Solid Works Graphics Card

[M_CODE1]

I know this is a Mastercam forum, but it seems that many people on here have Solid Works also.

I'm having trouble with the program shutting down every now and then. Contacted the reseller and they told me that I need to get a new graphics card, because the one built into the motherboard was not powerful enough. I believe they want me to get an Open GL card from either NVIDIA or an ATI Fire GL card. Seen that the cards range from about $200 to over $2000. The lower end ones have 256MB and then a Mid range on has 512MB. I was told that the more you spend the better card you get, which I know is true. Wanted to know what other people are running on there systems with Solid Works, and if they have has any issues with the card they currently have.

[Kelly Burns]

If you have an integrated card, I would start with the investment of a new box with expandable equiptment. Integrated systems tend to be in my opinion a PITA to split apart, not to mention find compatible parts for.

As far as what to get do a search for the benchmark post. All the info has been covered there.

[Jaz]

I don't run Solid Works, but almost anything will be better than on board graphics. Adding a card should not be difficult.

[gcode]

A lot depends on what you're doing and what

version of SW you're running.

My 2 year old Dell work station completly

chokes on SW2008 so I replaced it.

If you're doing small parts and simple assemblies,

you may get by adding a good Nvidia GeForce gaming card

to your existing system.

I have no idea what kind of expansion slots your existing

motherboard has, so its nearly impossible

to make any kind of accurate recommendation

[M_CODE1]

I checked earlier today and it look like I have 2

PCI slots to expand to. Looked like most of the cards Solid Works reccomends are for the PCI Express Slot. I'm mostly doing small parts and simple assemblies to make machining fixtures.

[Jeremy Haage from MCAM NorthWest]

You're going to need an available PCI Express or at least an AGP slot. Cards aren't made for regular PCI slots anymore.

[OOZ662]

At the time of posting, this page has 50 vanilla PCI cards listed.

 

Click

[Alvaro Gil - Cimquest-inc.com]

Mike if you have a PCI slot, get a quadro fx 500. I have one if you want to buy it. If not go to ebay.

 

If you have PCIE slots then get a quadro FX 540 or better.

[M_CODE1]

The "quadro fx 500" card show that is is for a AGP slots so that wont work for my system. Talked with the IT guy, he looking in getting me a new system now.

 

GCode what is the configuration of the new system that you got.

[gcode]

quote:

---

GCode what is the configuration of the new system that you got

---

Check out my siggy at the bottom of my posts

I got it from the Dell refurb site for $2100

and paid another $150 for an extended 3 year warranty

This is my third Dell refurb..

never had any trouble with any of them.

[M_CODE1]

thanks, guess I never looked at the bottom of your post

[MultiAxGod]

+1 for Dell refurbs. You can't get a better deal. go to their website and then go to the outlet. Bought my $2700 laptop for $1400 and a $250 printer for $90. They are not all refurbs. Some are made to order and then the order gets cancelled so they sell them at a highly reduced price to move 'em out.