Graphic Card Dilemma

[Max]

Hi,
I'm about to receive my new computer from PCSpecialist (very excited), here are the main specs:

Processor
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-950 (3.06GHz) 4.8GTs/8MB Cache

Motherboard
ASUS® P6T WS PROFESSIONAL: NEW ERA CORE i7 WORKSTATION

Memory
12GB SAMSUNG DDR3 TRI-DDR3 1333MHz (3 x 4GB)

Graphics Card
1GB ATI RADEON™ HD 5750 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11

1st Hard Disk
160GB Intel® X25-M 2.5" SSD (34nm / upto 250MB/sR | 100MB/sW)***SPECIAL***

2nd Hard Disk
640GB WD CAVIAR GREEN WD6400AARS, SATA 3 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE

Power Supply & Case Cooling
CORSAIR 650W PSU (TX650) 80+ ULTRA QUIET

Now, I had to buy it in a hurry because my PC is playing up a bit and I'm in the middle of a job and I don't want to be let down by the machine halfway without a back up, so I had to cut down some specs compared to what would be my ideal to fit the cash I can afford right now, and that's why I chose the ATI card instead of a Nvidia, which is what I always had.

In my current machine (that is playing up a bit so I plan to wipe out and pass to my daughter) I have a Nvidia Quadro FX 3700, it's not the newest card, but it's not that old either, would it be clever to swap cards?
To finish the picture I use Photoshop, Zbrush and Modo professionally.

Now, I read extensively for years about what card to buy and I'm still none the wiser.
Will I have problems with the ATI card instead of Nvidia?
Would I have done better buying a lower spec Nvidia to fit the budget?
Shall I swap cards on the machines?
Should I save up and buy an up to date Nvidia as a priority?
Or am I just confused and the ATI card I'm getting will do just fine?

Thanks in advance.

 

[PCS]

For professional use of 2D work you would be better using a Quadro card, like the model you currently own. If the FX3700 card you own works perfectly and if it's PCI Express, you could keep this card (as it's still a very expensive card to buy) and put it into your new computer.

See how you get on and what you feel. If you call us in the next 7 days, we will be happy to exchange the card for you if you feel this is necessary.

 

[Max]

Thanks for the advice.
The machine arrived this afternoon, I just finished installing what I need to work and so far, so good, looks like it's working very well, and just in time because the old machine was really letting me down today.
I keep in mind the option to exchange the card within a week thanks, but I doubt I'll have the funds to upgrade the card in time so I may just swap cards between the two computers here if I feel the ATI card doesn't perform to standard.

 

[Nemesis]

how would a card like FX3700 which you say is better for 2d operations cope with ZBrush and Modo (3d programs) though???

EDIT!!! : you would think that, though personally i read magazines such as 3d world and 3d artist (which are for 3d artists in case you didnt realize lol) and they are always advertising the Nvidia FX and the ATI FIREPRO series graphics cards....

 

[Sleinous]

I guess, worse than a 3D Gaming GPU. Best ask Gorman on this one when he's back

 

[Nemesis]

Hope this clears something up LINK
very informative IMO

also from re-reading my Custom PC mag Issue 79 one of the main differences is that the workstation gfx cards come with more support from ATI/Nvidia

 

[Phoenix]

Hope this clears something up LINK
very informative IMO

also from re-reading my Custom PC mag Issue 79 one of the main differences is that the workstation gfx cards come with more support from ATI/Nvidia

Heh I've just subscibed to Custom PC, 3 issues for £1.00 is awesome

 

[Nemesis]

hehe nice ive thought about doing that but never have for some reason. Did you get a freebie with it??
Back to the GFX cards question/Issue i've found this interesting article but its based on Geforce / Quadro FX equivalent cards.
LINK
Will edit in a bit if i find an ATI based article. Tom's hardware really is pretty handy.

EDIT: just realised this does have ATI firepro cards and their mainstream equivalents, just didn't notice before.

 

[Phoenix]

hehe nice ive thought about doing that but never have for some reason. Did you get a freebie with it??

Yeah a free cup!

I'd definitely recommend subscribing to them, 3 issues for £1.00 then £15.99 for every 6 issues saves you a lot of money when they cost £4.50 each in WHSmith and other places. You can even opt out of the deal after the 3 issues so you're still only paying £1.00 but I'm going to keep the subscription as I really like the magazine

http://custompc.subscribeonline.co...._content=sec&utm_campaign=1031_homepage+3for1