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Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
Our IT manager just upgraded our workstations from 8GB to 16GB of RAM.  Task manager shows only 2.5GB is being used while working with a very large assembly (5000+ components; more RAM is available but not being used.  

Does Windows or SolidWorks need to be "told" that more RAM is available?

Dell Precision T1500
Core i7 processor
16GB RAM
Windows 7, 64bit
SolidWorks 2010 x64 SP 3.1

Thanks

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

SolidWorks does not need to be told.  It uses as much as it needs.

What is your issue with SolidWorks?  What problem did you try to solve by adding more RAM?

What cpu do you have in the T1500?

SolidWorks is cpu bound and gains performance with high clock speed cpu's.

The T1500 are entry level workstations and are typically not spec'ed with higher end Core i7 cpu's.

Cheers,

Anna Wood
Xeon W3680, Nvidia Quadro 4000, 12 Gb RAM, WD Velociraptor, Dell U3011 Monitor
SW2011 SP1, Windows 7 x64
http://www.solidmuse.com
http://www.phxswug.com

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

Does the computer recognise that 16GB of RAM is installed?

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
Yes, the computer recognizes the 16GB of RAM.  The cpu is an Intel Core i7, 860@2.80GHz.   

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
Yes, the computer recognizes the 16GB of RAM.  The cpu is an Intel Core i7, 860@2.80GHz.

My issue with SolidWorks is that it is sloooooowwww when working with an assembly this large.  We were trying to increase the speed with the RAM increase.

Thanks!   

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

Try setting the Virtual Memory to zero.

 

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

If you are running XP, some software will see that you have X GB RAM, but XP can only recognize 3GB. I have this problem and we are working to get higher ups to buy better machines.

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
Thanks but running Windows 7.

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

SolidWorks does become slow with very large assemblies, BUUUUUT, it's still hundreds of times faster than 2D.  Plan your mouse clicks with care, and be patient.  (Not always easy to do, I'll admit.)

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
Uhhhh...thanks, do work for my SW reseller?  :) Next I'll hear that SW 2011 is soooo much faster with assemblies.  SW marketing thinks that we're all idiots.   

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

I have heard that SW2011 is much faster with assemblies.  lol

Seriously though, using Anna's dieholder benchmark, my time did improve by ~7% over SW2010.

Have you tried using the VM at zero?

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

If you want to speed up SolidWorks more RAM is not the place to spend money.  You need a faster cpu.

For a point of reference go to my website and run the punch holder becnhmark.  I have Google spreadsheets with results from hundreds of systems.

www.solidmuse.com

Cheers,

Anna Wood
Xeon W3680, Nvidia Quadro 4000, 12 Gb RAM, WD Velociraptor, Dell U3011 Monitor
SW2011 SP1, Windows 7 x64
http://www.solidmuse.com
http://www.phxswug.com

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

I just want to chime in that Anna is 100% correct IMO and experience upgrading and spec'ing new machines.  And I was at World last year and caught her live build.  She's legit glasses


Jack Lapham, CSWP
Engr Sys Admin
Dell M6400 Covet (24 Season 8, Ep 22)
Intel Core 2 Duo T9800, 2.93GHz, 1066MHZ 6M L2 Cache
8.0GB, DDR3-1066 SDRAM, 2 DIMM
1Gb nVIDIA Quadro FX 3700M (8.17.12.5896)
W7x64 | sw-01: 55.92
SolidWorks x64sp4 in PDMWxE

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
CorBlimeyLimey: Changed the VM to zero and no improvement.  

I doubt that we can spend the money for new processors so additional patience will be required.

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
Anna: What processor would you recommend to effectively work with assemblies of 5000+ components?

Thanks!

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
As I watch task manager, I'm having trouble believing that it's the CPU's.  The reading never gets over 25%.  Is SolidWorks just a dog when it comes to large assemblies?

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
Chris: Thanks I'll give it a look.  We've implemented SW best practices for years but maybe we're missing something.

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

helbling34,

Your CPU is probably quad-core.  Since SWX is not multithreaded it cannot get much advantage directly from the multiple cores.  Thus one core is executing SWX and is maxed out, but your entire machine might then be only using 25% of its CPU capacity.

- - -Updraft

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
Yes, my CPU is quad-core.  What's the best way to overcome this?  Is there a CPU we should be using instead?

Thanks!

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

Have you run the punch holder benchmark like I suggested?

How fast did it run the test?

Any cpu that runs the test faster then yours as listed in the Google spreadsheet of results is what you want.

You will have to see what cpu you can get to upgrade your T1500 from Dell.  Unfortunately your options may be limited with that model of workstation.  That is a low end entry level system for doing AutoCAD mainly.  You are doing higher end work, expecting higher end speed, with a budget system.

How much did you spend on the T1500?  How much is the company willing to spend for better performance?  Do you have to buy Dell or can you build your own?

Cheers,


 

Anna Wood
Xeon W3680, Nvidia Quadro 4000, 12 Gb RAM, WD Velociraptor, Dell U3011 Monitor
SW2011 SP1, Windows 7 x64
http://www.solidmuse.com
http://www.phxswug.com

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
Just ran the benchmark.  67.94 seconds.  I'll compare this with the spreadsheet.  I didn't specify the workstations that we use-our IT manager did so I'm not sure about system cost, how much more we can spend, or if we're locked into Dell.  Our current machines are not very old so I have my doubts.   

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

(OP)
Just ran the benchmark.  67.94 seconds.  I'll compare this with the spreadsheet.  I didn't specify the workstations that we use-our IT manager did so I'm not sure about system cost, how much more we can spend, or if we're locked into Dell.  Our current machines are not very old so I have my doubts.   

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

Just because you're running Windows 7 doesn't mean you're running 64-bit Windows 7!  Check and make sure you are.

For mega assemblies, you may need to simplify things.  Ie, are you using complex helical screw models, or simple geometry?  Look at overall complexity of the parts.

James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

67 seconds is not bad for speed.

I would be taking a good look at modeling technique if assemblies are slow while you are working on them.

Describe exactly what tasks are slow when working on your assemblies?

Also what video card did you have in your system?  Are you using an approved video card driver for your system from the SolidWorks website?

We need more detail to pinpoint where your issues are and possible solutions.

Anna Wood
Xeon W3680, Nvidia Quadro 4000, 12 Gb RAM, WD Velociraptor, Dell U3011 Monitor
SW2011 SP1, Windows 7 x64
http://www.solidmuse.com
http://www.phxswug.com

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

helbling34,

If you can identify several parts that you suspect may require a significant chunk of time you can open those parts and go to Tools -> Feature Statistics.  This will list the features first that require the most time to generate.  Often this will reveal something that could be amiss or for that matter might be a good candidate to be suppressed or otherwise simplified.

- - -Updraft

RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

The one thing I didn't see (maybe I am blind) that should have been asked.

Are you opening the files over your network?

If so, then your network could actually be your bottle neck and slowing you down. Best way to test to see if it your bottle neck is to copy your files to your local box and open it there (use Pack and Go to get all the files to your box).

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP pc2
Berry Plastics
Cad Admin\Design Engineer
www.scottjbaugh.com

Quote:

"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"
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RE: Does SolidWorks need to be told more RAM is available?

Good question...

Quote:

...Are you opening the files over your network?

Running a PDM client like Enterprise and caching your files locally while you work... is... H-U-G-E.  Especially on large assemblies.

And Updraft's assembly feature statistics is a phenomenal troubleshooter to determine where all your overhead is coming from (modeling threads, knurling, and other tedious minutiae can be malignant for a large assembly).

Our most recent builds were Dell T5400's which after our sizeable corp discount came in around $2.2k.  Purchasing justifications are easy when the old machine takes 120 seconds to run Anna's punch and the new machine comes in at 59 seconds.   For a more exhaustive benchmark you can run sw-01.

Albeit entry level, your machine scored 68 seconds on the press - that's very respectable.  I would look at your statistics and if you are [most unfortunately] accessing data directly off a server I would suggest doing some time studies with your current assembly, in its current location (how long to open?  How long to force rebuild or other such action that is excruciatingly long).  Then pack-n-go the whole thing to your local drive [temporarily] and perform the same tests.  We did this at my last company and it lead to the justification of PDM.

Lastly I wouldn't blame this on SolidWorks.  All 3D modelers choke on large assemblies and even AutoCAD [2D] can start falling apart on a large plant layout.


Jack Lapham, CSWP
Engr Sys Admin
Dell M6400 Covet (24 Season 8, Ep 22)
Intel Core 2 Duo T9800, 2.93GHz, 1066MHZ 6M L2 Cache
8.0GB, DDR3-1066 SDRAM, 2 DIMM
1Gb nVIDIA Quadro FX 3700M (8.17.12.5896)
W7x64 | sw-01: 55.92
SolidWorks x64sp4 in PDMWx

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