Mac Pro GPU 5xx vs 7xxx

[MacMilligan]

I'm putting together a parts list for a build that I am going to be doing soon. Right now I am using a sandy bridge based hackintosh and want to switch to a Mac Pro since I am now using the computer for real work.

My work load is Cheetah3D, CS6 suite, Unity, Xcode, and encoding programs. I'm currently using an Nvidia 640 and it chugs when trying to use the OpenGL view in Cheetah3D with large scenes. I believe Cheetah3D uses the CPU to perform the render, but I'm not worried about that since I only use Cheetah3D to create the models and export them to Unity.

I also need decent performance for OpenCL/CUDA tasks which CS6 uses.

My options at the moment are either an Nvidia 760 or a used 580. It is my understanding that the 580 is better for CUDA and OpenCL, but I don't know the magnitude of the difference. From what I have seen, the 760 is faster in OpenGL/DirectX rendering.

What would you guys say the best option is for me?

Thanks

 

[derbothaus]

580 with additional power or even 570 with 2x6 pin the Mac Pro delivers.
7xx is not worth anything for CUDA until you get to 780. 770 is just slightly faster 680 and the entire kepler line is CUDA hobbled for how fast the directX and openGL is. Nvidia is not making it easy these days. Get AMD if OpenCL is what you need primarily. GPU market is ridiculous.

 

[MacMilligan]

570 might be all I need. It may be worth getting an AMD since the new Mac Pro will be using those.

 

[derbothaus]

570 might be all I need. It may be worth getting an AMD since the new Mac Pro will be using those.

But no CUDA on AMD. OpenCL only.
Apple is not in the business to help users get the most out of Adobe products. The move to AMD is to benefit Final Cut X. If this is not your app of choice, I would do the Nvidia as it supports both technologies.

 

[thekev]

570 might be all I need. It may be worth getting an AMD since the new Mac Pro will be using those.

Some CS6 stuff will probably never run or run well on AMD. That's because some of what Adobe implements is developed by NVidia. An example would be the After Effects raytracer. NVidia does a lot of development for gpu technology, and some of that may never run on AMD hardware. Both can run OpenCL. Which rates better often depends on application, although raw benchmarks seem to favor AMD for Opencl.

 

[MacMilligan]

Thanks for the info. I have a 7770Ghz sitting around, so I will give that a whirl and see how it works. I'll probably get a 570/580 due to the price/performance on them now.