Anyone have experience with AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB DDR5 graphics card?

[gbelous]

I am in the process of getting a new computer and for the specific model, the only option I have for a graphics card is the AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB DDR5. I was wondering if anyone has used this with Autocad and what their thoughts were on if I should pursue this or try to get another card. I know most recommend the FirePro or Quadro cards, but I will research those only if the radeon is a definite NO.

Thanks!

[gbelous]

Okay...my head is swimming with all this information on trying to pick all this stuff out and I'm sure I am driving you all crazy with my questions...especially the ones that repeat themselves.

 

Not sure how much flexibility I have with cards, but can anyone help put these in order from the best to worst? I have narrowed down the list of cards that are most frequently talked about in a bunch of forums (with the exception of the Radeon, I didn't see that anywhere) and here is the breakdown...

 

Nvidia Quadro 2000 http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-quadro-2000-us.html

Benchmark 1,123 Price $399 DirectX 11 OpenGL 4.3 193 Cuda Cores

 

AMD FirePRO V5900 http://www.amd.com/us/products/workstation/graphics/ati-firepro-3d/v5900/Pages/v5900.aspx#4

Benchmark 1,765 Price $430 DirectX 11 OpenGL 4.1 Nothing about Cuda Cores

 

AMD Radeon HD 7870 http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/7000/7870/Pages/radeon-7870.aspx#3

Benchmark 3,385 Price $250 DirectX 11.1 OpenGL 4.2 Nothing about Cuda Cores

 

GeForce GTX 570 http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-570/specifications

Benchmark 3,620 Price $250 DirectX 11 OpenGL 4.2 480 Cuda Cores

[tzframpton]

Certified Graphics List:

Intel: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?siteID=123112&id=18844534&results=1&stype=graphic&product_group=3&release=2010&os=8192&manuf=1&opt=0

 

AMD: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?siteID=123112&id=18844534&results=1&stype=graphic&product_group=3&release=2010&os=8192&manuf=2&opt=0

 

Looks like neither of the gaming cards are 'technically' certified. Nor the V5900. But personally, the gaming cards have been outperforming the workstation level cards since Autodesk has been pushing to use Microsoft's Direct3D driver instead of the OpenGL driver, especially when comparing bang for buck. Personally, I'd go with the GTX 570 because of the CUDA Cores but only if you know they'll actually get used.

 

Workstation cards work great too, but it's hard to tell when they start becoming worth it when compared in price.

[gbelous]

yeah i notice they weren't certified or recommended, but they may or may not work fine, that's why i wanted to ask.

what do cuda cores do?

[tzframpton]

I'm not sure exactly, but they're extra extensions for certain types of processing. Last time I checked anyways.

[SLW210]

See the WIKI CUDA CORES.

 

If this is for work at a company, you need to get a certified and recommended card, just in case there are problems with Autodesk products down the road. They are not going to work with you if your card is not on the list, they will just tell you to get certified hardware and call back if problem not solved.

 

Remember, it isn't just the hardware, you also have the driver to consider.

 

Yes +- 90% of the time the game cards work just fine, caveat emptor, most problems I've observed on the AutoCAD related forums, relating to video cards and AutoCAD, generally involved unsupported cards and drivers and more often than not AMD cards/drivers.

 

So, odds are the gamer cards will work fine and it is a "Roll of the Dice" either way. You just need to weigh if the certified/recommended security is worth the extra $$$$.

 

I run a Quadro 600 and it is adequate for my work and is certified/recommended and was about $250 US.

[tzframpton]

Yes +- 90% of the time the game cards work just fine, caveat emptor, most problems I've observed on the AutoCAD related forums, relating to video cards and AutoCAD, generally involved unsupported cards and drivers and more often than not AMD cards/drivers.

This is true, and a good tip... a long time ago I ran a gaming card (7300GT) and in AutoCAD it worked just fine, but Revit was a different animal. So many intermittent problems it was unreal.

[gbelous]

so with that all in mind, the only option from my list is the quadro 2000.

ideally, i'd like to get something that could support some heavier 3d stuff. time to time things come thru we need something quick and detailed for.

[tzframpton]

so with that all in mind, the only option from my list is the quadro 2000.

ideally, i'd like to get something that could support some heavier 3d stuff. time to time things come thru we need something quick and detailed for.

Also realize that I've seen the best of the best computers with high end workstation cards, and AutoCAD still can, and will, buckle a computer on the quickness.

[gbelous]

yeah, i'm aware that any computer anywhere is always going to have issues with cad, it's just one of those programs. I'm just trying to get the best card and computer i can. not sure how our it guy feels about making sure it's a certified card. usually he handles problems himself and doesn't contact autodesk, but i also want to have a card that people know is reliable because if it sucks then they will look at me for why i HAD to have that card lol

[f700es]

I agree with Tanner, if you are doing Revit or Inventor then by all means get a Quadro for sure.

[gbelous]

i don't see us getting into those two programs in the near future, if ever. so if the quadro is out what would you recommend next?

[f700es]

The AMD has better specs and if you were building a gaming rig then I would have to look at that one but nVidia has always had better 3D drivers so I would pick the GTX 570. You won't see Cuda on AMD/ATI cards as this is an nVidia technology. Just make sure you get DX11 and OpenGL 4.0 or better support.

[gbelous]

i was leaning towards the 570. now i have to see if they can put it in that computer

[tzframpton]

Ran into that once. Ordered a stout card and it was massive... on a slimline PC haha. IT Admin and I just looked at each other and smiled when it came in.

[gbelous]

yeah, also have to make sure it works with the computer. we are ordering from dell so i have to get my it guy the kind of card i want and he will see if they can do it in the xps

[gbelous]

I checked with dell about the GTX 570 and they don't have that, but instead they have the GTX 660. Haven't seen any mention of that card around, so not sure of it's cad capabilities.

So now it's either the 660 or the original 7870. Any thoughts?

[f700es]

Honestly they both are pretty even with the AMD having a bit better performance but again I am leery of AMD's 3D drivers.

 

The XPS case should be big enough but make sure the supplied power supply has enough power to push the video card. It should but double-check.