VIDEO CARDS !! I need help deciding

[Ty Stinson]

Several of us in my office have been experiencing a slew of video glitches. Our MasterCAM / Solid Works reseller has recommended the 3Dlabs Oxygen VX1 32Meg card and the GVX1 64 Meg card. Apperently, they both are easily optimized for MasterCAM & Solid Works. Does anyone have any experience with these cards and/or advice? Also, I am considering the GVX1 64Meg card for my system being that i have a P4 1.7 chip and I do most of the 3-D work but the extra $400 over the VX1 concerns me. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[cadcam]

Hi i run run the VX1 and it works great.

I have seen the othere one two both work well.

[Ty Stinson]

THank you for your reply. Are you aware of any difference other than memory with the GVX1 PRO?

[Bullines]

The GVX1 has more graphics power than the VX1. Mind you, that makes the GVX1 more expensive as well. You can go to the Products section of the 3Dlabs website to begin your comparison.

[cadcam]

Ty,

Follow Bullines thoughts on this.

you will get more from the GVX card perfomence wise.

i think that might be my next card my self.

[Ty Stinson]

Seems like this card really is worth the thought since you all know about it and are considering it yourselves. What do you know about the MasterCAM & Solidworks software modes? I have heard that both are reason alone to buy the card if you are using those CAD/CAM packages but I have yet to get any technical information regarding these modes. Also, my reseller has stated that using the Sworks mode is even more stable and flawless than the Mcam mode while using either package.

[cadcam]

Well i only use the mastercam mode at this time sense i do not use solid works at this time.

but i can put it the solid works mode for a bit and see how it does.

[Ty Stinson]

So far, I have heard from 2 different sources that they have experienced noticeable gains while using MasterCAM in the Solidworks software mode. Especially with 3-D manipulation such as dynamically rotating objects and the speed of regenerations with numerous and complex surfaces that are shaded.

I'd appreciate hearing about your findings. Maybe we will both learn something. Thank you for your time.

[BernieT]

I have the VX1 card but could not find the settings location for Mastercam mode (or Solidworks mode either). Can anyone direct me to the right page? Thanks.

Win 98 Ver 8.1.1

BerTau

[ 10-16-2001: Message edited by: BerTau ]

[Mark H]

BerTau, In win2K this is the way to get to the settings, win98 may be similar...

Control panel, display, settings, advanced, 3D labs, advanced, open GL support, Mastercam.

[Balbir]

Hi

I run "3Dlabs Oxygen" It is great.never had any problems.

[Ty Stinson]

Thank you to all who has replied to my post. I am glad to hear that there is a card that seems to work so well.

I would like to learn more about the MasterCAM and Solidworks modes. Has anyone tried to toggle between these modes while in a MasterCAM environment? Also, with my current card, dynamic rotations and X-forms of highly detailed entities often results in shaded solids temporarily blanking out and sometimes having to refresh the screen in order to see them again. Has anyone else had trouble with this with either another card or this one?

THank you again.

[BernieT]

quote:

---

BerTau, In win2K this is the way to get to the settings, win98 may be similar...

Control panel, display, settings, advanced, 3D labs, advanced, open GL support, Mastercam.

---

Thanks Mark H, this got me to what is probably the right page. Unfortunately there was only "Lightwave" "Quake 2" "Quake 3", and the "Default Open GL" which it is set on. Maybe I need to check for more recent drivers. Thanks again.

[Tony]

I put my GVX1 in the system tray and I can toggle the applications from SW to MC anytime from there (NT O/S)

[cadcam]

Well i just toggled between the mastercam & solidworks settings.

I think i actuly like the solid works setting better.

Here is the settings page.

Settings Page

[Ty Stinson]

So you too prefer the Solid Works setting. What exactly did you notice?

[cadcam]

I noticed that graphics were a little faster.Along with in the ops manger when i would hit the "E" key to comprese or uncompres the ops it was slow before.

Now it is snapy like it should be.

This is what i have noticed at this time.