Which GPU for Octane render ?

[Lucile]

Hello, I've got this type of computer :
Acer Aspire AX3810
OS : Windows Vista 64-bit with SP1
CPU : Q8200 Intel Core 2 Quad Processor
Memory : 8GB DDR3
HDD : 750 GB
VGA : HD4650 1024MB ATI Radeon

I would like to buy Octane render in a few weeks. But I don't know which GPU do I have to buy.
Somebody told me NVIDIA quadro 600 would be good but I don't know. I'm an inexperienced girl concerning GPU and technical things.
My budget is about 150-200 euros for the GPU.

Thanks for helping.

[mib2berlin]

Hi. the NVIDIA quadro 600 is good for the display but not for Octane.
Try to get a GTX 560 or GTX 560Ti with 2GB VRam, these are close to your budget.
A small table with some GTX cards:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub ... utput=html

Look for "Octane rendering speed (Ms/sec)"

Render speed depends on Config core, double cores double speed (~) and double prize.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeForce_50 ... pset_table

The GTX 600 series has different core technology > GTX 660Ti is slower, for Octane, than a GTX 560TI but much faster for games.
Also the GTX 600 series is not fully supported from Octane atm..

Cheers, mib.

[kavorka]

Octane only works with Nvidia CUDA cards, so your Radeon won't work (try to keep it for your display and have just your new card for Octane to maximize performace).

Quadro performs badly for Octane. Best performance is the 5.xx series. The 580 works very well and comes in a 1.5 gig and 3 gig VRAM option. See if those fall into your price range. If not, the 470 is considered one of the best "bang for your buck" cards. I use it at home and it performs very nicely. Make sure that your PC has an open PCI express slot for you to place the card, and also note that these cards take up the space of 2 cards (they don't plug into 2 slots, but if there is a slot imediatly below it, it will be covered).

If you are able to keep your existing video card while still placing your new Nvidia card, then you can use that old card for display which will help out a lot.

[kavorka]

oh, btw, if you are on a budget, sometimes you can find factory refurbished cards on EBAY for a good deal cheaper. These are cards sent back and repaired by the manufacture. If you do get something on EBAY, make sure it is a reputable dealer. Thats how I got my 470 for about 50 USD less than normal and it has been working strong for about 6 months.

[Lucile]

Thank you for your asnwers. That's so nice !
But I'm not sure to understand well (I'm French).

"Kavorka", you told me that Octane won't work on my computer because I've got a "radeon" ? What do I have to do in that case ?
I'm sorry if you already have told me but I'm not sure to understand.

Thanks.

[kavorka]

Thank you for your asnwers. That's so nice !
But I'm not sure to understand well (I'm French).

"Kavorka", you told me that Octane won't work on my computer because I've got a "radeon" ? What do I have to do in that case ?
I'm sorry if you already have told me but I'm not sure to understand.

Thanks.

It will work if you get an Nvidia card like we mentioned. You just can't use that Radeon card for Octane. You can have it in your system and Octane will work, so don't worry about that. But you do need to have a Nvidia card for Octane.

But do check the physical PCI express slots on your computers motherboard to make sure your computer can actually use one of these cards.

[Lucile]

OK, I understand. Thank you two !

So if I buy a GTX 560 or 580, Octane will work, that's right ?

In a french IT forum, they tell me I have to uninstall the drivers of the radeon before using the Nvidia GTX. Is that true ?

[kavorka]

those GTX cards will work. I'm not sure about drivers, but that may be what you have to do.
If you are taking your Radeon out and replacing it with the GTX card, then that would be the best bet.

[Lucile]

Ok, thank you.

And what about the electricity consumption ? With a gtx, i have to change my electricity supply.

That's so complicated for a cheap renderer.

[kavorka]

This is Nvidia's website that shows the specs of the cards:
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop ... ifications
Thats the english version, you should be able to find it in french.

But, on that page, it says that you need at least a 450 watt power supply for the GTX 560. You might have that already as it's not that big of a power supply. Its when you start adding 2 or more of the bigger cards that you need a power supply around 1500 Watts.

So, check that page, and check your power supply, you are probably fine.