QUOTE(msinc @ 06/19/09, 08:28 PM) [snapback]309803[/snapback]
So, I'm wondering what the big difference is between these two cards (Quadro vs Geforce) From what I am reading it seems like it is really only the warranty and and technical support offered with the Quadro.
Well not quite. A a conscious decisions mon part of the gfx card makers form the original opengl standard the consumer cards leave out hardware overlays. Now maya in particular uses overlays in much. So if you intend to use mayas artisan you will be left ouyt theese features. Also timelines show up as overlays in the ditors so if you dont have a qualified card you will find some of the colors very washed out whereas they show p a s bright red spots on most cards that are qualified. PErsonally i couldnt live without theese but its up to you.
The drivers are SIGNIFICANTLY different. Optimized t a whole range of new things, so quadros for example have a far snappier wireframe renders, thins taht dont count much on gmes anyway sicu as sub window partition. So having many windows up at the same time is fatsre too. Also they are optimized for your gfx apps.
All in all these are not entirely huge deals. If it were not for 2 things:
The price difference between a quadro and consumer card maya initially seem great, however due to some legal jumping the hoops you end up with a better product for same cost 1 year down the line. As investing in equipment can be drawn off your taxation, and further in your insurance premiums. So ta the end of the day the difference for your comppany is allmost exactly 0$ or possibly less. The warranty is actually a huge deal, its not just better its staggeringly much better. They literary swap yoru gfx card on their cost in day for 3 years to come.
This said anything less than 1800 or 3700 is waste of money as they are NOT supported.