Quadro vs Geforce...is it worth the extra $$$?

MrPolarBare

Well-known member
After seeing Canopus Edius in action on a PC, I am now convinced that I don't need to make the switch to Apple. I now know that real-time MXF editing is possible on my PC. I am building a new Athlon X2 system, and I was wondering if getting a Quadro card (3000 or 4000 series) is worth the extra money over say the new 7900 GTX gaming card. Roughly the pricepoints are $500, $1000, $1500 for the three cards. Am I really going to notice a difference? If so, where and how will I notice the difference in cards. Theoretically I understand that the Quadro line is for 3D and graphic intensive programs, but my current 7800 GTX seems to handle Maya and the Adobe suite fine. I am just wondering where the "wow factor" will be if I upgrade to one of these Quadro cards in my new system that I am building.

My workload consists of editing HD footage shot with my HVX200, Maya, and compositing programs like AfterEffects and Combustion.
 
OK, I am basically down to this. I can get a Quadro FX 3400 256mb or a Geforce 7900 GTX 512mb for the same price ($500). Which one do I get for my worload that I explained above? (HD Editing, Maya, Compositing).
 
I found the answer. The Quadro 3400 will outperform the 7900 GTX in what I want it to do. Here is a good article I found that benchmarks a top of the line gaming PC and a top of the line workstation pc in a whole bunch of tests (well what used to be the top of the line, it is a tad dated). It seems like the workstation computers can hold their own when it comes to gaming, but the gaming systems get crushed when they start benchmarking 3DS Max and programs like that.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/ultimate_workstation_ultimate_gaming_pc/
 
I'd have to say go for Quadro. The card is a monster when it comes to graphics and higher end apps. It accelerates the rendering like none other.
 
You allready have a 7800 GTX and plan to buy a 7900 GTX? Boy, you must have loads of disposable income. Most people would be happy if they had half the processing power of the 7800 GTX. I own a used Radeon 9700 Pro and don't know why I should upgrade for HD, besides more Video-RAM maybe.
 
MrPolarBare said:
After seeing Canopus Edius in action on a PC, I am now convinced that I don't need to make the switch to Apple.

With your experience with Edius, have you been able to capture streaming from the HVX200 directly into Edius like FCP can?
 
Pascal_Parvex said:
You allready have a 7800 GTX and plan to buy a 7900 GTX? Boy, you must have loads of disposable income. Most people would be happy if they had half the processing power of the 7800 GTX. I own a used Radeon 9700 Pro and don't know why I should upgrade for HD, besides more Video-RAM maybe.

I have an Athlon64 gaming computer that has a 7800 GTX in it. It is hooked up to my HDTV in my living room. My work computers are in my office where I can work on a high-res monitor. So the new system (and card was necessary) because I don't want to give up my media center pc in my living room, and I also don't want to work at my living room HDTV's 1280x720 resolution.

I was using an AnthlonXP system in my office that has a Quadro FX 3000 in it. But, unfortuantely the new Adobe Production Suite and the Raylight codec won't work with AthlonXP processors. Unfortunately that system uses AGP 8x, so I couldnt use that card in my new system. Anyways, it is all settled now...a few grand later :)
 
spunknoid said:
With your experience with Edius, have you been able to capture streaming from the HVX200 directly into Edius like FCP can?
I just downloaded the demo last night, so I haven't done many tests. I have already invested in a P2 Store, and I mainly shoot action videos, so capturing to a laptop isn't a high priority to me. I would imagine you would be able to though. Honestly, I am still going to wait a little longer to see what Adobe comes out with support-wise for Premiere Pro 2.x. If the performance is almost as good as Canapus then I will stay with that solution, since it is what I am used to, and because I love the Adobe Dynamic Link. But, if I can't get good results, then it looks like I might buy Edius. I gave up on Avid after several days, and still not being able to even see my footage. Some error codec error keeps popping up whenever I try to play the MXF files in Avid. I have a cracked version (since there is no tryout version), so maybe that is the problem.
 
Gopher_Greene said:
How does the Quadro compare to the MATROX PARHELIA APVE ?

Sniff...:crybaby: I've an old crappy Parhelia at 256bit, this little baby only gives me headache! Stay away from Matrox! They did the bad trick of not support directx 9 and remain with 8...I think they are not in harmony with Microsoft...so Headache for evr'ybody...also with new products I suppose...
 
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