NVIDIA's New Pro Graphics Quadro FX 3000 Reviewed

SpinnerBait writes "NVIDIA recently took the wraps off their next generation Workstation Graphics card, the Quadro FX 3000. This card is based on the same general GPU architecture as the NV35 but optimized for CAD and DCC applications. This article over at HotHardware shows what the new Quadro FX 3000 is capable of and it makes a strong showing. However, you've got to pay to play (or work) on this card, that's for sure."

Comments

Most high end graphics cards STILL suck.

[Hayzeus]

But once I see FOUR-dimensional acceleration, /then/ I might upgrade.

I don't need it.. yet at least

[qmrq]

I've yet to find anything that gives my Quadro4 a real workout.. I'll stick with what I have for now.

Optimized

[mopslik]

...but optimized for CAD and DCC applications.

That's funny, I thought nVidia was "optimzed" for 3DMark2003.

Re:Optimized

[Dark Lord Seth]

I only go for video cards that are optimized for my wallet.

Workstation Class Cards

[Serapth]

I have never understood how this breed of cards exists to this day. Really... the difference between a "stock" GeForce and a workstation class Quadro GeForce... just doesnt justify the cost difference anymore.

When you go back about 3 or 4 years ago... when you contrasted a Oxygen video card, or a FireGL vs a TNT or 3DFX card, you could see where the extra money went. But now, todays commerical grade video cards are more then capable. In fact, alot of people I know that work as graphic artists, use traditional Radeon or GeForce 4's in their workstation machines. Outside of say... Pixar, I just dont understand people buying the workstation class cards.

Now, to go back to this arguement... its nice to see that nVidia managed to get rid of the vacumn cleaner sized fan!

$3k? When $500 is almost as good?

[FileNotFound]

Having RTFA I am surprised that they liked the card.

I mean how can you say that the Quadro is a good card when it costs 6 times more than the competition and is less than 10% faster?

6 times for for 10% faster? No thanks.

Re:$3k? When $500 is almost as good?

[JungleBoy]

There IS a reason, but its a high cost setup. The Quadro FX 3000 can do Dual DVI at 1600x1200 on each screen. Very few cards can do dual DVI at this resolution. In fact the only other one I know of is the Quadro4 XGL 900 (which I use to drive my viewsonic vp201mb LCDs). Many high end game cards can now do insane dual monitor resolutions, but only dual analog is supported; or if they do support dual dvi, they only support it at 1280x1024. I think the Matrox Parahelia can do Dual DVI @ 1600x1200, but I bet UT2k3 doesn't run as well as on my Quadro. And with 3200 pixels of width, you can set a nice high field of view.

The Police Quest test

[lateralus_1024]

One has to wonder how well it can run Police Quest. Time will tell. I'm sure NVidia is dodging this test.

Re:Dual Out

[niko9]

Dual DVI output: Drives two independent digital displays at 1600 x1200, or one at 3840x24005.

Nice.

Sounds like the perfect card for the perfect monitor

9.2 million pixels at 0.1245mm stripe pitch, 3840x2400 native resolution.

Now, that my friends, is nice.

Re:crazy

[Verteiron]

You may not need a 10GHz CPU. I know I don't, at least, not yet. But as interfaces improve, as software becomes more complicated, hardware like this may well a requirement. After all, monitor images are still nothing like as detailed as a printed page, and even a very high-end monitor has only a fraction of the resolution that can be produced by a $100 printer. It's going to take serious hardware to acheive that kind of image clarity in real time. 10GHz CPUs may be just the beginning.

Re:What is a DCC Application?

[mopslik]

According to this article, DCC stands for Digital Content Creation.

Impressive? No, especially the review.

[LxDengar]

Max 4.2 as a benchmark? Please, move up to 5.1 at least, and get XSI and Maya in there (Although admittedly Maya can be a troublesome beast for new graphic cards). Its a workstation card, run it against workstation apps.

I appreciate the effort with the SPECopc benchmarks, but review sites need to put more effort into testing a card like this. I cannot see what the reviewers were thinking by not putting this card up against what it's price point is aimed at - specifically Wildcat cards.

Ever use a mid to high range 3D CAD program?

[bombom]

I work as a CAD developer and you won't belive how much Quadro cards can outperform regular Geforce cards (don't get me strarted about ATI and thier crappy drivers for the FireGLs).

The single biggest limitation of the GEForce cards is they are optimized for 1 window. A Quadro card OTH can have open multiple windows in a 3D cad program . (e.g. Geforce 4's choke after having 3-4 moderatly complex parts open and a good Quadro 4 can handel 12-15 windows no sweat). AutoCAD is pretty light on the GFX card so a older quadro might suffice but something like Inventor or Solidworks or Catia can really benefit from these cards. If one of your engineers sees a 20% speed up in generating drawings of a complex assembly, or a 10% speed up rotating a gear assemlby, 3K is money very very well spent.

Re:Dual Out

[afidel]

21-24"
The Sony Trinitron CPD-G500 21" monitors can do 2048*1536 @ 75Hz. Their 24" widescreen does 2304 x 1440 @ 80Hz. Someone else may have a better monitor but I haven't seen em =)

Re:What's the license?

[be-fan]

In random configurations, yes, there are issues with NVIDIA's stability. In closed configurations, there is not. I've never had a problem on any of my systems with NVIDIA's drivers, so its quite possible to build a system that runs rock solid with NVIDIA's drivers. Companies that are using NVIDIA on Linux can use these configurations, so that's not a problem.

As for Linux's importance to NVIDIA, remember three things:

1) Being the only option for high-end 3D on Linux is a big boon to them. A lot of computer graphics companies are moving to Linux (ILM, as I mentioned, runs Linux on almost all of their graphics workstations). These users are a very profitable market segment for NVIDIA's high end hardware (like the Quadro this article is about).
2) Being the only option on Linux is great for publicity. Gaming geeks are at least aware of Linux, and many have fooled around with it. Running on Linux is nice PR towards this segment.
3) Maintaining these drivers doesn't cost NVIDIA much. Their driver architecture is highly modular, so being cross platform is relatively inexpensive.