Video/Image editing workstation

[NEVERwinter]

my friend is going to build a new computer, mainly used for video and 2D/3D image editing. But since pro-class graphic cards (such as FireGL or Quadro) are too expensive, what would be the best for him? GF 6xxx or ATI Xxxx? Opinions? And what's the reason for your opinion?
Is there any differences between image quality, color depth, rendering quality/speed between those chipsets?

thank you.

 

[Matthias99]

Video editing and 2D work has little to nothing to do with your graphics card.

For 3D modelling work (using programs like MAYA, 3DSMax, AutoCAD, etc.), you really want a workstation-class card (FireGL, Quadro, Wildcat). If you can't afford one of those, you might want to look at modding a consumer-class card (like a GeForce5) into a professional one -- they're more or less the same physical cards with a different BIOS and drivers installed. Of course, if you're not doing anything too extreme, you can just use a normal unmodded consumer card (something like an X800XL or 6800GT would be faster than any 'professional' card of a generation or two ago in almost everything).

If you're doing 3D rendering, keep in mind that the actual renderer/raytracer doesn't use the graphics card -- it's only used for previews and modelling.

 

[NEVERwinter]

I believe he's using Maya and AutoCAD for 3D works, and no, I know he can't afford a pro card.
Hmmm... what about those who said that Radeon has better image quality, GF has better rendering quality, etc.?

thanks again.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: NEVERwinter
I believe he's using Maya and AutoCAD for 3D works, and no, I know he can't afford a pro card.
Hmmm... what about those who said that Radeon has better image quality, GF has better rendering quality, etc.?

thanks again.

The image quality stuff is mostly in regard to certain optimizations or tricks that both companies use in game rendering. The professional cards don't really suffer from this.

NVIDIA's Quadro cards are generally from slightly worse to significantly better at 'professional' rendering tasks than ATI's FireGL cards, due to better optimized OpenGL drivers -- however, the gap has closed somewhat in recent generations, and ATI's cards are usually cheaper.

How tight is your budget? You can find a lot of used last-generation Quadro/FireGL cards for pretty reasonable prices. And like I said, if he's not doing anything *too* demanding, 'consumer' cards work just fine. The 'professional' cards are just optimized for OpenGL and certain applications (and usually handle scenes with VERY high triangle counts better, especially in wireframe modes).

 

[imported_Kensai]

I'll suggest that you get a 6800 GT and if you want, flash it (If possible, and there are risks involved.) to a Quadro FX4400.