Why Are Quadro Cards So Expensive? (12 Reasons Explained)
Quadro stands at the top of the list for professional graphics cards for desktop workstations. Anyone who has used a Quadro card knows how vital they are to editing and productivity. Simulations that kept researchers and designers waiting overnight can now be viewed in a few hours.
Quadro cards are highly-priced because they run on high-performance drivers that support rendering accuracy over performance. The cards offer a high level of stability in professional workstations. They come with unique features which other models do not provide.
Nvidia’s Quadro cards have been the choice of professionals in 3D rendering, CAD/CAM, oil and gas exploration, animation and film production, scientific research, media transcoding, and other industries.
Why Are Quadro Cards So Expensive?
Quadro cards are expensive because they have more features suitable for professional use.
Nvidia manufactured Quadro cards to perform various tasks for several different industries. They were designed for workstations, servers, and rendering/graphics design. Each card comes equipped with a powerful graphics processing unit (GPU) and memory.
High-Performance Drivers
The primary reason why Quadro cards are so overpriced is because of the drivers. These drivers are designed to provide optimum performance and a high level of stability, which is very important in the professional setting.
The professional drivers also have a better support system and offer many more options that are not available on consumer cards. For instance, if you buy a GeForce card and would like to enable dual-monitor support, you need to download another application, like nView, to allow you to perform this task.
With Quadro cards, this functionality comes standard with the driver software provided by NVIDIA.
More Memory
Quadro cards have more memory than their consumer counterparts, which is why they cost more. The extra memory allows the card to handle complex calculations without slowing down or crashing.
The additional memory also provides an advantage to professionals who need to work with large files and complicated models regularly.
Specific Render Tasks
Rendering is some form of image synthesis that enables the detection of visible surfaces. It converts a 3D model into a realistic image. And because Quadro cards favor rendering accuracy over performance, they allow you to use advanced graphics processing techniques to create complex effects in your work.
For example, if you want to create some glow effects in your work, you might only be able to do this with Quadro cards. This is because the cards can handle complex calculations that are not possible on standard graphics cards.
Another reason why Quadro cards favor rendering accuracy over accuracy is that they have more memory than their consumer counterparts.
Extreme Power
When it comes to extreme performance, a Quadro is simply without equal. The Quadro 6000, for example, is the fastest graphics card that exists. The only thing that can come close to it is a Tesla card or a GeForce Titan Z.
Quadro cards are designed to efficiently handle even the most demanding tasks, allowing professionals to focus on their work instead of their computer’s performance.
Double Precision Calculations
Most consumer graphics cards do not natively support double precision. This is true for the GeForce series. Quadro cards, on the other hand, do support double-precision calculations.
Double precision is used in scientific research and digital content creation (DCC).
Professional Features
Quadro cards offer more professional features than consumer cards. It has features such as,
- Multi-monitor support
- Quadro Sync (hardware-based frame synchronization)
- Multiple GPU support (SLI)
- AutoCAD and Revit certified drivers for compatibility with these applications.
- Customizable hotkeys and shortcuts for use within AutoCAD and Revit allow you to perform certain functions without leaving the application or minimizing it.
These features are handy when working in a professional environment where time is money! If you take too long performing tasks like changing the material color in AutoCAD, it could cost your company money and man-hours!
A good example of this is how most CAD applications have multiple menus that one must go through just to change a material’s color! With Quadro cards, you can access the menus via hotkeys or shortcuts. It makes an otherwise lengthy process extremely fast and efficient!
Durability
Quadro cards are generally designed for maximum durability and longevity. However, that is not to say that they are completely indestructible.
They can be damaged by improper use and care. For example, dropping a PC with a Quadro card inside of it will likely cause damage to the card. It is crucial to ensure that your PC’s chassis is well ventilated and adequately secured within its case.
The most common way a Quadro card can fail due to operator error (besides improper use) is by overheating. Overheating can occur due to poor airflow and overclocking.
Professional Support
The Quadro line of graphics cards is supported by professionals who know what they’re doing. The drivers are stable, and the hardware is sturdy; hence overall performance is top-notch.
If you have any issues with your Quadro card, you can easily contact NVIDIA’s professional support team. They know their stuff! You can also reach them by phone if you prefer to talk to a human being instead of using online forms or email.
Professional Vs. Consumer Cards: What’s the Difference?
The primary difference between consumer cards and professional cards lies in the drivers used by both the consumer cards and those used by pro cards.
These drivers are software applications used to communicate with specialized hardware inside your computer, such as the graphics card found on motherboards.
Another notable difference is that consumer graphics cards generally have less memory than their professional counterparts. They dramatically reduce the ability of the system to handle large files.
Can You Use Quadro For Gaming?
Yes, you can use Quadro cards for gaming! Most games are not optimized to take advantage of these professional features, but a Quadro may suit you if you want to get some extra performance out of your card.
The only issue is that the cards present low value for gamers. Since you won’t be taking advantage of the specialized features, you’ll lose out on such a high price tag.
For example, you can find a GeForce GTX 970 for about $300, while Quadro cards cost $500 and $1500. But if you are using a professional application like AutoCAD or SolidWorks, you could leverage the extra features of Quadro cards.
But if you’re just a gamer looking to get the best bang for your buck, I’d recommend checking out more affordable consumer cards like GeForce and Radeon.
In Summary
Quadro cards tend to be more expensive than consumer graphics cards because they offer more features and support. They are best used in workstations and professional applications like AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
The future of Quadro cards looks bright. With the increasing need for 4K and 8K resolution displays in professional applications, the demand for powerful graphics cards will only increase.