Solidworks 2007 and my Hardware

[barkyJ]

Hello,

Just new to the CAD scene after graduating, and am still building up a system (got not much money yet).

Currently I have:

AMD Dualcore 3800+ cpu
3gb DDR400 RAM
Nvidia 6600GT PCI-E 128mb video cards (x2 in SLI mode)
Gigabyte K8NSXP-SLI Mobo
Solidworks 2007 SP2.2 x32 version (BUT running x64 windows)

My video cards are not ideal for solidworks I know, but I am having issues with them that I was wondering if people could help me solve. I want to get a Quadro card, but I cant afford it at this stage.
When I enable SLI mode, a range of things stop working correctly in windows and solidworks. Things like Windows Installer stops working, and solidworks goes slow.

Also - I got the 32bit version before I upgraded to x64 windows. 32bit version seems to run ok, but x64 would run better I am thinking. I am hoping to get the x64 version soon.

Anyway - its the video card I am wanting help on.
Has anyone run solidworks with the 6600GT video card before, and what version of the drivers available should I use to get the best results? Is there a store of drivers that work well with solidworks somewhere?

Also - I read something on here about a 3GB switch you can enable in solidworks or something for better performance... where do I find that? Or am I dreaming.

Cheers

 

[ctopher]

You can do a search here for 3gb and also read the FAQs above. Lot's of good info.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 01-18-07)

 

[JMirisola]

As you're well aware, your card isn't recommended. The notes on it state:
"Limited number of accelerated windows. Amount of video memory determines the number. If 64M - 128M of memory, 3-12 accelerated full screen windows."
The tested driver is 6.14.10.8421, assuming that you're on SW '07 (which, given your want to move up to x64, makes me think that you are).
Basically, you'll need to limit your number of windows. Also, if you parts become too feature laden, or you try to get into huge assemblies, you're in for a rough ride.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP2.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

You will NOT need the /3GB switch because you have XPx64. In fact the /3GB switch will limit the x64 performance.

 

[SBaugh]

"Limited number of accelerated windows. Amount of video memory determines the number. If 64M - 128M of memory, 3-12 accelerated full screen windows."
The tested driver is 6.14.10.8421, assuming that you're on SW '07 (which, given your want to move up to x64, makes me think that you are).
Basically, you'll need to limit your number of windows. Also, if you parts become too feature laden, or you try to get into huge assemblies, you're in for a rough ride.

Thats no the only limitation. There are other things that you may see with a uncertified card. Crashing, corruption due to crashing. Graphical errors in the graphics windows strange hangs... oh and did I mention crashing?

So if you experience strange things and crashing you have no room to complain... You have to learn to accept that because its probably due to your VC. I have a GF 6600 GT at my home and its great for gaming... and works OK for SW... YOu just have to understand that your VC will cause you more harm then good with SW.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[Theophilus]

Remember that working with a "mixed" system like that (x32 and x64) is bound to create a little chaos, too. Drivers, etc. will still be shaky since this is relatively new territory and plenty of bugs abound.

Take out a loan, do whatever you need to do, to get a functional graphics card. Check out craigslist.com or ebay.com if you need to--find a card and I think your big problems will be solved. I started my business and had to take out a business loan to purchase my first system. Same for purchasing SolidWorks. But if you've got work to do and know what you're doing, you'll find this stuff pays for itself. Such is business. Even with an FX-500 (or whatever the PCIe equivalent is now) you'll find a great deal of improvement--I used one of those in my old system for a couple of years without problems.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe transcends reason.