CPU vs GPU

[glorybound]

Heated discussion over on linked in... would you agree, or not?

Do not call me biased. I have used every render solution out there and get paid to consult on different workflows for a living. I love Mental Ray and Vray in their tradition CPU mode. However, I think if you look closely at what I am really saying you will see that I did not say cpu rendering is a thing of the past. I am suggesting that you see the new technology trends and realize just in the last year where GPU power is really going.

Large VFX houses are moving into both GPU clusters for shear rendering power and actual GPU accelerated workflows. CPU rendering is being replaced by GPU rendering, yes. It is an absolute fact. Don't be alarmed but do be prepared. Also I again, did not say GI/AO actually "was crap", just referring to to the process of the old technology of biased rendering and all of the unnecessary settings that make a rendering less physically accurate.

Finally, you have your last point backwards I am afraid. The larger the frame the more power you need and therefore industries are turning TO GPU rendering as they provide incredibly more power that CPU alone. In addition, you are you mistaken to suggest that GPU can not do raytraced or HD output.

Please be careful when you comment so aggressively to read the posts and to look what someone is actually saying. To say I have a lack of understanding is a massive insult to my 17 years of rendering experience across two continents.

[MoonDoggie]

I'll stay out. Sounds more like a shouting match.

[pskdude]

lololololololololol thats funny....

[Alan Iglesias]

Whether it be politics, professional sports teams, or trends in 3D rendering, people just love to speculate - and then argue about it! It seems that many folks do not truly believe in themselves useless they can sucessfully predict the future most of the time.

It's all a waste of time and energy to me. You are much better off spending your time paying close attention to everything that is happening doing lots of reading and research, along with seeking out real people who are actually in the trenches, so-to-speak, for hands-on reports. -And then be open to roll with any changes that may become necessary. It's always been this way, really.

Remember that all GPU rendering really is is direct-call hardware rendering on a much smaller and more affordable platform than it used to be. Of course it's generally quite fast because of all the parallel processing going on with all the multiple cores that can work simultaneously on a single frame or project.

The bottom line is that when it is ready to "take over" (whenever that might be), there will be no doubt and everyone in this industry will know it, no arguing or speculation needed.

-Alan

[MoonDoggie]

It's all a waste of time and energy to me. You are much better off spending your time paying close attention to everything that is happening doing lots of reading and research, along with seeking out real people who are actually in the trenches, so-to-speak, for hands-on reports. -And then be open to roll with any changes that may become necessary. It's always been this way, really.

Completely agree. Speculation about the future is fine. Starting phrases with "I think" or "I believe" are speculative, to me, these are fine and constructive. But when someone (on the internet) says "Do not call me biased (but)..." and says "Don't be alarmed but do be prepared"

Then he is in effect insulting other's experience in their respective fields as well (Just like he criticizes someone else for insulting his 17 years) is just silly. Arguing with people over the internet is just painful.

[PIXELBOX_SRO]

until the GPUs are supplied with at elast 16GB RAM, its a nono for me