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Multiple Video Cards or One Big card?

bueller1998_df4ca4b697bueller1998_df4ca4b697 Posts: 161
in Technical Help (nuts n bolts)

I just bought a GTX 970 Video Card with 4gb Memory and 1664 CUDA cores. I wasn't aware when I bought it that that scenes that exceeded 4gb memory would revert to my processor only.

Should I get a seocond identical card? Or a second larger card? Or a single larger card and try to return the first card? If I get a second identical card, will that double the amount of memory the system can handle before it kicks it back to the processor only for rendoring? Will there be software updates in the future so this won't happen?

This card is still in the $400 range.

Comments

  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001
    bueller1998_df4ca4b697 said:
     If I get a second identical card, will that double the amount of memory the system can handle before it kicks it back to the processor only for rendoring? W

    No...memory does not 'stack'...CUDA cores, on the other hand, do stack, so an identical card would double the number of cores processing the scenes that fit.

     

    bueller1998_df4ca4b697 said:
     Will there be software updates in the future so this won't happen?

     

    Probably not...Nvidia is a video card manufacturerl, first and formost, so a software solution is not in their best interest.  That said, there are reports that at some time, maybe with the next generation of chips, that a hardware stacking solution will be possible.

  • bueller1998_df4ca4b697bueller1998_df4ca4b697 Posts: 161

    So wouold it be best to return the card and get a card with the most memory and Cuda cores?

    Or how can you monitor to keep your scenes under 4gb?

  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001

    Basically, your next jump up in memory amount is going to be a huge jump in price...

    The Nvidia Control should show you how much memory is being used.

    Also, a lower spec second card or using the onboard video (1 GB is fine) that is dedicated to running your monitors will maximise the amount of memory available for rendering.

  • bueller1998_df4ca4b697bueller1998_df4ca4b697 Posts: 161

    Would you be able to give me an estimate of how much memory a 3 G3 character scene with a fairly realistic Iray would run? You can use an example of anything you use, or currently I am using Sasha, Natasha, Gillian skins along with Christina hair, Leyton hair. For scenes, I'm using the Dance Studio, some of the Contemporary New Living rooms and Bedrooms and School scenes.

    I'm still in my video card return window, and I want to make sure I have the right stuff.  A few hundred dollars more if it will save an hour per render is well worth it i I'm just coming back to rendering after some time away, so I'm trying to wrap my head around all this stuff again.

    Thanks so much for the help!!!!

  • WendyLuvsCatzWendyLuvsCatz Posts: 38,206

    a 980ti has 6GB VRAM and is quite nice, I have one

    next option is Titan X with 12GB VRAM and very dear

  • bueller1998_df4ca4b697bueller1998_df4ca4b697 Posts: 161

    Yeah I was just looking at the Titan. They are under $1000 now. 3077 CUDA.

  • mmitchell_houstonmmitchell_houston Posts: 2,484

    Do you guys know a good link/source for info on setting up my monitor on one card and my renderer on another? I'm seriously considering this option for my next purchase.

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