see it's weird, cause even 3D apps don't require crazy framerates to work right, so a video card isn't that essential as when compared to a fast hard drive and a good processor for actual rendering work.

still if you were looking for something gamer-friendly (and subsequently, 3D modeling hook-up-friendly), i'd read around http://maximumpc.com/

i would strongly argue that it is extremely necessary to have a separate card, even if its only a middle-of-the-road gaming card. Frame rates aside, there is more computation regarding what is displayed on your screen than in games, and you need a separate GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) to do so. You'll greatly increase your workflow and won't pull your hair out in frustration with modeling/rendering.

Don't be confusing with viewport smoothness and render time, however. Every program uses different algorithms for rendering, but rendering involves your CPU, not your graphics card or GPU. That's where its pays to have a faster computer.

As for cards, I would strongly recommend nVidia over ATI, I think the cards hand CAD programs better and nVidia does a better job with driver development. GeForce cards are for gamers, Quadro cards are from professional CAD/CAM workstations.

Find out whether your computers have an AGP or PCI-e garphics slot on the motherboard and, in all honesty, look on E-bay. Many people are swapping working parts that are one year old for ridiculous prices, you should be able to find a quadro for less than $200, for sure.

And remember to make sure you use the current driver and that your software packages are set to use your graphics card(OpenGL mode). Many programs by default are set to a "software emulation" setting and need to be changed by the user. Otherwise you spent money a card that the program isn't told to use.

Hope this helps...

that helps a lot grauster

- thank you!

the reason why your graphics card doesn't make render times faster is you either have no level 2 cache or a crappy front side bus, so you can't use the graphics card.

what are the fine points of changing a graphics card on your computer?
i will get one that is competable with my computer. it is an old dell computer dim 4550. i am worried because this is how my last computer problem started and led to complete crash of my desktop 5-6 years ago.
thanks in advance.

get a 6800 512mb PCI-e OC if you can find one and softmod it to a Quadro 4000 for accelerated open GL

http://forum.pcstats.com/showthread.php?t=30028

thanks.
i looked all the instructions on the web for installations. sounds like erase the old driver, open the computer, yank out the old card put the new one in and viola.

what grauster said.

Dont' confuse rendering time with viewport acceleration.

Imho, a good card is essential for productivity - you need to see what you are doing. The better the card, the faster you'll be able to work (prior to rendering). Pro cards, like Quadro's and FireGL's, are optimized for 3D (as opposed to a GeForce which is a gaming card).

That said, your money should go towards the fast processor and tons of ram, prior to a graphics card.

Fast hard drives are great for video, where you are accessing gobs of data all the time, but not nearly as essential for 3D. 7200rpm is fine.

I would suggest just buying a new computer, but I don't know your budget. Rarely is it worth it (imho) to upgrade a cheap computer.
Save, buy something solid and it'll last you and save a billion headaches. Think productivity - the faster you can do something the more you can do.

you can get a good computer for a reasonable price if you build it yourself.

so can i just ask... its important to have a good graphics card such as the Quadro FX ra ra ra, but more important to have more cpu speed and more RAM for programmes like PS 3d max and cad etc? in simple simple engrish, what does the graphics card then do

it really depends on what program(s) you use and how you use them.

first, any modern graphics card will have acceptable 2D performance. (photoshop, drawing plans and elevs in CAD)

Basically, in 3D, the graphics card effects how fast you can zoom and rotate around your model, and how it looks (jaggy edges or anti-aliased) on your screen while doing that.

Since 3dmax has such a good Direct3D driver, a quadro probably isn't necessary. (quadros and fireGLs have an advantage in openGL only) But that's an ongoing debate and sometimes changes with each new release of max.

i just found this via fast company online

The cost of a gigabyte of computer memory, over time.

* 1956 | $10 million
* 1980 | $233,000
* 1990 | $7,700
* 2000 | $13.30
* 2006 | $1

You might find these links useful:

cnet-graphic cards

pc mag-graphic cards

again, focusing on performance in terms of gaming is going to lead you down the wrong path.

I did some research into GeForce vs. Quadro cards.

http://lightbox84.blogspot.com/2008/06/graphics-cards.html