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AJLynn · February 11th, 2008

Depends on which software you use. You don't "need this for 3d".

-A Geforce will run OpenGL but a Quadro will do a better job of it and will use features that a Geforce won't.
-A Geforce and a Quadro are about equally good at running Direct3D, assuming they're the same speed chips. A Quadro therefore costs more to get the same Direct3D performance as a Geforce.

Max and Viz use Direct3D - it's the default as of Max9/Viz08 and with older versions you can still use it, but the shift was that now the advanced viewport options are for Direct3D.

Most other 3D software uses OpenGL but most of it doesn't use the features that require a Quadro. For example, Sketchup and Cinema4D will run quite well on a Geforce.

Some very advanced software requires a Quadro (or FireGL) - for example, the high quality hardware shading modes in AliasStudio won't run on a Geforce. But I've never seen anybody on this board trying to run that anyway.

For most uses a Geforce 8800GT is excellent and will cost maybe $250.

February 11th, 2008	#4 (permalink)
AJLynn Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Beantown Age: 30 Posts: 4,550 Name: Andrew Lynn	Re: First time my build own PC Depends on which software you use. You don't "need this for 3d". -A Geforce will run OpenGL but a Quadro will do a better job of it and will use features that a Geforce won't. -A Geforce and a Quadro are about equally good at running Direct3D, assuming they're the same speed chips. A Quadro therefore costs more to get the same Direct3D performance as a Geforce. Max and Viz use Direct3D - it's the default as of Max9/Viz08 and with older versions you can still use it, but the shift was that now the advanced viewport options are for Direct3D. Most other 3D software uses OpenGL but most of it doesn't use the features that require a Quadro. For example, Sketchup and Cinema4D will run quite well on a Geforce. Some very advanced software requires a Quadro (or FireGL) - for example, the high quality hardware shading modes in AliasStudio won't run on a Geforce. But I've never seen anybody on this board trying to run that anyway. For most uses a Geforce 8800GT is excellent and will cost maybe $250.