Upgrade options - your thoughts?

[particlerealities]

I currently have 3 computers. I'll list the specs below. I want to start using GPU rendering. My two slave computers currently don't work with GPU because they're running via Remote Desktop and the cards are too old. The CPUs are too slow (compared to my new computer), so the rendering is practically finished before they even begin to contribute, if they contribute at all.

I was just given 3 brand new AMD FirePro V7900 cards. They are roughly 5 years old. Should I try to install them on my two slaves? Or, sell them and use the money to buy another GTX 980 Ti to stick in my new computer (#1, below) and do away with my old farm computers? They are of no use in their current state for GPU rendering, and minimally useful for CPU rendering.

(1) Dell Precision 7910 (new)
-Xeon E5-2640 2.60GHz 8 Core (16 logical) whatever that means?
-16 GB RAM
-300 GB SSD
-NVidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti
-NVidia Quadro K4200
-1300W PSU

(2) Dell Precision T3500 (about 5 years old)
-Xeon E5-640 2.67GHz 4 Core
-12 GB RAM
-300 GB Non-SSD
-ATI FirePro V5800
-NVidia GeForce GTX550 Ti

(3) Dell Precision T3500 (about 5 years old)
-Xeon E5-640 2.67GHz 4 Core
-6 GB RAM
-300 GB Non-SSD
-NVidia GeForce GTX550 Ti

[particlerealities]

Maybe my original post was too confusing, but I'd love some feedback...

*****For GPU Rendering*****

Option 1: Upgrade my current workstation with an additional GTX 980 Ti
Option 2: Upgrade my (2) render slaves (5 year old Dell Xeons) with old (and FREE) AMD FirePro V7900 cards. I have 3 of these cards I can use.

[super gnu]

personally id sell the firepros and get another 980.. firstly because its possibly faster than those 3 combined, especially when its running cuda

secondly cos itll use much less power to do the work

thirdly because rt gpu needs lots of ram on host computer, so that kinda rules out your two slaves, unless you can cram the ram from one, into the other, and make one render box for gpus..

[particlerealities]

I'm pretty sure you're right about the speed of the 980 vs three V7900's. I hadn't considered the RAM limitation on the slaves. Good point.

My main hurdle right now is the slave boxes being run via Remote Desktop. To get them to contribute with GPU rendering, I need to eliminate the Remote Desktop connection, which means I'll have to install keyboards, screens and mice, which I'd rather not cram that stuff into my office. Being in an IT managed environment, anything I can do to simplify troubleshooting of the farm, or installing updates, will be a huge plus I think. And I think keeping everything running in CUDA mode vs. OpenCL will be a bonus too.

[super gnu]

is that "cant use rt gpu if you use remote desktop" thing, still a thing? what about if you use teamviewer or one of the other alternatives?

[particlerealities]

As far as I know, yes, it's still an issue. Unless you're using one of the uber expensive cards. Keplar? I don't remember what they (Chaos) said, but my cards didn't qualify for Remote Desktop GPU operability. Regarding using Teamviewer or anything else, I know nothing about that stuff. I'd be willing to learn, but it's my IT guy that would really need to learn about it. Talking to him is about like talking to your mouse... That's why I'd lean towards eliminating the farm and just focusing on upgrade my new box.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hShY6xZWVGE