AutoCAD Civil 3D

[#1]

When deciding on graphics cards, what is considered graphic intensive?  I build surfaces and do pipe networks.  I'm not thinking that's intensive.

[#2]

Once you start viewing large amounts of data in 3D and rotating or animating, that's when you get into intense work.  Just creating objects like like is not at all intense for the gaphhics card.

[#3]

I agree with Matt - I find the 3D performance when viewing corridors/drive throughs and surfaces can be very disappointing on occasion but normal plan is never a problem

[#4]

Thanks for the response guys.  I will probably go with i7-3770k; 32gb ram; quadro 2000; windows 7 64 bit.  What do y'all think of this article?

http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/AutoDesk-AutoCAD-2013-GPU-Acceleration-164

[#5]

That was a very good article. I've bookmarked it.

Although many have said that NV Quadro cards are overkill. I know that I seem to have less problems with viewing and rotating surfaces and corridors when using a Quadro card. One key thing is to get the right drivers. Always try the most current but be prepared to revert if it causes problems.

I remember taking a C3D class where the instructor would say "We're going to try and view the corridor in the Object Viewer. But it's probably going to crash the program".  The training computers only had gaming cards.

[#6]

Thanks for the reply Mr. Jessup.  Here is something else I came across.  Since it came from the Catalyst magazine, you may have seen it.

http://www.cadalyst.com/hardware/graphics-cards/setting-a-cad-speed-record-14292?page_id=3

[#7]

Yes. Thank you. That article makes a good point about the customizability of the Nvidia cards. I use it to set up quick keys for swapping monitors and such. Also use it to keep my computer from going to sleep. Allen ----------------------------------------------------------------- This email, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information. If the reader of this email is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and deleting this email immediately.

[#8]

I just looked at all of the recommended graphics cards and most all were tested on standard 2013, a few on 3ds max, and none on infrastructure.  I can't believe this.  How can they recommend something they haven't tested.

[#9]

Interesting article. I built two computers, one with the GTX670 and another with the GTX680, so it was pleasing they came up very high in performance. In terms of accuracy, it's hard to say - I've never had any issues (that I know of). These cards work very well with 3D rotation of large surfaces, etc. One day I'll grab a quadro card to test in comparison, but haven't had the chance as yet. What I'm surprised at is the relatively little difference between the quadro 2000 and quadro 4000. Given 1 costs twice the other, I would've expected more benefit. Its seems the extra memory (which I think comes into its own for rendering) is the main benefit?

The processors on my computers are both the 6 core i7-3930K on the P9X79 motherboard. I have no doubt as the article suggests the 4 core 3.5Ghz 3770 processor is faster with c3d, as it doesn't really use the multiple cores - so indivual processor speed is more important.

I reckon 32 gb ram is a bit of overkill, but it's pretty cheap - so go for it if you have the cash. Consider an SSD too.

Anyway I think your proposed setup will go great. You can always but a GTX card later and sell the quadro card if it is letting you down.

[#10]

I was glad to see that the Quadro 2000 scored well since I just spec'd 2 workstations with them.