Quadro 4000 and physx

Nvidia said:
The minimum requirement to support GPU-accelerated PhysX is a GeForce 8-series or later GPU with a minimum of 32 cores and a minimum of 256MB dedicated graphics memory. However, each PhysX application has its own GPU and memory recommendations. In general, 512MB of graphics memory is recommended unless you have a GPU that is dedicated to PhysX.
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http://www.nvidia.com/object/physx_faq.html#q3

Note: I only see the word "GeForce" in Nvidia's definition of cards able to do PhysX. I do not see the word "Quadro". On the other hand, there is another PhysX FAQ, by overclock.net, here:

http://www.overclock.net/nvidia/589202-faq-physx.html

There they list a number of Quadro cards that do PhysX. So it probably does.

In this thread, I see it mentioned that "Quadro 6000 is more or less a GTX 470 and Quadro 5000 is GTX 465, Quadro 4000 has no gaming equivalent". If it's anywhere near GTX 460 or GTX 450 in terms of PhysX performance, it would do just fine, but I'm just guessing.

They also mention the Quadro 4000 is a $1200 card, so I'm a bit amazed that you would use it for that.
 
One fell out of the sky, and we cant use it at work because it doesnt meet the requriements for what we need. It is just a intellectual exercise, of course....
 
Why would you use it for physX?
I don't see why you couldn't as long as the driver supported it though.
 
vjcsmoke said:
Why would you use it for physX?
I don't see why you couldn't as long as the driver supported it though.
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Right now, I wouldnt. However, we got a new computer in with that card, and that card wont work with our display system. Its locked up in a cabinet. But in about a month we are going to replace 26 computers in that room, and if they send the same video card we will have 26 of them we have to buy another card for and toss this one. I have been told its a different card, but until they show up I cant be sure.

Just wondering what that card can do if we end up having to throw away 26 $800 cards.

And where I work, that wont even be an issue. Insane, I know.
 
Ok so from what I can figure out, the Quadro 4000 is based on GTX 460 architecture with 256 cuda cores. So it is based on relatively modern Fermi architecture with 2GB video memory and a 256 bit memory bus. It should make for a fairly capable GPU compute or workstation card based on these properties. I don't know what applications you use at your workplace so maybe they're not high end enough for what you do, but I'm pretty sure they would be of use to someone.

Maybe your company could donate them to a charity fund for new graphics designers and reap the tax benefits for the value of the charitable donations. *shrugs* Wouldn't mind getting one donated to me. ^_^ That would be a real nice card for hardware accelerated rendering and such.
 
Actually, they are too high end. I have a classroom with a display system that requires vga connectors or DVI-I with converters to VGA. Converting from displayport to VGA is a no-go as far as I can tell. And I cant spend weeks trying to find a compatable converter and then wait more time for them to come in and get installed, I need zero down time when we replace these computers.

But I was promised I would get ATI cards and not Nvidia cards in the next batch of computers. I hope that is true.
 
Have you taken a look at the back of the video card yourself? According to manufacturer specs, it is supposed to have 2 displayport outs and 1x DVI out. A DVI-D out can be made compatible with a vga d-sub with a simple $1 dongle.

I don't know about the exact output configuration of the Radeon workstation cards, but they will likely have DVI outputs as well. So you really should find out what output connectors those Radeon cards come with before you place that mass order or you could be stuck in the same position as with the Nvidia cards, needing to order DVI->VGA dongles.
 
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vjcsmoke said:
Have you taken a look at the back of the video card yourself? According to manufacturer specs, it is supposed to have 2 displayport outs and 1x DVI out. A DVI-D out can be made compatible with a vga d-sub with a simple $1 dongle.

I don't know about the exact output configuration of the Radeon workstation cards, but they will likely have DVI outputs as well. So you really should find out what output connectors those Radeon cards come with before you place that mass order or you could be stuck in the same position as with the Nvidia cards, needing to order DVI->VGA dongles.
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The DVI-I out is no problem at all, I got tons of dongles for that. But its a dual display system, and I cant find a dongle to go from display out to VGA. . I tried display port to DVI-I dongle to VGA converter, it wont work.

Let me tell you a little more about what I have. I have a hardware display system in the classroom where the instructor can display what is on both of his monitors on the monitors of the students and on two 65 inch plasma screens in the front. It, however, is 3-5 years old, maybe older, so all the connectors to it are VGA connectors. It is working now with DVI-I to VGA connectors, but it wont work with two converters in the line.
 
Just to be clear: Displayport to VGA cables (like these) will only work in one direction, from Displayport source to VGA display. If you are attempting to go from a VGA source to a Displayport display, that is a no go without a converter (like these).
 
Ok that appears to be an issue for you then if all your connectors can only be VGA.
It appears that the Quadro 4000 supports 2 digital and only 1 analog connection.

Before switching video cards you might try ordering a direct display port to VGA cable or dongle. Which is about $15-20 at Monoprice.

But if you can't find a displayport to VGA adapter that works you might have to switch to the previous series of workstation card - such as the Quadro FX 5800.
I don't know who does hardware acquisition for you but HP brand Nvidia OEM FX 5800s can be found around $1000 each if you google em, and they come with dual DVI outs.
Radeon Firepros are probably going to present more issues for you as I see that their latest line features 4 displayport outs and 0 DVIs, and the previous generation has 2 DP + 1 DVI just like the 4000 you currently have.
 
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Right after i posted I found approximately the same thing and that is my backup plan. Hopefully the next comptuers will come with the ATI cards promised, but thanks for the back up plan.
 
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