Workstation GPUs and Oculus Rift

[TeslaK20]

Hi
I am interested in developing for Oculus Rift. My current GPU, a Quadro K4200, does not meet their requirements. I am limited to workstation GPUs, and given that they cost 2 to 3 times as much, I would like to save money as much as possible. I am interested in knowing whether the newer Quadro M4000 would be able to run VR satisfactorily. It is supposed to be technically equivalent to the GTX 970, but I am interested in hearing your expert opinion.

Thanks

 

[Kanan]

I think M4000 would be too slow for VR in the long run, but able to run it nonetheless. But I'm no expert in VR / Quadro cards, I just know that a GTX 970 is the official "minimum" set by Nvidia @ their newest cards. Better get the equivalent of a 980 Ti, then you are on the safe side.

 

[TeslaK20]

I think M4000 would be too slow for VR in the long run, but able to run it nonetheless. But I'm no expert in VR / Quadro cards, I just know that a GTX 970 is the official "minimum" set by Nvidia @ their newest cards. Better get the equivalent of a 980 Ti, then you are on the safe side.

The equivalent of a GTX 980 Ti is a Quadro M6000, which costs $5000;

 

[Kanan]

The equivalent of a GTX 980 Ti is a Quadro M6000, which costs $5000;

I was afraid that you would say that. What about the GTX 980 (2048 shader) equivalent? If the cost is not much higher than the M4000 it would be a good choice too.

 

[TeslaK20]

Well, the GTX 980 equivalent should be a M5000, but for some reason that is not on oculus's list, even though the inferior AMD W8100 is. The crazy thing is, there was a new Quadro m6000 sold for around 1200 dollars last night in an ebay auction. I bid, but some guy stole it in the last 7 seconds.

 

[blibba]

Is it Oculus development itself that you need a workstation card for?

I was thinking you could run a secondary card for VR (perhaps a GTX 980), while keeping your workstation card for professional applications.

I also know that it used to be possible to bios hack "gaming" cards to their quadro equivalents, but I'm not sure where that stands these days.

 

[Kanan]

Well, the GTX 980 equivalent should be a M5000, but for some reason that is not on oculus's list, even though the inferior AMD W8100 is. The crazy thing is, there was a new Quadro m6000 sold for around 1200 dollars last night in an ebay auction. I bid, but some guy stole it in the last 7 seconds.

Ah shit that's bad luck, next time try to bid in the very last second, I do it every time, works. Maybe you get another good deal - good luck with it.

 

[silentbogo]

Which headset do you have? DK2 or already got your CV1?
For DK2 your GPU will do just fine. CV1 has a higher resolution, so while you can still use it, you'll be at a bit of performance disadvantage. If your Rift project is not heavy or graphics-intense, then you'll be just fine.
I do own a DK1, but I had a chance to try DK2 on my current rig: GTX 750Ti was able to run smoothly quite a few games in stereoscopic 3D, even with a third-party software layer for non-3D games (like Fallout: New Vegas).

 

[TeslaK20]

Which headset do you have? DK2 or already got your CV1?
For DK2 your GPU will do just fine. CV1 has a higher resolution, so while you can still use it, you'll be at a bit of performance disadvantage. If your Rift project is not heavy or graphics-intense, then you'll be just fine.
I do own a DK1, but I had a chance to try DK2 on my current rig: GTX 750Ti was able to run smoothly quite a few games in stereoscopic 3D, even with a third-party software layer for non-3D games (like Fallout: New Vegas).

First of all, I am referring to the consumer edition, in 3D.

Is it Oculus development itself that you need a workstation card for?

I was thinking you could run a secondary card for VR (perhaps a GTX 980), while keeping your workstation card for professional applications.

I also know that it used to be possible to bios hack "gaming" cards to their quadro equivalents, but I'm not sure where that stands these days.

Second, I have considered that option, but wouldn't there be driver issues?

 

[TeslaK20]

Ah shit that's bad luck, next time try to bid in the very last second, I do it every time, works. Maybe you get another good deal - good luck with it.

It seems that just as the M6000 was lost, an AMD w9100 was found. Do any of you have any experience with high-end FirePro cards? I have only used Quadro cards.

 

[Kanan]

It seems that just as the M6000 was lost, an AMD w9100 was found. Do any of you have any experience with high-end FirePro cards? I have only used Quadro cards.

No sorry, but glad you got yourself an easy solution, I think AMD cards are better at VR anyway because of their better to VR suited hardware.