Choosing a video card?

[NXMold]

Whats the scoop on graphics cards? I have heard that NX6 utilizes the graphics card for more tasks than NX5, so what level of hardware is apropriate? I lean toward the nVidia FX 580 (512mb) for cad systems, but with NX I wonder if a higher spec card would be advisable.

NX 5.0.3.2 / 6.0.1.5 MoldWizard

 

[hudson888]

It really depends on what you could be doing with your machine and how long you intend to keep it. For most average users unless you have very demanding graphics tasks. In which case the card I recommend below if certified is bound to offer your money's worth.

I prefer a strategy of keeping the machines for less time but buying with a bang for your buck just behind the leading edge specification. That means don't buy the very latest and best just to take pride of place for a very short time before it is out of date, you'll pay a premium for the ability to stretch your hardware life that extra few months.

You could check out what is certified according to the PLMS website, but for price and performance, you're probably not far off the mark.

Check out the link below as well these guys have always had the good mail on bang for you buck gear.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/workstation-graphics-charts/SPECopc-Viewperf-10.0-UGS-NX,135.html

The ATI FirePro V5700 also looks like bang for your buck if you can afford the extra $160.


Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[NXMold]

Since a series of bad expieriences, I personally prefer to avoid ATI. The GeForce is supposed to be tuned for gaming, and the Quadro for CAD type uses. That leaves the obvious choices of:

FX 580 512mb (lowest card I would consider)
FX 1800 768mb +$250 Sweet spot?
FX 3800 1gb +$630
FX 5500 1gb +$2300 (Way too much)
ATI Firepro V5700

I cannot tell how the different levels of performance play into a balanced system. We have been blindly buying $5-7,000 dell systems, its time to spend a little more effort building a properly specified system for $2500-$3500. The biggest cost upgrades are the video card, and I'm sure we can cut thousands of dollars in that area without any loss in performance.

Thanks for the link and info.

NX 5.0.3.2 / 6.0.1.5 MoldWizard

 

[looslib]

I too prefer Nvidea cards over ATI. I would go with the 1800 for an everyday use machine.


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Ben Loosli