Quadro nessesary for OpenGL-Software like Cinema 4D?

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Quadro nessesary for OpenGL-Software like Cinema 4D?

Hello,
currently I'm a PC user working very often with Cinema 4d. For PC's Nvidia offers two different GPU-Lines. GeForce for Gamer/Home users and Quadro for professionals. In fact the GPU's are the same but an Hardware-ID that tells the driver what kind of GPU it is. And so Quadro-Chips are much faster especially in OpenGL-Software.
So, Mac just works with OpenGL and has of course different drivers to PC. Is on a Mac also a simulatet brake in the GeForce or Radeon GPUs so that I have to buy a Quadro in order to work productive in Cinema 4d? Or ist an Radeon X1900 XT strong enough? Is an Radeon X1900 XT on a Mac more powerful in OpenGL as on a PC?
Currently I'm really thinking about on switching to Mac. I hope you can help me with the decission.
Thanks for your response.
Greetings
Benni

Self-built Windows XP

Posted on May 21, 2007 2:59 PM

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Answer 1

May 21, 2007 4:22 PM in response to benni4u

the ati will scream with cinema 4D. One thing to remember the most part when it comes to rendering in 3D apps is the processor. This gets taxed a lot more than the GPU, especially in maya which is what i use. And a mac pro has plenty of processor power to kick at it.

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Answer 2

benni4u Author

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May 22, 2007 2:30 PM in response to benni4u

Thanks for your response. So you mean in C4D (or Maya) a fast GPU is just useful in the work view? But when it comes to the final render the CPU does the whole job?
And do you know if there's a software-based break in the Radeon/GeForce-GPU that slows down the OpenGL power but is not locked in the Quadro-GPU? On Windows it is.

Thanks for answering.

Greetings
Benni

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Answer 3

May 23, 2007 10:17 AM in response to benni4u

That is correct, when i work my graphics card makes the world of difference as to how much i can see prior to rendering. Ram makes very little difference within 3D apps, my ram usage using maya and when rendering doesn't clear 600mb. As for when i whack that render button my CPU usage goes straight up to around 350 - 400% and my graphic card fan spins down because its no longer being taxed.

As for your last question i cant imagine there is anything like that in the software but maybe someone else can give a much more accurate answer on that.

But overall if you have the money to burn on a Quadra, save that money and get an 8core mac and settle with the ATI.

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