Video Cards for SW 2007?

[simdesigner2006]

Hi there, does anyone have experience with using a games video card for CAD activities?

I'm looking for an affordable notebook with video card that works well with SW 2007. I know Solidworks recommends the ATI Fire GL or nVidia Quadro cards, but this would also take a big bite out of my budget.

I've heard that a good video card for games (GeForce) does not necessarily has a similar performance in CAD programs. But what does this mean? Is it only a matter of speed or does it really affect the quality of the visualisations or stability of the system?

Any suggestions would be welcome!

Thanks

 

[hippieguy]

I know from personel trial and error that Game video cards do not do well for CAD or visa versa, I believe that it has to do with how the cards process the image. That however does NOT mean that it won't work, it just wont work as well as a CAD specific card.

Guy G.
Mechanical Designer/Drafter
Tucson AZ.

 

[Theophilus]

My experience with laptops and game cards has been poor. Essentially, they work OK if you only have one part at a time open. Once you step into an assembly or open more than one part (and switch between windows while editing) you'll get lock-ups, crashes, hanging for a long time, and other irritations that truly cost more than a decent card.

I recommend that nobody use a laptop with SW, since they're such a pain (most have no number pad) with their other limitations--but if you do, make sure it has an approved graphics card. Performance per dollar is probably something like 1/4 what a powerful workstation with a huge monitor will give you.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe transcends reason.