Test Hardware
In order to make a realistic workstation test possible we use current high-end OpenGL graphic cards. NVIDIA is currently the leader in this sector, which is why we have resorted to suitable cards from the Quadro FX model range. Further information on this topic can be found in the article NVIDIA, ATi Bring Five OpenGL Workstation Graphics for PCI Express to Market .
For the AGP tests with the Xeon together with E7505 and Opteron plus AMD's 8000-chipset, a Quadro FX 3000 was used, whereas the PCI-Express System based on the Xeon Nocona and E7525 was equipped with the Quadro FX 3400.
When selecting suitable graphic solutions from among the AGP and PCI Express models respectively, a problem arose: for both types, there are no versions which are technically the same, which would thus make a fair comparison possible. We have thus decided, with a heavy heart, to use the fastest possible model in each category.
NVIDIA Quadro FX 3000 (AGP)
The Quadro FX 3000 of NVIDIA/PNY for AGP 8X. There is still no faster model than the NV35GL with 400 MHz clockspeed.
Quadro FX 3000 cards based on the NV35GL can be purchased for around $ 1,200 in retail stores. While the chip is operated at 400 MHz, it brings the DDR memory up to 425 MHz.
The Quadro FX 3000 works with AGP 8x.
