Best GPUs for Stable Cascade and Diffusion - 2024
TLDRKevin from pixel.com reviews the best GPUs for running stable Cascade and stable diffusion models in 2024. He emphasizes that Cascade's requirements are more demanding than diffusion's and suggests starting with 12 GB VRAM for GeForce cards. Kevin recommends the RTX 3060 12 GB, the RTX 4060 16 GB, and the RTX 4060 Ti Super for their performance and value, while noting that the RTX 4090 with 24 GB VRAM is ideal for handling large Cascade models. He also mentions upcoming stable diffusion 3 with models ranging from 800 million to 8 billion parameters.
Takeaways
- 😀 Kevin from pixel.com discusses the best GPUs for Stable Cascade and Diffusion in 2024.
- 🔧 Stable Cascade is a model from Stability AI with higher requirements than current versions of Stable Diffusion.
- 💡 Initially, Stability AI suggested 20 GB of VRAM for Stable Cascade, but testing has reduced this requirement to 12 GB for GeForce gaming cards.
- 🛠️ Kevin's course for Stable Cascade emphasizes the need for efficient memory management and workflows adaptable to lower memory capacities.
- 📈 Community members have started creating third-party models for Stable Cascade, some of which can be very large, exceeding 34 GB for Stage C.
- 💻 The largest Stable Cascade files from Stability AI are 14.4 GB, which can work with 12 GB graphics cards but not recommended for 8 GB cards for optimal performance.
- 💰 Amazon offers a layaway scheme for purchasing GPUs in installments, which can be useful for managing costs.
- 🚀 The first GPU recommendation is the RTX 3060 12 GB variant, which is suitable for processing larger models despite being an older card.
- 🌐 Maxon, a new company from China, offers a more expensive but well-reviewed three-fan GPU solution.
- 💡 For those willing to spend more, the 16 GB variant of the RTX 4060 provides better performance with more CUDA cores and VRAM.
- 🔄 The MSI Gaming X Slim card offers 16 GB of VRAM with faster speeds but at a higher cost, including better cooling and quieter operation.
- 🏆 The RTX 4090 24 GB is recommended for handling very large Stable Cascade models and is considered the best for gaming cards capable of Stable Diffusion.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video by Kevin from pixel.com?
-The main topic of the video is recommendations for graphics cards suitable for stable Cascade and stable diffusion, focusing on the requirements and differences between the two AI models.
What is stable Cascade and how does it differ from stable diffusion?
-Stable Cascade is a model from Stability AI that is similar to stable diffusion in some ways but has its own unique features and is more challenging in terms of requirements. It is treated as a completely different software from stable diffusion.
What is the original VRAM requirement suggested by Stability AI for stable Cascade?
-Stability AI originally suggested a requirement of 20 GB of VRAM for stable Cascade.
Can the VRAM requirement for stable Cascade be lowered, and if so, what is the minimum recommended by Kevin?
-Yes, the VRAM requirement can be lowered. Kevin has tested and recommends a minimum of 12 GB of VRAM for GeForce gaming cards.
What does Kevin suggest regarding the use of smaller variants of stable Cascade models to lower VRAM requirements?
-Kevin mentions that smaller variants may decrease the final output quality, and he has not done all the testing on these variants. He prefers to use the large files provided by Stability AI for higher quality.
What is the expected parameter range for the upcoming stable diffusion 3 models?
-The expected parameter range for stable diffusion 3 models is from 800 million to 8 billion parameters.
Which graphics card is the first recommendation made by Kevin for processing larger models?
-The first recommendation is the RTX 3060 12 GB variant.
What is special about the Maxon graphics card mentioned in the video?
-The Maxon graphics card is a three-fan solution from a new company in China, which has received positive feedback on Amazon and offers a unique design with purple accents on the box.
What is the difference between the RTX 3060 12 GB and the RTX 4060 16 GB in terms of performance and VRAM?
-The RTX 4060 16 GB has more CUDA cores and 4 GB more VRAM than the RTX 3060 12 GB, making it a more powerful card for processing tasks in stable diffusion and Cascade.
Why does Kevin recommend considering the RTX 4060 TI 16 GB over the entry-level RTX 3060 12 GB?
-Kevin recommends the RTX 4060 TI 16 GB because it offers more performance with additional CUDA cores and memory, and it's only a $100 difference, providing better value for the price.
What is the highest-end graphics card recommended in the video for handling very large models from Cascade?
-The highest-end graphics card recommended is the RTX 4090 with 24 GB of VRAM.
What are Kevin's thoughts on using the RTX 4090 for training AI models?
-While the RTX 4090 is very powerful, Kevin suggests that there may be better cards available for training AI models, although it remains the top recommendation for gaming cards that can handle stable diffusion.
Outlines
🖥️ Graphics Card Recommendations for Stable Cascade and Diffusion
Kevin from pixel.com discusses the requirements for graphics cards to run Stable Cascade, a model from Stability AI that is distinct from but related to Stable Diffusion. He emphasizes the higher memory requirements for Cascade, noting that while Stability AI suggests 20 GB of VRAM, he has been able to reduce this to 12 GB through testing with GeForce gaming cards. Kevin also touches on the possibility of using smaller variants of the model to reduce VRAM usage, at the potential cost of output quality. He mentions the release of Stable Diffusion 3 with a wide range of parameter sizes and provides initial recommendations for graphics cards suitable for these AI models, including the RTX 3060 12 GB variant.
🛒 Exploring Graphics Card Options and Their Features
The script continues with an exploration of different graphics card options, including the RTX 3060 12 GB, which is noted for its popularity and ongoing demand despite being a revised model with unclear updates. It also mentions the Maxon card from China, which, while more expensive, offers a three-fan solution and positive feedback on Amazon. Kevin suggests that for those looking for better performance without breaking the bank, the 16 GB variant of the RTX 4060 could be a good choice, offering more CUDA cores and VRAM at a slightly higher price point. He also discusses the affordability and performance of the Zotac card, the cooling advantages of three-fan cards like the MSI gaming card, and the features of the MSI gaming X slim card, including its noiseless operation at lower temperatures due to its Frozr technology.
💰 Pricing and Availability of Advanced Graphics Cards
The final paragraph delves into the pricing and availability of higher-end graphics cards, such as the RTX 4060 TI Super and the RTX 480 Super Gaming X Trio, which offer more power at a relatively reasonable price compared to the RTX 4080. Kevin highlights the difficulty of obtaining these cards in the United States due to high demand and inflated prices, while in the UK, they seem to be more reasonably priced. He also discusses the RTX 490, which, despite its high performance, may not be the ideal choice for training due to potentially better-suited alternatives. The paragraph concludes with a mention of a previous video that covers professional cards, those with more than 24 GB of VRAM, and Apple options, providing a resource for viewers interested in more powerful cards for various applications.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Stable Cascade
💡Stable Diffusion
💡Graphics Cards (GPUs)
💡VRAM
💡Parameter Files
💡Third-Party Models
💡Revisions
💡Cuda Cores
💡Memory Bandwidth
💡Power Supply
💡RTX 4090
Highlights
Kevin from pixel.com discusses the best GPUs for Stable Cascade and Diffusion in 2024.
Stable Cascade is a model from Stability AI with different requirements compared to Stable Diffusion.
The original recommendation for Stable Cascade is 20 GB of VRAM, reduced to 12 GB through testing.
Stable AI suggests that VRAM requirements can be lowered by using smaller variants of the model.
Community members have started producing third-party models for Stable Cascade.
Some Stable Cascade models can be as large as 34 GB, affecting VRAM requirements.
Stability AI's largest Stable Cascade files are 14.4 GB for Stage C.
Workflows for 12 GB graphics cards have been adapted to work with 8 GB cards.
Amazon offers a layaway scheme for purchasing GPUs in installments.
Stable Diffusion 3 is upcoming with models ranging from 800 million to 8 billion parameters.
The first GPU recommendation is the RTX 3060 12 GB variant.
Maxon is a new company offering a three-fan GPU solution with good feedback.
The RTX 4060 16 GB variant is recommended for better performance over the RTX 3060.
The Zotac card is almost certainly the cheapest base price for the RTX 4060 16 GB.
MSI offers a three-fan variant of the RTX 4060 with better cooling and quieter operation.
The RTX 4060 Ti Super is a more powerful option with increased CUDA cores and memory bandwidth.
The MSI RTX 480 Super Gaming X Trio is a powerful and cost-effective option.
The RTX 4090 at 24 GB is the top recommendation for handling large Stable Cascade models and SDXL.
For more options, including professional cards and those with more than 24 GB of VRAM, a link to a previous video will be provided.