Upgrade to SW2005?

[Nate242]

We are currently running SW2004 SP3 on two computers and have the upgrade cds for SW2005, but I have some concerns with the upgrade.

The first system is a Dell Precision @ 2.6GHz w/1GB ram and a QuadroFX 500 128MB. The second system is Dell laptop @ 1.6GHz w/1GB ram and a GF MX440 64MB. I don't see us upgrading either of these machines for a while and I'm not sure if we should upgrade.

Currently, both machines do pretty well for small assemblies and parts, but when the assemblies get bigger than ~100-200 parts the computers definently slow down. It's managable, but not fun. Will Solidworks 2005 slow us down much more? Do you guys think we should upgrade?

 

[rporter]

Install the 2005 version as a new install and put it in its own folder. Try it out and see if it does infact slow you down.

 

[ctopher]

Do a search in this forum. Lot's of answers on this topic.
Check out FAQ.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[rockguy]

We have a system similar to your first system listed and it works fine with 2005. You should see the same performance with it that you see with 2004.

The sesond system I'm not sure about. The graphics looks like it might be a problem. We run a Dell M-60 with 2005 and it is every bit as fast as our 2.6 Precision workstation.

 

[PDMAdmin]

Which operating system are you currently running? If you are a heavy-duty user, I would recommend Windows XP with 2 GB RAM and the 3GB setting enabled. This thread has more info:

thread559-107229

 

[SBaugh]

I would install it on the desktop but not the laptop. The Desktop is not much different then mine is, except I use a Quadro 1100 FX with the the 53.03 drivers.

The reason I wouldn't install it on the Laptop is because it's using a video card that is not supported.

Put a SW05 copy on your Desktop and see how it runs. You can have 2 versions on the same machine, just place the SW05 into a different directory - C:\Program Files\Solidworks05

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[Nate242]

If I install 2005 on the desktop, and leave 2004 on the laptop, will there be any conflicts if/when we open a 2005 part/assembly on the laptop?

Oh, and both PCs are running XPpro SP1.

 

[macPT]

You will not be able to open the 2005 files on your laptop (unless you expot them as dumb solid/surfaces)

Regards

 

[ctopher]

You can install 2005 with 2004. Keep SW program folders separate.
The only conflict may be if you go to Win Explorer, dbl click on file, it will probably open the SW it was created in. Then you would have to look at top of window to see whick SW is open. If you want it in 05, then open 05 and do file-open search for file.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[dogarila]

I used a while ago SW2003 on a desktop with GF MX440 64MB. Had no problems. I think you have no problems with SW2004. Obviously you want to have same version on both computers. What I would do, I would install on the laptop SW2005 as new installation in a separate folder without erasing the existing SW2004. Install the last SP. Then test it. Open some large assemblies, open 6-7 files in the same time and see if there are any problems. Do not save anything. Keep in mind that when you first open a SW2004 file in 2005 it will take longer because of the conversion. The larger the assenblies the longer will take. Try assemblies with lightweight components. If everything goes fine then you can make your decision.

The desktop is fine, I wouldn't worry about it.