For AutoCAD: Quadro 2000 vs FX 1800

[Bobsy]

Hi,

I need to upgrade the graphics on a generic Core 2 Quad computer to turn it into a CAD workstation. I am going to buy either the Quadro 2000 or Quadro FX 1800.

Question: is the 2000 the better choice? I would think so, but so many computer manufacturers are still offering the FX 1800 and that makes me wonder if I am missing anything...

I asked PNY to offer some insight, but I got no reply. (Weird.)

(Please don't try to convince me to buy a GeForce card or else: money is no object , and I want the certified hardware/drivers.)

Thanks!

 

[43st]

2d or 3d?

We did a small test last week and found very little difference between a G92 8800GTS and a Quadro 4000 in 3d, for what it's worth. We may have been CPU bound though. The 8800GTS is one of the last Nvidia cards that didn't have crippled AutoCad drivers.

 

[Arkadrel]

Nvidia Quadro 2000 > Nvidia Quadro FX1800

(I believe)

So yeah if you want the fastest of the 2 I believe the 2000 to be the card for you.

the 2000 is around ~449$
the fx1800 is around 400$

the ATI version of the Quadro 2000, I believe to be like a Firepro v5800

the FirePro V5800 is around ~ 389$

on newegg.

Benchmarks of professional GPU cards:
http://www.cgchannel.com/2010/12/review-amds-ati-firepro-professional-gpus-2/

 

[Bobsy]

2d or 3d?

Mostly 2d, but we are moving to light 3d.

 

[Bobsy]

Benchmarks of professional GPU cards:
http://www.cgchannel.com/2010/12/review-amds-ati-firepro-professional-gpus-2/

Thank you for this link. I found there an article about the release of the Quadro 2000. It says it is actually faster than the FX 5800!

Cheers!

 

[Arkadrel]

@Bobsy

You can compair the Quadro FX3800 vs the Firepro 5800, in that link.
The Fx3800, lost vs the Firepro 5800 in all those benchmarks.

Sadly all they showed off benchmarks was:
3ds Max 2011
Maya 2011
Mudbox 2011
Softimage 2011
MachStudio Pro
Cinebench 11.5

 

[gorobei]

if money is no object then the quadro 5000 and 6000 (gf100) might be an option. Though pretty pricey and suffers the same heat issues as the gtx 480 470.

I'm amazed at the firepro8800 review, as well as the bang for the buck of the juniper version. Almost makes me want to look into softmodding my 5870 2gb.

 

[43st]

Mostly 2d, but we are moving to light 3d.

Then I wouldn't worry about it, any card will work as AutoCad renders legacy 2d in the CPU (if you use the 2d visual style you can get anti-aliasing on 2d line and that's about it).

 

[96Firebird]

The Quadro 2000 is definitely better than the FX1800. I'm guessing those computer companies are trying to off-load extra FX1800 stock that they have lying around.

The new Quadro series (without the FX) are much, much better than the FX series. They are Fermie GPUs that are very fast in CAD.