CPU Vs GFX Card, what processes what?

geoff6

Hi all,

As I understand it, when rendering an image or animation sequence, images rendered while they are visible on the screen are processed by the GFX Card. If the image is minimised during the render, it is processed by the CPU, in my case an intel i5.

Is this correct? Can resources be maximised for either?

I ask this as part of my considering the purchase of a GTX980 graphic card.

Thanks in advance,

G

Richard Haseltine

No. 3Delight always uses the CPU, the various OpenGL modes always use the video chip. Iray will, if you set it to, try to use the (nVidia) GPU but if you tell it to use the CPU only or if it runs out of video memory it will use the CPU. You shouldn't minimise the window while using OpenGL modes, otherwise it ought not to matter or make a difference.

JimmyC_2009

Are you referring to DAZ Studio?

DS4.7 (Current Release Version)
If so, there are several options in the Render Settings for the render engine. When using OpenGl or Intermediate OpenGL, DS uses your GPU (Graphics card)

When the 3Delight render engine is selected, DS uses your CPU, and CPU only, the Graphics card plays no part in the render.

DS4.8 (Beta)
This version of DS has another option 'NVidia IRay' and it can use GPU only (assuming you have an NVidia Graphics Card) or GPU + CPU, or CPU only.

If you don't have an NVidia card, the render engine will use CPU only by default.

Does that help?

XPost again Richard :)

geoff6

Thanks Jimmy and Richard

I have a clear picture of what is doing what now.

Thank you for your time. I have to get my head around Iray before I start using it for animation but in the meantime, these tips will help a lot when planning my upgrades.

All the best,

G