LightScape

The LightScape Visualization System uses advanced physical lighting model algorithms to deliver fully realistic lighting in 3D scenes. The appropriate SPECViewperf scenario includes both wire models and models with smooth shading. Its geometrically most complex frame contains a total of 2.8 million vertexes.

The Radeon HD 2900 XT performs well enough yet is no better than the Radeon X1950 XTX despite all of its architectural improvements and innovations. The GeForce 8800 GTS is on the losing side, but the average speeds of the cards is only within 13-16fps.

Maya

This 3D modeling suite is used widely for creating special effects in movies and in games development, too. This SPECViewperf scenario uses a lot of models, the most complex of which has over 16 million vertexes and uses texturing. This is a heavy load even for a professional graphics card specifically optimized for such work.

Yielding over 25fps, the GeForce 8800 GTX regains the lead, but the Radeon X1950 XTX has a good result, too. The Radeon HD 2900 XT cannot reach a speed of 20fps even – due to its imperfect driver, again.

Pro/ENGINEER

Widely employed in modern industry, the Pro/ENGINEER software is a tool for computer-aided design of mechanical components. This test scenario contains models with a complexity from 485 thousand to 5.9 million vertexes.

The Radeon HD 2900 XT is a loser again with a speed of less than 5fps. The GeForce 8800 GTX can yield a mere 11fps in this test, though.

Ordinary gaming graphics cards, even the most advanced ones, seem to be no match to professional graphics hardware. You can hardly hope to save your money on the graphics card you want to run professional software on.