Quadra -vs- Standard video cards

[Miserscrooge]

Hi all,

I am installing Pro Engineer Wildfire on my system. I am wondering what the differences are between Quadra (NVIDIA) and regular hi end video cards are.

If I buy a Quadra for support of the Wildfire will I still be able to game (SOF, RTCW, Doom (all), etc.)?

Does anyone know of a site or article comparing the differences?

Thanks

Miser

 

[Peter]

The chips aren't far from the commodity GeForce ones, one might even be tempted to say the same. The main difference is in the drivers. The Quadro drivers are much more focussed on fast and perfect OpenGL rendering.

ATi plays essentially the same trick with their FireGL line.

 

[Pete]

Yes, I think the main difference between Quadros and regular GeForces is that the former's drivers are geared toward high polygon counts and AA that pertains to line drawings. Quadros should game about as well as the equivalent GeForce, albeit perhaps slightly slower due to the drivers.

I believe Digit-Life and XbitLabs write the occasional article on pro cards. Perhaps you can use NeoSeeker.com to find more reviews of specific Quadros.

 

[Description]

Gaming cards are optimized for speed, whilst the Quadro is optimized for quality and can store a few more polygons.

 

[Miserscrooge]

Thanks for your responses.

I'll check those sites for additional info.

They sure want more $$ for the workstation cards.

 

[VIAN]

The Quadro has a Geforce counterpart. They are the same exact cards. You pay for the drivers. They focus on different aspecs, one on precision, reliability and quality and the other focuses on really fast fps in gaming.

 

[Acanthus]

Honestly unless you are doing VERY advanced rendering a FX5900 or R9800 would do fine.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Enlighten yourselves, folks.

PDF file outlining geForce vs Quadro (Radeon vs FireGL is similar) - line AA, two-sided lighting, multiple overlays, 8 clipping planes vs a single

- M4H