I've three options for my graphics card, for a system that'll be running Houdini9.5…

processor: INTEL Core2Quad 2.4G on GIGABYTE GA790FX motherboard

a. ATI Radeon 4870 1GB DDR5
b. NVidia GeForce 9800GX2 512MB DDR3
c. NVidia Quadro FX 3400 256MB

All my web researches have landed me on Quadro cards being better than Gaming cards.. Are workstation cards required for h9.5's hassle-free performance..

Kindly help me choose…
Thanks
Arun

The 9800 will suit you fairly well if budget is a concern. You might have some issues here and there, but they work reasonably well.

At work we use the quadros, it just seems to be less grief overall. Think of it like insurance. Many users think the extra money for Quadro is robbery. I don't disagree, but I still buy them.

ATI - AVOID. Period.

Cheers,

J.C.

Yes. Avoid ATI.

No expensive graphics card is needed for Houdini.


Lee

In general, NVidia cards have better driver support than ATI - especially on the OpenGL end of things. You can't beat ‘em for updates.

That said, my machine has an ATI AH3450 in it - an incredibly cheap card - and it works a treat (until I can get a new machine built specifically for VFX work). I’m just running Apprentice, though, and haven't pushed the envelope on things yet..

Bottom line: you can't go wrong with NVidia.

thnks a million ppl for ur time n advice… Really appreciate it

Now tht I've zeroed on NVIDIA cards,it boils down to

a. QuadroFX3400 256MB
b. 8800GT 512MB AlphaDog Edition

Though, we Houdini users might require QuadroFx, my option is only a 256MBQuadroFX3400, and hence, on the outset, a 512MB 8800GT looks more promising at HALF THE QUADRO"S PRICE…I might b wrong, too.. In the CONTEXT OF HOUDINI PARTICLE DYNAMICS, Help me choose the best suited one… QuadroFX3400 256mb OR 8800GT 512MB???

Thnks again,
Arun

I recently built a computer with a Asus AEH4870X2… the thing is an animal… it has been a pain to get some drivers… but theyre working great now… nice and fast, cold, quiet, and powerful…

I had problems running Houdini 9 with a Nvidia 7950GTKO and ended up switching to a ATI FireGL v3600. No problems since switching.

I would expect that any of the cards that you listed should work fine.

To be fair, you're comparing a card over 2 years old with a brand new one. Nvidia, as a rule, will give you less grief once you get the drivers right.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just pointing out reality for those trying to make a decision. As mentioned, you don't need to spend a lot of money.

Cheers,

J.C.