I guess I'm just Stupid

[TheGreatSatan]

Why does this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195061) Video Card cost over $900??

[xRyokenx]

It's a workstation card... but it doesn't seem too special, it has specs that are similar to my 3870... o0

Who knows? lol

[OvRiDe]

That is referred to as a Workstation video adapter, it is used for high end graphic stations, that do video rendering or 3D Graphics rendering. Notice it has 320 stream processors, where most higher end gaming video cards have 128 or less. If you think 900+ is bad, check out this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195055)one.

Edit.. Wow, I don't look at ATI much, but appears that 3870 has 320x2 stream processors!

[crenn]

Also the BIOS is different, and also the drivers.

[nevermind1534]

So it's $900 for the same reason that quadros are?

[rendermandan]

Actually the main difference between workstation graphics and gaming graphics cards is the drivers written for them. The are basically the same cards except the drivers for the Workstation class are written for OpenGL graphics. A workstation card would do "Alright" in a gaming environment but will outshine a gaming card when it comes to 3d Studio Max, and Solidworks.

[xRyokenx]

So could you flash the BIOS on them and do some reprogramming or whatever to get a gaming card to "become" a workstation card?

[nevermind1534]

I know that you can do this to make some geforce cards quadro cards. I'd imagine that it would void your warranty, though.

[xRyokenx]

I'd imagine that it would void your warranty, though.

Same here, lol.

[haha49]

I know that you can do this to make some geforce cards quadro cards. I'd imagine that it would void your warranty, though.


but price wise who cares you just throw it away..

[Spawn-Inc]

another thing is work station cards have alot of memory but i doubt that you can just flash the cards to change it from a workstation to gaming card. maybe on some but for the most part i would think not.

[Crazy Buddhist]

I think the main difference with this one is the graphics outputs. It has an industry first:


ATI FireGL V7700 Graphics Card, PCI Express, 512MB - 100-505505

* PCI Express Slot
* Video output via DVI-I, Component video, VGA


This high end workstation solution with 512 MB frame buffer memory is the industry’s first 3D workstation graphics accelerator to feature a DisplayPort output. With a full 10-bit display pipeline, the ATI FireGL V7700 is ideally suited for applications that benefit from accurate color reproduction and superior visual quality.

Based on a new generation GPU with 320 unified shader units, the ATI FireGL V7700 ultra parallel processing architecture maximizes throughput by automatically directing graphics horsepower where it’s needed. Intelligent management of computational resources
enables enhanced utilization of the GPU to enable real-time rendering of complex models
and scenes while increasing frame rate performance when animating.

The ATI FireGL V7700 features a DisplayPort output and a Dual Link DVI output, together
generating amulti-monitor desktop of over 5000 pixels wide. Featuring native multi-accelerator support, users can see more and do more with four displays being driven by two ATI FireGL accelerators in the same workstation. ATI FireGL workstation graphics accelerators are thoroughly tested and certified with major Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Digital Content Creation (DCC) applications, ensuring a level of reliability not found in consumer graphics products.

The FireGL V7700 features Unified Shader Architecture, AutoDetect Technology, full 10-bit Display Pipeline, High Dynamic Range (HDR) Rendering, Multi-View display, full Shader Model 4.0 support, certification, and DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 2.1 Advanced Features.

CrazyB

[crenn]

Reported.

[SXRguyinMA]

how about this (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4210667&CatId=28) one :eek:

[progbuddy]

These cards weren't meant for AI and other special effects for gaming. They are strictly for flat-out rendering, lighting, shading, and postprocessing. That's why they fly through Sony Vegas, but have trouble pushing some games (the games that require AI support push to the CPU, which stresses to crank it out, unless you have 2 quad-core Xeons and a Skulltrail mobo. XD).