8800 GTS/GTX with AutoCAD 2008?

[isagreg]

It's time to change my home computer.

 

I always model in AutoCAD. Up until AutoCAD 2006 there were no problems with gaming cards. But 2007 and 2008 are different, they require “certified” cards like Quadros.

 

I've been always working with Quadro cards, but current cards (FX 4600 and 5600) are VERY expensive, so my options are either buying gaming cards 8800 GTS/GTX or waiting for Quadro FX 1600 or 3600.

 

I don't wanna buy "older" cards like FX 1500 or 3500, they don't support DX10, that will become an issue when it's time to go with Vista (maybe in a year or year and a half)

 

My question is has anybody actually tried doing 3D modeling in ACAD 2007/2008 with GeForce 8800 GTS/GTX? How is it? Autodesk has no information about those cards and with older gaming cards they report problems. I know 3dsMAX works fine with 8800 GTS/GTX, but I can't find anything on ACAD.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Wayne Harney]

I can tell you that I've had nothing but problems with acad2008 with my (old) quadro fx540 which is supposedly certified. So bad that I went back to modeling in acad2002. I'm considering getting a 8800gts because it seems that the newer autodesk apps work well with game cards now using DX. Strangely my fx540 works great with viz2008.

[isagreg]

Well, I have FX 1100 at work and it works fine with ACAD 2008 in OpenGL (never tried DX and don't really want to). But like I said I don't wanna go back to older versions of ACAD and I don't wanna spend money on older cards.

[AJLynn]

The certified cards aren't required, and in 2008 you can use Direct3D, which is what that Geforce card is good at. I haven't tried it on an 8k series but I tested it at my old office on a few other Geforce cards and didn't run into any problems.

[isagreg]

Thanks

So is DirectX a safe choice for ACAD 2008? Anybody tried it with Vista 64-bit? I heard Vista doesn’t support OpenGL anymore?

[Viper04]

Vista does support OpenGL... well kinda. Vista at the beginning received too much flack about not supporting OpenGL but what I have read recently is that is does provide support but very minimal. (basically if using Vista you cant use the desktop Flip 3D or the Aero feature.) Personnaly I would stay away from Vista for another year until it becomes more mature and you can get drivers for your hardware (motherboard, video card, printers ect.) unless you are buying a brand new comp that is Vista capable I would stay with XP Pro for at least another year.

 

From what I have read there a lot of problems with professional software ACAD 2008/ VIZ, not sure about Max or Maya but they have issues with Vista. Yea they may work, but you will be going down in performance.

 

I would save up and get the Quadro 4600 or use the 1500 for the next year or two. You can keep up with graphics hardware you just need to get what you need for the next year and maybe two years down the road.

 

 

We have three comps at work running the Quadro 1500 with Acad 2008 in XP Pro and it works GREAT. I even bought the 1500 for my home computer and this was about two months ago.

 

just my 2 cents..

[tnatua]

for microstation prgm the 8800 gtx is faster than a quadro fx 5600

go to the link:

http://appsnet.bentley.com/mstnbenchmark/reports/VideoCardBrowser.aspx

friendly

[Viper04]

for microstation prgm the 8800 gtx is faster than a quadro fx 5600

go to the link:

http://appsnet.bentley.com/mstnbenchmark/reports/VideoCardBrowser.aspx

friendly

 

The only thing is he isn't using microstation, he is using AutoCAD which is WAY different. Just like 3DS max, or Maya.

 

If you are doing real basic modeling in Acad 2008 ie boxes ect it should be fine. But when it comes time to do complex modesl ie buildings with materials shading ect it will work but VERY slow. Your orbit rotate will turn off materials and be very sketchy to use and u will need to constantly freeze layers in order to work with the drawing.

 

I'm running 4 computers with Quadro 1500, they work alright but again in very complex models (I use Autocad Arch 2008 as well) and they work fine until you get a bunch of objects with materials ect.

 

If you have the money and NEED to model in Autocad I would go with a Quadro 1500 or higher like the 4600.

 

If only doing 2d work 8800 GTS will be fine. If you move over to a directX app like Maya you can use the 8800GTS alot better that OpenGL cards I have noticed.

 

Also if you have some computer knowledge you can try RivaTuner v2.2 which is a software mod for your 8800 to open them up like Quadros. (Quadro and GeForce are the same but the quadro have some options checked off) I have never tried it and I'm sure its buggy but if u need it it might be worth a try.

 

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=163

[tnatua]

The only thing is he isn't using microstation, he is using AutoCAD which is WAY different. Just like 3DS max, or Maya.

 

If you are doing real basic modeling in Acad 2008 ie boxes ect it should be fine. But when it comes time to do complex modesl ie buildings with materials shading ect it will work but VERY slow. Your orbit rotate will turn off materials and be very sketchy to use and u will need to constantly freeze layers in order to work with the drawing.

 

I'm running 4 computers with Quadro 1500, they work alright but again in very complex models (I use Autocad Arch 2008 as well) and they work fine until you get a bunch of objects with materials ect.

 

If you have the money and NEED to model in Autocad I would go with a Quadro 1500 or higher like the 4600.

 

If only doing 2d work 8800 GTS will be fine. If you move over to a directX app like Maya you can use the 8800GTS alot better that OpenGL cards I have noticed.

 

Also if you have some computer knowledge you can try RivaTuner v2.2 which is a software mod for your 8800 to open them up like Quadros. (Quadro and GeForce are the same but the quadro have some options checked off) I have never tried it and I'm sure its buggy but if u need it it might be worth a try.

 

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=163

 

Hi

go to the link:

http://www.generation-nt.com/comment...800-gts-benchm

 

arks-actualite-24158.html

 

sorry it's a french site

3DS Max - Catia - Maya run faster with the ATI HD 2900 than with the

Quadro FX 5600....a 8800 GTX is faster than the ATI HD 2900

 

Friendly

[Viper04]

I don't remember him saying he was running maya? Again the 8800 cards WILL run faster and Maya becuase thats what it mainly supports. If you find a benchmark the compares the them in AutoCAD 2008 for 3d modeling, THAN that would hold up.

 

If there is a benchmark for AutoCAD 2008 with those cards I would like to see it to get my own thinking switched around.

 

The big thing with the Quadros is there are TESTED and OPTIMIZED for workstation apps like Max, Maya AutoCAD ect. If you don't care about glitches or having a card that isn't certified than go for the 8800.

 

I guess the thing is you can go buy an 8800GTS or GTX for around $300-400 and try it out. If you think you need something better or its not working than go spend the $1500 to $3000 on high end card.

 

If the 8800 isnt' workin for you don't get the 1500 or 3500, go with the Quadro 4600 as its based off the same design as the 8800 with DX10.

 

I would like to see a comparison for myself between the two abot cards and see if the extra money is worth the drivers, hardware, testing, certified hardware ect.

 

Let us know how it goes and if I can be convinced I'm gonna save my company a LOT of $$$.

[tnatua]

I'll hope it's what you are searching