Best Graphics Card for SketchUp & Vray
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Been looking into getting a performance PC, but wonder if anyone is expert in the field of specilist GPUs for 3D modelling and rendering?
I have done a quick search and come across an NVidia Quadro range. According to the website it is developed specially for use doing 3D work in AutoCAD 2011. Would this be the best option for using SketchUp and photorealistic programs like Vray etc?
Any advice appreciated
Steven -
Hi Steven,
While I am not an expert on the topic, I know that SU does not need a high-end card like a quadro. An 512 Mb, modern GeForce would od it. More importantly, render engines have just started to go over GPU rendering (as far as I know, V-ray has not, yet) and most of the times mainly those high but not top cards are best. nVidia is always a good choice because you never know where you end up and you may need its CUDA technology but get something in the GeForce range (and nowadays an 1Gb or a bit more card is not luxury either so once you get into GPU rendering, it may still be better than 512 Mb).
The limit with renderers built in SU is more RAM than graphics related. Also, as I do not use V-ray, I am not sure but as SU is only 32 bit app, even with the latest version, which is Large Address Aware (so on a 64 bit OS, it can address up to 4 Gb memory), this seems to be little sometimes with big scenes and big texture files when it comes to rendering.
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Okay, that's what is important here, thanks TT (Steve, TT uses V-ray and is our main "support" under the V-ray subforum here so what he says...)
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Almost as a rule you'll find that people on 3D forums consider the Quadro line to be way overpriced compared to the GeForce. I can't say for sure but I think the Quadro only pays for itself when you move into high end architectural engineering programs that require continual math calculations.
Get a GTX570 or 580
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