Graphics Card in a new Dell desktop

[Craig Moellenhoff]

I am getting ready to buy a new PC and I need to pick the graphics card. I searched the forum and found a few threads on graphics cards, but the technology and models change so fast it is hard to keep up. I know the recommended specs include a "256MB (or more) nVidia Quadro FX series." Although I am buying from Dell, the nVidia card is not available on the model I have selected. I have two questions:

- Is the ATI Radeon 3450 256MB graphics card an acceptable alternative to the nVidia?

- I could also get the ATI Radeon 4670 512MB card for an extra $85 - would this make a significant difference in ecab performance?

I apologize if this question has been asked before, but I would like to validate my decision before spending the money and locking in my computer performance for the next several years. Thanks.

Craig

[DanEpps]

The answer is...it depends.

What model computer are you looking at?

[Dean Fehribach]

The Dell Precision T3400 Workstation has the 256MB nVidia Quadro FX 570 graphics card available as an option and can still be ordered with Windows XP 'downgrade'.

[Craig Moellenhoff]

To keep my cost within my budget ~$700, I am planning to buy an Inspiron 530 with:

- Core 2 Duo E7400
- XP downgrade (hard to find on the Inspiron, but it is available)
- 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
- 320GB or 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive

I think this list covers the primary specs that could influence the graphics card selection. Thanks.

Craig

[DanEpps]

The Inspiron is designed for business applications such as Microsoft Office and not for technical applications such as eCabinets.

Check out the [url=http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSale ... s=dfb\Dell Outlet[/url]. They have numerous PWS T3500 workstations available for between $700 and $999. All have an nVidia video card--the cheaper ones have the NVS295 with 256MB and the more expensive ones have an FX580 with 512MB. All of these systems are listed as "previously ordered new" which means they are new, never used systems.

I think you will be MUCH happier with the performance from one of these systems than with the Inspiron.

[DanEpps]

I see I mangled the URL...here it is:

Dell Outlet

Select Precision Workstations in the "Stockrooms" dropdown.

[Craig Moellenhoff]

Dan,

Thanks for the advice. I had not looked at the outlet, because I didn't realize they sold new / never used machines. I found a few machines that you described for $719-$999. I know I am demonstrating my ignorance, but I have a hard time understanding the difference between alternate models with similar component specs. On the surface the Inspiron appears to have essentially the same specs for the ~$700 price tag, and the T3500 in the outlet has less memory, smaller hard drive and what appears to be an older processor in the $719 version. I understand the the PWS is a higher level model than the Inspiron, but since it is not obvious from the component specs, I'm wondering what makes the difference - is it the quality / robustness of the components, the internal infrastructure, the type of memory / hard drive, ability to upgrade, etc.?

As I said, I know that I am displaying my ignorance, but I'm somewhat analytical in my decisions (especially when it involves spending money) and I would like to better understand the differences. Thanks again for your help.

Craig

[DanEpps]

On the surface they may seem to be very similar but there are many differences that aren't readily discernable. Generally speaking, workstation-class systems will have the ability to have more RAM, will have video cards with more RAM designed primarily for technical applications (OpenGL instead of Direct3D), will have better hard drive controllers with RAID and SCSI options, and will have error correcting memory (ECC).

While you may see the same CPU and even the same RAM used in a business-class and a workstation-class system, there are architectural differences on the motherboards.

If you want something for browsing the internet, get a home computer.
If you want to play games, get a gaming computer.
If you want something for general office functions, get a business-class computer.
If you want to run a website or file/email server, get a server.
If you want to run engineering applications, get a workstation-class computer.

Will business computers run technical applications? Sure, if they are robust enough and you don't mind getting less performance.
Will home computers run technical applications? Maybe, but probably not.
Will gaming systems run technical applications? Most likely, but you will not get optimum video performance.
Will servers run technical applications? Maybe, but most technical applications are not compatible with server operating systems.
Will workstation-class systems run games? Most likely, but you will not get optimum video performance.


Can you haul a5 tons of topsoil in your pickup truck? Sure, but you will have to make 10 trips and unload it with a shovel and you may break a spring or shock, or blow out a tire. Better to make 1 trip in a dump truck that is more suited to the job.

[Rick Deskins]

Here a list of Hoops Tested Video Cards. We are currently using the OGL driver.

http://developer.hoops3d.com/hoops/graphicscards.html

[DanEpps]

Bear in mind that just because a card list listed as having passed the HOOPS tests doesn't mean that you will get great performance from it.

Also worth noting is that most of the tests show HOOPS version 12 as being the oldest version tested for a particular card. eCabinets current uses HOOPS version 11 and those cards listed may or may not be compatible. I'm pretty sure someone said the eCabinets version 6 is to be updated with the latest version of HOOPS (which is currently 17.01).