Want to know the difference between Workstation and Gaming Graphics Cards? When anybody talks about graphics cards then we usually think about the gaming graphics cards. This is because most of the users don’t know that there are some other types of graphics cards too, and even if they know it then they don’t know the exact difference between them (workstation video cards) and the regular gaming graphics cards.
Generally, there are two types of graphics cards; one is the gaming graphics cards that we all know, and another one is the Workstation Graphics Cards or Professional Graphics Cards that have completely different areas of application. Both these graphics cards are alike in some ways but they also have larger differences, especially in terms of technical aspects. So, here in this post, I am going to make a clear-cut comparison between workstation and gaming graphics cards taking into account all the factors.
Must Read: Best Workstation Graphics Cards for Professional Work
Workstation vs Gaming Graphics Cards Comparison
Here is a comparison of workstation or professional graphics cards with gaming graphics cards based on different factors and technical specifications.
Manufacturer
The two biggest graphics card / GPU manufacturers, Nvidia and AMD manufacture both workstation and gaming graphics cards. For gaming graphics cards, Nvidia has several authorized board partners that include big companies like Asus, MSI, EVGA, Gigabyte, etc. but for its workstation graphics cards, it is the PNY only. This means only PNY can make the Nvidia Workstation graphics cards. The gaming series graphics cards from Nvidia is GeForce and for Workstation Graphics Cards it is Quadro.
Check out: Nvidia’s Pascal series Quadro Graphics Cards
Similarly, AMD has various board partners for its gaming series graphics cards but very few for its workstation graphics cards. This means no other company can make AMD workstation graphics card except for AMD and its authorized partner (Sapphire) for workstation cards. The gaming series graphics card from AMD is generally Radeon RX and for Workstation Graphics Cards it is FirePro. However, you may find some workstation graphics cards from AMD with Radeon & Vega branding e.g. AMD Radeon Pro Duo and Radeon Vega Frontier Edition.
| Manufacturer | Gaming Graphics Cards | Workstation Graphics Cards |
| Nvidia | GeForce | Quadro |
| AMD | Radeon / RX Vega | FirePro / Vega |
GPU
The GPU in workstation and gaming graphics cards may or may not be the same depending on the graphics card. For example, Nvidia Quadro P5000 / P4000 and GeForce GTX 1070 & GeForce GTX 1080 use the same GP104 GPU. Also, there is no technical difference between workstation and gaming graphics cards that are based on the same GPU architecture i.e. a Pascal-based workstation graphics card and gaming graphics card will have the same GPU technology, capability, and manufacturing process. This also applies to the AMD workstation graphics cards.
Memory
Both Workstation and Gaming graphics cards come with the same type of memory i.e. it can be GDDR5, GDDR5X, HBM, or HBM2 memory. However, there is a major difference between the memories of these two graphics cards. The memory used in the workstation or professional graphics cards is ECC (Error Correcting Code) which offers greater accuracy in results/ calculations at the cost of some speed, while Gaming grade graphics cards use Non-ECC memory which is faster but is not that accurate compared to the ECC memory.
P.S. – Some workstation graphics cards may not have ECC memory so check this when buying one.
Firmware & Drivers
The Firmware or BIOS used in Workstations and Gaming Graphics Cards is tuned differently. The Firmware in workstation graphics cards is optimized more towards accuracy and stability while in gaming graphics cards it is optimized for speed and performance.
Also, the drivers for workstations and gaming graphics cards are different. The drivers for workstation GPUs are optimized for 3D Modelling, CAD, CAM, or professional graphics software. On the other hand, gaming graphics card drivers are optimized for the latest games for delivering high frame rates (FPS) in games, so that you can have super-smooth gameplay on your PC.
Usage
Workstation graphics cards are used in scientific laboratories, high-end servers, movie studios, game development studios, and professional setups, and for running CAD / CAM software, Maya, Solidworks, AutoCAD, 3D Modelling & Animation software. Some workstation graphics cards can also run games at high graphics settings with playable frame rates.
On the other hand, gaming graphics cards are generally used for running the latest AAA games. However, gaming graphics cards can also be used for video editing and running graphics software for users who cannot afford workstation graphics cards.
Performance
Workstation graphics cards are more stable, robust and they deliver great accuracy and performance in heavy graphical applications and professional graphics software. On the other hand, Gaming graphics cards deliver excellent performance in games for getting more performance and you can overclock them to higher frequencies. Overclocking is against the warranty and it can hinder the stability of the graphics card and may produce undesirable effects and crashes during gaming or in graphics applications. There are various graphics card overclocking software available for overclocking Nvidia and AMD gaming graphics cards.
Features
Workstation graphics cards come with features that are targeted toward professional software for increasing productivity. On the other hand, gaming graphics card features are targeted toward gaming for increasing gaming performance and gaming experience. For example, Nvidia and AMD graphics cards come with features like G-Sync and FreeSync respectively that reduce the stuttering and screen tearing in games.
Power Consumption
The power consumption depends on the GPU used and the processing power of both these graphics cards but in general, a Workstation graphics card requires a more stable and powerful supply compared to a gaming graphics card.
Check out: Best High-end PSU for Graphics Cards
Price
Workstation Graphics Cards are very costly and sometimes five to ten times more expensive than the gaming graphics card having the same GPU. For example, a normal GeForce GTX 1080 costs around $500 – $550 but an Nvidia Quadro P5000 (having the same GP104 GPU in GTX 1080) will cost you $2500 (approx).
| Comparison / Specifications | Workstation Graphics Cards | Gaming Graphics Cards |
| Manufacturer | Nvidia and AMD | Nvidia and AMD |
| GPU Architecture | Similar for Same GPUs | Similar for Same GPUs |
| Memory | ECC Memory (DDR3, GDDR5, GDDR5x, HBM, HBM2) | Non-ECC Memory (DDR3, GDDR5, GDDR5x, HBM, HBM2) |
| Firmware / Drivers | Optimized for Professional Graphics Applications and software | Optimized for Games |
| Usage | Used in Labs, Servers, Studios, VR Content Creation, Weather Forecasting | Mostly for Gaming, Video Editing, 4K Video Playback, Multiple Monitor Setup |
| Performance | Stable Performance | Fast performance in games, Stability is an issue during overclocking |
| Features | Features targeted toward professional graphics software | Contains features for optimized gaming performance |
| Power Consumption | Depends on the GPU | Depends on the GPU |
| Price | Very Expensive | Way Cheaper than Workstation Graphics Cards |
See also: Build Budget CAD Workstation PC for SolidWorks and AutoCAD
Conclusion
In the end, I would say that workstation and gaming graphics cards have different areas of application. If you are on a tight budget then you can use a regular gaming graphics card for your professional work but it would be a dumb idea to buy a workstation graphics card for gaming. Workstation graphics cards do offer great computing performance and accuracy in professional graphics applications and software but they come with a heavy price tag. If you still have any confusion on which graphics card to get for your work or for your requirements then you can ask me your queries by leaving a comment below.
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Thank you for your article. It’s a great read.
In my work I need to view 3D model of chemical plant in .dgn format using Microstation. These models are often large and complex. I do not need to draw anything in it and at most just moving objects to different layer for better viewing. I will also need to export them into .stl format. In this case do you think a high end gaming graphic card could perform better (render at faster speed, being more stable etc.) than a workstation ones at a similar price?
Thanks a lot.
Hello Jason,
In my opinion it is better to go for a high-end graphics card over a lower end quadro or workstation graphics card in terms of performance. I would personally go for a GTX 1070 or GTX 1080 over a workstation graphics card of the same price. I think nowadays most of these softwares play pretty well with gaming graphics cards too but there may be few exceptions. The only advantage workstation graphics cards have is in the drivers and stability department. Overall I think a high-end gaming graphics card would be a better choice e.g. GTX 1070, GTX 1070 Ti, GTX 1080. If you have any more doubts then feel free to ask me.
Regards
Akshat
One question is does the workstation need to meet certain specs for use with, say GDDR5X cards, in doing fast deep learning (tensorflow) calculations. I have PCIE 2 bus on mine (5+ year old Dell workstation, with GTX 1060 card). I presume PCIE 3 would make a difference. Any other specs to be concerned with? I am trouble finding that information on the web.
Every graphics card whether workstation or gaming needs minimum specs for best performance e.g. a decent processor, sufficient memory, PSU Wattage and so on. I don’t think moving to PCI-E 3.0 will make any kind of noticeable performance gain unless your PCI-E 2.0 x16 slot operates at lower speeds i.e. x8 or x4.
Thanks. Helpful. Currently seeing GTX 1050 = 5 times faster than 8 processor Xeon (~ I7) on MNIST deep learning with Dell T3500.
Hi, I would need graphics card for running Adobe creative suite programs and video editing. Should I go for professional graphics card or a gaming one?
Best regards, Atte
I would say a decent gaming graphics card should be enough. I suggest you to go for GeForce GTX 1050 Ti.
Is Nvidia 2070 super good for workstation
Yes you can use it for workstation purpose too.
means that GTX or RTX able to run solidwork 2014 version smooth?
sorry for my bad english!!!
Which GTX or RTX card are you referring to? but it would run great on all the RTX cards.
Actually I am looking for Asus ROG laptop scar ii model ,you can check the spec at internet and I am not sure it is enough to run solidwork.
I think GL504GW (SCAR II) model has enough power for solidworks.
Dear Akshat, thanks for the info. Recently I bought two HP 22w monitors and also Zotac 1030 2GB DDR5 graphics card. I’m a designer and I bought all these for dual monitor setup for my designing works and semi professional video editing (like for YouTube videos). After reading this article I found that a workstation graphics card Nvidia P400 is there around the price of Zotac 1030. Do I need to replace it with Nvidia P400? Will it be better for my designing and video editing works?
It would be better to get the Nvidia P400 if both were at the same price.
Thanks for your effort!
What do you think of the new AMD Radeon Pro W5700, with 7nm process? It’s positioned as a workstation card, though it’s not too expensive and they also brag about its gaming performance.
It is a good value workstation card that performs similar to Quadro RTX 4000 and costs less. Basically it is almost a Radeon RX 5700 but with slightly higher floating point performance. In gaming expect RX 5700 level of performance from it which is quite good.
Is there any value in going with the Radeon Pro W5700 over an Radeon RX 5700 XT in an eGPU with a MacBook Pro for running Photoshop and Lightroom?
Personally, I do not especially for Mac.
If the price doesn’t matter, will I get better gaming performance out of the most expensive, high-end workstation card or a RTX 2080 ti?
Which workstation card are you talking about? Right now RTX 2080 Ti is the best for gaming.
I am putting together specs for a 20 Dell Precision 3630 or a 5820 towers. The purpose is to support both the curriculum (Adobe Creative Suite and Autodesk AutoCAD and Inventor) next year in our high school as well as an after school club for (eSPorts) gaming. I do not know what games (Smash Bros, Rocket League, League of Legends, Overwatch, Fortnite, Minecraft Survival will be played. What advice do you have regarding the graphics cards and other specs?
I did not get your point. Do you want to build custom PCs or go with the Dell 3630 / 5820 only?
I want to go with a Dell 3650 / 5820 or something similar not a custom built PC.
I did a few configurations at Dell’s website. See below
Dell Precision 3630 Tower – $1,600 with 5 year warranty
Intel Core i7-9700, 8 Core, 12MB Cache, 3.0Ghz, 4.7 Ghz Turbo w/UHD Graphics 630
AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200, 4GB, 4 mDP (FWS)
300W up to 90% efficient PSU
16GB 2X8GB DDR4 2666MHz UDIMM Non-ECC Memory
M.2 512GB PCIe NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive
Dell Precision 5820 Tower – $3,600 with 5 year warranty
Intel® Core™ i7-9800X 3.8GHz, 4.5GHz Turbo, 8C, 16.5MB Cache, HT, (165W, DDR4-2666 Non-ECC
Radeon Pro WX 7100, 8GB, 4DP (5820T)
64GB 4x16GB DDR4 2666MHz UDIMM Non-ECC Memory
M.2 512GB PCIe NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive
950W power supply
I think you should be fine with the Dell Precision 3630 Tower (first option) if you are on budget. Core i7-9700 is a powerful processor that is enough for your requirements. Regarding the graphics card, Radeon Pro WX 3200 is a decent card for workstation use and can also play most of the eSports titles at decent graphics settings (medium-high) with respectable frame rates (50 to 60 FPS at 1080p).
Hi,
I play AAA games and use 3ds max with vray and corona renderers. Is there a card that is suitable for both gaming and 3D work?
I would say RTX 2070 SUPER is a great option.
Hello,
I am looking for a low profile (if possible) card that will support dual monitors for a cheap price. One of the monitors is the Dell 38″ U3818DW. I don’t game and just need the card for everyday stuff like spreadsheets, youtube, etc. I do some photo editing in lightroom and photoshop. Do you have any recommendations?
I suggest GeForce GT 1030 2GB GDDR5. Here are some of the best GT 1030 cards https://graphicscardhub.com/best-geforce-gt-1030/
Thank you so much for the quick reply. You have a great website!
Glad I found this resource and I think you can provide valuable insight. Building a basic professional workstation for a graphics designer using Adobe media platform and 3D CAD/CAM. I would like your opinion on graphics card choice. AMD platform (for now).
Motherboard: ASUS PRO WS X570 ACE
Processor: Ryzen 9 3700 (12 core)
Memory: 64GB ECC
Drive: Sabrent 1TB Rocket Nvme PCIe 4.0
Graphics: Quadro RTX4000 (PCIe 3.0) or AMD Radeon Pro W5700 (PCIe 4.0)
Additional specs support a professional platform (Acronis back up to raid 0, modular gold power, etc.)
Given that the budget is about $2500 additional opinion and recommendations regarding the above core system would be appreciated. In other words – if you had $2500 for a professional station what would you do? How far do you think I can dial it back (Intel i7, standard memory, Quadro Px) and get acceptable reliable performance?
I think there is no need for ECC RAM for the 3D CAD/CAM applications. Here is the recommendation from my side:
Ryzen 9 3900X (use with a good 360mm or 280mm AIO)
MSI MEG X570 ACE Motherboard
64GB DDR4 RAM 3200 MHz (Non-ECC)
NVMe you have selected is fine but I would prefer Samsung 970 EVO
For graphics card Radeon Pro W5700 should be enough and it is cheaper too compared to Quadro RTX 4000. [RTX 4000 is faster]
Hope this helps!
I’m wanting to run Solid works/Cam software/Fusion, etc. I would also like the ability to play most modern games. What would you recommend?
How much is your budget for the card?
Thanks for this article, Akshat. I purchased a Quadro P1000 for my workstation in order to run Revit, Advance Steel, and SOLIDWORKS. After reading this, I’m second guessing myself since I could have gotten an RTX 2060 for the same price. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks in advance.
I think RTX 2060 could have been a better choice.
Hi Akshat im using Autodesk Inventor 2016 on a Older Dell PC it has an Intel Desktop Board H77 with a Core i5-3450 and 8GB DDR3-1600. Which GPU would you recommend a Quadro P400 / P600 or a Gaming GPU of the same price… Because the gaming gpu’s of the same value have beter specs.
Thanks for your guidance👍
What Case and PSU do you have?
The case is a generic one with no name
PSU- baobab 500W
MOBO- Intel Desktop Board DH77EB
CPU- Intel Core i5-3470
RAM- Kingston 8GB DDR3-1600
HDD- Seagate 1TB
Which GPU for Inventor / AutoCAD / Revit … ?
workstation or gaming
Quadro P400 (2GB GDDR5)-(256_Cores) or Radeon RX 550 (GB GDDR6)-(512_Cores)
Quadro P620 (2GB GDDR5)-(512_Cores) or GTX 1650 SUPER (4GB GDDR6)-(280_Cores)
Quadro P1000 (4GB DDR5)-(640_Cores) or Radeon RX 5700 MECH (8GB DDR6)- (2560_Cores)
I would prefer GTX 1650 SUPER with Nvidia Studio Drivers installed.
Dear Akshat,
thanks for this very helpful article. I am replying to your answer because I have a similar situation like the previous user, except that I am targeting a configurabale system from Dell rather than a build from scratch:
We wanted an entry-level to midrange workstation and opted for the Dell precision 3440 because it is a SFF system which is fully configurable on Dell website. A workstation is preferred for the ability to do data science (some simulation, 3D modeling and visualition). Knowing that worstation components are often optimized for stability and longetivity over sheer performance, I would like the compromise to use a regular and faster GPU instead of a workstation-grade GPU card, because I have chosen other specs for a workstation (great processor, ECC RAM, etc.). However, the highest GPU card available for the Dell precision 3440 configuration is an Nvidia quadro P1000 (here is my configuration: https://www.dell.com/de-de/work/shop/workstations/precision-3440-small-form-factor-build-your-own/spd/precision-3440-workstation/xctop3440sffemea?configurationid=76b5c263-3f39-430d-a7e3-7c9307dca86b ). After learnig that this is a half-sized and a bit slower card, I had been searching and came across your articles saying that, when compared to entry-to-midrange-worstation-grade graphics cards like the Nvidia 1000, some of the GeForge GTX (e,g. from the 1650) can also do pretty well for worstation specific tasks, especially with Nvidia Studio Drivers installed. So with the price of the qudro P1000, a very good nvidia GTX card with the speed advantage can be purchased. Unfortunately Dell told me they can’t install such a card in their SFF precision 3440 instead of the offered nividia p1000. Researching further, I learned about the different form factors for GPU cards (low profile vs full height) and I assume Dell simply don’t have the LP variant of the GTX 16 series cards avaliable. So I thought, I may still buy the system nevertheless and a get a card from a different vendor, but I am not sure if it will fit because the dell precision 3440 is relatively new. I also read your article about LP variants of some GPU cards (https://graphicscardhub.com/best-low-profile-graphics-card/) and hope that these cards can still perform well regarding your comment about using some regular (i.e. full height) gaming cards for a worstation (in my case at most a midrange worstation configration anyway). I would greatly appreciate any comment or suggestions.
Your Dell precision 3440 can only fit single slot low profile graphics card. The low profile GTX 1650 cards have dual slot design and need a 300W PSU for their working. So, a Quadro P1000 is the best match for your system.
Many thanks, Akshat, for your fast reply!!! Based on your earlier comments, I was hoping to take advantage of the faster gaming card version, since I am not aiming for high-end workstation-specific tasks. So is this other comment of your ” The best / most powerful graphics card that you can currently get in single slot low profile form factor is GeForce GT 1030 ” still up-to-date or would you suggest a currently best LP gaming card for my system or is it just that the system cannot meet the power requirement?
Thanks again
Yes low profile GeForce GT 1030 is the best for Dell precision 3440.
Hi Akshat,
Thanks for the article but I would like a specific advise from my GPU selection.
I want to build a workstation (To be used for mid range CAD, basic simulation and play around with other CAD software) and have selected these core components
AMD Ryzen™ 7 3700X, 16GB DDR4 RAM
NVMe 1.3 1TB SSD
What kind of Gaming GPU would be suitable for the workload.
Gaming requirements (Standard FPS Games 1080p, 50fps)
Because i intend to initially get a entry lvl workstation GPU ( Quadro P1000 or Radeon™ Pro WX 4100)
How much is your budget for the graphics card?
Probably $350usd,
I was looking at a GeForce® GTX 1660 Ti OC 6G
If there can still be some performance on CAD software. I am already using a
Geforce GTX 1050 ti mobile for work (16Gbs RAM, Intel i7-7700HQ @2.8Gz).
If not i would stick to the earlier 2 options for better performance on the new system.
I think GTX 1660 SUPER would be a very good option. You can use Nvidia Studio Drivers for better stability in workstation application. Here are some of the best GTX 1660 SUPER cards https://graphicscardhub.com/best-gtx-1660-super/.
Hello Akshat. I have a Dell XPS 13 2in1model 7390 with Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics. Light weight and fits nicely in a backpack. I want to be able to run Solidworks 2020 for school and have heard that it would likely not function that well. I really do not want to carry a workstation laptop to every class. I am planning to purchase a Razer Core X Chroma eGPU. What card would you recommend? After college I might not need workstation level graphics and If I could get something that would work for both (gaming too) it would be great.
How much is your budget for the graphics card?
Thanks for the quick reply. I would like to keep the card under $750 if possible, but I want to make sure I have no issues. (I could look at used cards too.) I would be willing to spend more to ensure that. Thanks Akshat.
I think GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER should be enough. https://graphicscardhub.com/best-rtx-2060-super/
Hello Akshat Verma,
I am currently getting ready to head out to college for engineering. A few months back I thought I’d get ahead of the game and buy myself a laptop for school while the black friday deals were around. I picked the MSI gl65 9sdk, which fit the laptop spec requirements at the time.
Fast forward to now and a new spec requirement sheet was released, stating that the laptops should be fitted with a workstation dedicated graphics chip. Preferably the nVidia Quadro p620 -4gb gddr5.
The chip inside the laptop I have is a gtx 1660ti 6GB GDDR6 with the studio drivers, and every other requirement is met.
Do I need to get rid of this laptop and find a new one, or will this work fine?
I think you should be fine, especially with the studio drivers installed.
Thank you! That’s a relief to here
Hello,
I need some help choosing a gpu for a build for the first time. Uses would be for light video editing on Lightworks and I also want to start learning DaVinci Resolve. Husband uses Procore for work (some construction/engineer stuff). I also need it to learn Sketchup (3D modeling) to do some basic home remodeling. Kids will use my pc at times for gaming so it needs that too. They play fortnite, steam, and minecraft. Other use would be internet browsing and watching Youtube.
I am thinking of getting Ryzen 5 3600 cpu. Would this be good or try something else?
Thanks in Advance!!!
Ryzen 5 3600 is an excellent value for money CPU. For graphics card, I would suggest GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER (https://graphicscardhub.com/best-gtx-1660-super/).
Thanks so much for your quick reply and for your recommedation! I will get this card.
You are most welcome.
Hi Akshat, I am looking to buy a Dell Precision M3451 which comes with Nvidia Quadro P620 4GB GDDR5. My purpose is to get GPU power to do some advanced threat detection or building AI-based models which is linked to my Cyber Security profile. Do u recommend this system with this Graphic card or I should go for some GTX / RTX graphic card which comes in ASUS ROG Series?
What applications do you want to work with?
Hi, I want to build threat detection models which are not application specific and require GPU.
OK. the I think it is better to get a system with RTX card.
Hi Akshat, I’m doing my first PC build and currently picking out parts. I want a system that can run Solidworks for basic modeling, and motion studies, assemblies and such. I also want to be able to game on the system but only leisurely. I mainly just play on PC whatever my friends are playing so I don’t need it to be overpowered in gaming performance. I’m thinking of getting a Quadro p2200. The processor I’m thinking of getting is a Ryzen 7 3700x, and I’m looking to get an X570 motherboard as well but still researching options on that front. Would you say this combination will suit my purposes?
The combination is good. For X570 motherboard I would suggest MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI or ASUS TUF GAMING X570-PLUS.
Thanks for the response! I was looking at the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI and it seems great, I think I’m gonna go with that one.
Hello Akshat,
I am looking for a laptop for design work on unigraphics NX, is MSI GF65 (I7 9750H, 16GB, 1660ti 6gb) chip intel hm350 is good, pls suggest.
Thanks
I think it should be enough but make sure it has SSD for the boot drive.
Hello Akshat,
Thanks for your prompt response, yes it has 500GB SSD.
Thanks again
Ok, then you are fine.
Hello Akshat
I have been thinking that the rx5500xt and the radeon pro w5500 have basically the same graphics processor and many specs also seem similar. Is it possible to run the rx5500xt with the vbios of w5500. I’m no professional just a thought if the latter was even possible. The main reason behind this thought was that people are known to run rx5700 with the rx5700xt bios on them and they surely work. Another question with this intercompatibility of bios of 5700 series is whether the w5700 bios can be run on the rx5700 or the rx5700xt because both are cheaper than the w5700. Also to add upon this was that the w5500 is about 2.5 times the price of an average rx5500xt. Thank you for your time.
It is not possible to flash RX 5500 XT with Radeon Pro W5500 BIOS even they have the same GPU. It is because both cards have different controllers, output ports, cooler, and PCB. Flashing RX 5700 with RX 5700 XT is a unique case because both cards (reference design only) are almost identical and have same PCB, ports and voltage controllers.
Oh! Thanks Akshat for such a quick reply. I understood the case behind the bios thing. Just one more question – is there a similar case with the w5700? I didn’t get one thing that the 5700 has fewer eu(s) on the die itself which physically makes it different, still the 5700xt bios recognizes it. Is that through a hack/custom code or a blunder in amd’s software?
Maybe because of the cores in the RX 5700 were not locked by the AMD and the RX 5700 XT BIOS was able to recognize and unlock them.
Thanks for the information. Have a nice day
Akshay
Namste,
I need speed in video rendering work and quality work output in video editing work.
My pc details:-
Processors amd 8350
Motherboard M5A99FX PRO R2.0,
GSKILL 4X4 =16 GB RAMPAGE RAM 1755MHZ
SSD 1TB SAMSUNG EVO 860
SSD 120 GB Samsung evo 840
1TB HDD
Graphic card sapphire amd ati radeon v4800 1gb gddr5.
Cooler master liquid cooling for processor.
Smps cooler master m2 pro 1000w.
I just changed graphic card rx 580 8gb but I couldn’t not satisfy so again use v4800
What can do to increase
Are you talking about performance?
Good morning
Akshay,
Performance and speed in video rendering work
So I want to know which graphic card best for me
Or
any change in my pc system to improve performance and speed ,I am using pc for video editing and rendering work.
For video editing and rendering you need a better processor and for that you have to change your motherboard and RAM also.
Hi Akshat
Thanks for the article.
Gaming PCs always come with very good cooling system. I am just wondering if a gaming PC will have the advantage over a workstation for heavy 3D rendering work, if both also have the same Quadro graphic card, processor and RAM?
Thanks.
You can increase the cooling in any system by using a good airflow case & fans. So, there is nothing like that.
Thanks.
Same for laptop?
Laptops cooling can’t be upgraded but gaming laptops generally come with better cooling.
Akshay,
Your suggestion will be useful in future to build new system.
But
I need suggestion
In my present pc system
What can I do.
Please reply
Thanks
A graphics card upgrade is not going to help that much and you have to upgrade to a better processor.
With this motherboard board
Which processor is suitable
Or
Can I use SLI through add one graphic card to improve result if yes so which graphic card add pl.
Or
Change
RAM can I improve result
I do not advise any processor for this motherboard. I suggest the Ryzen 5 3600 processor with a good B450 chipset motherboard.
What’s price
Both
MB+processor
Also
Ram change ?
&
Graphic card ?
may be around 35k in total.
Than other
Components like
Ram and graphic card no change
It can work
Or
If require change so pl.suggest
Which Ram
And
Graphic card
I buy.
Once again thanks for positive response.
You can use your RX 580 graphics card with this system but RAM needs to be changed as the new system requires DDR4 RAM. Here are the approximate prices:
Ryzen 5 3600 -> 18k
MSI B450M MORTAR MAX Motherboard -> 9.5k
Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR4 RAM 3000 MHz -> 5.3k
Rx 580 returned.
Now you suggest both graphic card as per new system build.
Workstation
And
Graphic card
The graphics card I would like to suggest is GeForce GTX 1650
Simple 1650 or 1650ti or other.
Work like a workstation type result for rendering quality work ?
When I am build new pc under your guidelines
I want to use professional graphic card like, nvidia quadro p 1000 or amd workstation as near 30k
30k for the card only?
Hi Akshat
I am new to the graphics world so please bear with me.
From what I read the difference between gaming and professional graphics cards is not really performance but reliability of the hardware components. Is the statement broadly correct?
Additionally, I believe it is software as well. If that is so, I am not able to find an article that provides a detailed analysis of the differences – both for NVidia and AMD. If you or another author has done an in-depth review, could you please share the link?
One thing in particular I am exploring is the ability to share the card across many VMs. Could you shed some light on this?
Thank you for sharing your expertise – learnt a lot!
Well it is both the stability and performance but if we compare a similarly priced gaming and workstation card then the gaming card will offer better performance most of the time but we cannot guarantee stability. You can check out this article that compares performance of various workstation cards in different software.
Hi Akshat,
Can I get you opinion please – I am looking for a laptop with Virtual Reality ready card, 32 GB RAM, 1.5 -2 TB disk space – for 3D modelling, imagery processing.
I have selected 3 laptops:
1) gaming Dell Alienware M17 with GeForce RTX 2070 Super – price 3020euros
https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/gaming-and-games/new-alienware-m17/spd/alienware-m17-r3-laptop/n00awm17r307?configurationid=f18f4403-899c-4003-a87b-f8865646c7eb#ratings_section
2) Dell Precision 7740 with Radeon Pro WX 3200 w/4GB GDDR5 – price 3115e
https://www.dell.com/en-ie/work/shop/laptops/precision-7740-build-your-own/spd/precision-17-7740-laptop/xctop7740emea?configurationid=43408215-cee1-42a9-a6f4-01f236b26e4c
3) Dell Precision 7740 with Radeon Pro WX 7130 w/8GB GDDR5 – price 3300e
https://www.dell.com/en-ie/work/shop/laptops/precision-7740-build-your-own/spd/precision-17-7740-laptop/xctop7740emea?configurationid=43408215-cee1-42a9-a6f4-01f236b26e4c
If you have choice between all of them which one would you pick?
If you have a choice between 1 and 3?
If you have choice between 1 and 2?
I am wondering is it better to go with Dell Precision because there are more optimized for performance , they have Dell Optimizer which is a built-in, AI-based optimization software, ISV certification to ensure that high-performance applications run smoothly, more energy efficiency etc.
I would appreciate your opinion.
I would go with the Dell Alienware M17 with GeForce RTX 2070 Super because it has a much better card compared to the other two.
Thank you very much for your time and comment. I really appreciate it.
And if you have a choice between:
1) gaming Dell Alienware M17 with GeForce RTX 2070 Super – price 3020euros
https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/gaming-and-games/new-alienware-m17/spd/alienware-m17-r3-laptop/n00awm17r307?configurationid=f18f4403-899c-4003-a87b-f8865646c7eb#ratings_section
and
2)Dell Precision 7740 with Nvidia Quadro RTX 4000 w/8GB GDDR6 – price 4100e
https://www.dell.com/en-ie/work/shop/cty/pdp/spd/precision-17-7740-laptop/xctop7740emea?cartitemid=341856df-3a33-4313-b8d0-58b9804138f1&ref=carconfigedittitle&configurationid=8a5dcd81-09cd-4263-a356-c94ffc9dbdbb
Still Dell Alienware M17
Hello, love the article, but i just have a quick question, would a GTX 1660 Super be as good / better than a Quadro 2000 5Go for work applications ? I’m building a workstation PC for someone and am more knowledgeable on Gaming than Work for GPU’s.
Wich one would be better ? If the Quadro is better, would the difference be noticeable (since the Quadro is twice as expensive)
Thank you in advance for taking your time to reply !
Did you mean Quadro P2000?
Yes sorry i meant Quadro P2000
For purely workstation purpose, I think it is better to go with the Quadro P2000 as it will perform better.
Hey Akhsat, I am building my own computer for the first time in many years, Will be using 3 – 32″ 4k monitors for my forex trading computer. Need some help with the gpu. Not sure which way to go. Something like a quardro p1000 or maybe a gtx 1660. I will NOT be doing any gaming at all. Just trading software, office apps and streaming like youtube and news feeds. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Any other recommendations regarding my build are also welcome. Was going to go with Amd ryzen 9 3900x or ryzen 7 3800x.
Thanks, George
I think GTX 1660 is a better option as it is more powerful and is built on the newer and advanced architecture. It will also help you stream better. For CPU, I think Ryzen 7 3800X is enough for your work.
Hi Akshat, thanks for your article. it is really good.
I am buying a laptop to use 3D CAD software as AutoCAD and inventor. I have two options and I would like to have your opinion. RAM and hard drive are the same.
Thanks, Wilmer
option 1 – gamer
10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H (12MB Cache, up to 5.0 GHz, 6 cores)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 8GB GDDR6 with Max-Q Design
option 2 – workstations
11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 (4C / 8T, 2.8 / 4.7GHz, 12MB)
NVIDIA Quadro T500 4GB GDDR6
I would prefer option 1 because it is much faster and should not have any issues with the CAD software.
will amd firepro v5800 good for GTA 5 and PUBG Mobile Emulator for core 2 quad pc
if not then give me alternates for budget gaming
I’m getting this card in low price
Good for 900p/1080p gaming at medium settings for GTA 5.
Hi Akshat,
Thank you for this great article. I’ve also learnt a lot from reading through the comments. Would really appreciate it if you had the time to answer mine as well!
I’m looking for a laptop to work with CAD, BIM and Adobe programs (E.g. ArchiCAD/AutoCAD, Revit, Photoshop/InDesign) for architecture studies. I plan on mostly having it connected to monitors, but also using it as a regular laptop. In addition to school work, I would love to be able to play games on it (E.g. Minecraft, Cyber Punk, Elden Ring), also connected to monitors.
I’ve found two hp computers at about the same price tag:
Hp Zbook Firefly
Intel® Core™ i7-1255U
NVIDIA T550 graphics
32 GB DDR5 RAM
512 GB SSD
HP Envy
Intel® Core™ i7-12700H
GeForce RTX 3060
32 GB DDR5 RAM
1 TB SSD
How do you think the i7-1255U + T550 and the i7-12700H + RTX 3060 would perform when used for CAD/BIM/Adobe and gaming? Which do you think would best suit my needs?
Have a nice day!
HP Envy with Core i7-12700H and RTX 3060 is definitely much more powerful and will be better for both gaming and work (CAD/Adobe etc.). The only advantage HP Zbook Firefly has is energy efficiency and better battery backup because Core i7-1255U is an energy-efficient Intel Processor.
Thank you, Akshat, for a very well thought out and researched article. It’s still relevant years later. I’ve been in IT since 1995 and I’m sure I easily knew the difference between the two types of cards of some point but had completely forgotten until your well written article brought it all back to me, thank you.
I’m working with DaVinci Resolve 18 and wanted to check on graphic card options for myself. I have an NVidia GEForce 550 ti and 8GB in the desktop and I’m thinking I need to upgrade both to use the program based on the system requirements. Any thoughts?
Please specify your system specs and budget for the graphics card.