 3D hardware for previews, so you don’t have to re-render when you move the camera a little. Card power would help there. But for the real rendering, the modelers use a special software rendering (like raytracing) that is done in the CPU and memory. The graphics card is irrelevant in that case.

NightRychune · Post by **NightRychune** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:31 am

Alright, thanks. I'm trying to get a laptop from a 3rd party (since I don't want to pay over $3,000 for a mediocre machine) and the school IT guys are giving me a hard time about not having a special "professional" card (which cost between $400 and $800.)

ImmortalZ · Post by **ImmortalZ** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:03 am

The professional versions of these cards use enhanced drivers for OpenGL performance and rather mediocre ones for D3D. They are the same chips ofcourse.

And mdv, 3D programs can use the OpenGL renderer for the final rendering. Only if your card is powerful enough though. Unless you get one of the 3D Wildcat cards, you're better off rendering on the CPU. And I don't get why one would want to do it on a laptop - it would use up battery power like hell!