Laptop video cards Radeon X300

[jmongan]

Has anyone had to use, or should I say tried to use SolidWorks using a Radeon X300 video card in a laptop.

Our company is going to a new "standard laptop" and this is the only video card option. I am trying to work out something to get them to upgrade our SW users to Dell m20's but I dont know if that is possible. I know seems crazy but sometimes large corporate decisions are.

I am wondering just how poor the SW performance is. There are some non open GL cards like the Nvidea FX Go 5200 and 5700 that I have heard dont perform that bad.

Thanks,

Josh

 

[MadMango]

I can only say that by using a card not tested and approved for use with SW, you are bound to have display problems and large assembly/drawing issues.

[green]"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."[/green]
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[SBaugh]

I agree with MM on this and to add those FX Go cards don't pass either and you are bound to have problems with those cards too.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[jmongan]

I agree with you both. We all know what you say is true. I am hoping someone has used the card and can tell me, either the card is to poor I crash constantly, and the graphics go to crap every time I open more than one window, or it's not optimal but for non power users a person can get buy with it.

 

[SBaugh]

I can bet you it will. Stablity is important in a video card just like everything is.

If you make a high performance engine... your not going to use the stock flat piston's would you? Heck no, you would go with the dropped forged Domed pistons.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[MadMango]

I've got a crappy Dell Inspiron 1100 with integrated video that I use "when I have to" when I am on business trips (inherited). It's fair for single part modeling of prismatic parts, and even small >50 component assemblies and similar drawings.

It has trouble working/displaying anything over about 350 components, even eDrawings. I'm not sure if you call that non-power user, but I would.

[green]"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."[/green]
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[SBaugh]

I think your lucky MM! i ahve a Dell Inspiron 8200 I bought a few years ago, because I wanted and needed a laptop at the time. The video card is a Gefore 440 Go.

It's my Internet Computer, but when I run SW on it it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. For a single part it's fine. If I open an assembly it's fine or drawing for that matter. But If I have any of the above open and open a 2nd file (Part, assembly or drawing) I might as well just go take a looooong break. Because it takes for ever to open that 2nd file.

Regards,



Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[kcarpenter]

I'm using an IBM T40P and have no trouble opening up 350 component asms. It uses the older ATI Mobile Radeon 9000 cards. I know their expensive, but what decent performing laptop isn't today. You might want to check out the ThinkPads.

Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Specialist
Invacare Corp.