Instead of using layers to manage geometry in v5 I use Open Bodies. However, with a large model using show/noshow becomes a problem with this method as all bodies are always visible in either show or noshow. In v4 I could use the layer filters to remove geometry I was not interested in. I know...
The following link lists all approved hardware configurations. There are other graphics cards that will work satifactorily I'm sure, but those on the list definately do.
http://www.catia.com/your_catia/html/hwnt2.htm
