Conclusions

Sadly we would have liked to have shown you more today, though as time really was completely against us and we only had a short few days to complete all from fresh.    What is conclusive; is that the base line tests from SPECviewperf® 10.0 have returned substantial amounts of indisputable results for the AMD's FireGL V3600 which is exceptional for an entry level professional card.  

To complete all of the tests on the systems does take considerable amounts of time to accomplish. As a point of note and this is not for the faint hearted; it can take at least a full 3 – 4 hours to properly complete a complete “run all tests” of SPECviewperf® 10.0 depending on the system and professional graphic’s card under test.   Taking these facts this into account, it therefore takes a full 2 days to completely set up each system and run the benchmark correctly.    We do rerun the test several times after to ensure that the first out results contain no anomalies.

However, it does feed back to the end users considerable amounts of information for digestion especially within the Composites and Multisampling Results.   The results that have been shown on this review are from the benchmarks first run in accordance with the SPECviewperf® fair play rules.  Not the average of 3 or so runs as some places seem to think is right.

The technology uptake that AMD’s FireGL has brought to the fore most certainly is the most comprehensive release of new professional graphic cards.   As a rule cards of this nature from either camp are staggered out over a strategic set period.   Not so in this instance and we must applaud AMD’s FireGL team for getting all right first time around.   It has been a magnificent achievement to bring so much out enhanced high quality technology in one swift move.    Analysts and investors alike, now extremely pleased at the aggressive approach taken and the market share recovery with these exceptional products.

Shown previously are the most interesting points of the new SPECviewperf® 10.0 benchmark.  With the addition of the Excel charts gives you the reader that much better idea on how much difference is between these 2 products shown today!   

To reiterate in a more precise manner; for those in doubt,

Availability and pricing of the cards!   Both AMD FireGL V3600 and NVIDIA Quadro FX 570 are now currently shipping from distributors, current MRSP of each card is:

*AMD FireGL V3600 Currently (*See note below) – £149.00 UK Pounds, $292.75 US Dollars or 207.1 Euros (All prices are Ex. VAT and Shipping)
*From 1st December 2007 UK Pricing will drop to £139.00 UK Pounds Ex Vat and Shipping

NVIDIA Quadro FX 570 – £139.00 UK Pounds, 273.11 US Dollars or 183.23 Euros (All prices are Ex. VAT and Shipping)

Take into consideration and the quoted price performance points and known price cut due, we have to seriously think about which card when buying a new system or upgrading.     It goes without saying that AMD's aggressive pricing and performance attitude shows just how much more of the market they want back.   Bang for Buck the results shown above do prove AMD have what it takes and within the bitterly fought key positions of MAX, MAYA and SW in this stringent test, it clearly does demonstrate this important leap forward.   It also does not take a mathematician to formulate out the answer………………………………………..….the irrefutable results shown here today verbalize volumes.

The gauntlet which has thrown down from AMD’s FireGL Team to NVIDIA which has now been picked up.   NVIDIA are coming back, though they are still behind!   Entry level professional workstation cards are solid cash cows for both AMD and NVIDIA and rely upon major OEM & VAR sales in this area.    So the points gained within SPEC and independent reviews can mean either considerable gains or loses at these mission critical levels.  Many important eyes watch results of this magnitude.

In the past NVIDIA just about cleared the board here with the full remit of “Editors Choice” awards for their new Professional Graphic Cards.   Now the AMD FireGL Team are dominating the board.   My on how times have changed, and it’s very difficult to believe this could happen, seeing the roles being completely reversed.     2 of 4 levels now remain firmly within AMD’s grip.   Over the coming weeks we will see what happens within the remaining levels. 

Finally, that every so precious diamond studded golden crown in the professional graphic card arena which was powerfully in the grasp of NVIDIA’s claw now is being ripped back, stage by stage.

To reiterate: -    Next please gentlemen………and please take note of the Fair Play Rules and Gentlemanly conduct.

www.3dprofessor.org award for the AMD’s FireGL V3600 ENTRY LEVEL
Professional Workstation Card

Page 1 - Introduction
Page 2 - System Set-up and Software Used
Page 3 - SPECviewperf® 10.0 Multithread Results
Page 4 - SPECviewperf® 10.0 FSAA Results
Page 5 - SPECviewperf® 10.0 run_all Results
Page 6 - Conclusions