Performance of CAD/CAM Software very slow

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  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 RC
       #1

    Performance of CAD/CAM Software very slow


    Hi,

    just want to add this and ask for a reason. Software like AutoCAD and 3ds Max, all recent versions, are only about 30% as fast in Windows Vista or 7 RC, than in Windows XP. I'm talking about viewport performance. It's really very sad! Even when disabling ALL visual effekts, the speed in Vista or 7 RC is abou twice as slow (in frames per second) as in Windows XP.

    I know Windows 7 is still not finished- but i don't think this is the reason because the problem is since VISTA.

    I'm a very advanced user and i'm not asking for help with settings, i have it all checked out already: it's just DirectX and OpenGL which are much slower in professional graphics applications with these new OSes. Anybody knows WHY?

    Why should i buy me Vista or 7, when i get only 15fps in my scenes, while with Windows XP i get 45fps? I would loose much time. On the other side, Vista and 7 offer many other advantages which i can't use with my old XP. Very sad!
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  2. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 Rc Build 7264 x86, Ubuntu
       #2

    Hi, and welcome to the W7 forums.

    Interesting. Im running Autocad 2009 and have a decent frame rate (about 40fps) and with your system specs, would expect much better performance then 15fps.

    What build of Windows 7 are you running?

    I assume you have the latest BIOS update and video drivers as well?

    What version of AutoCAD and 3ds MAX are you running?

    Scott
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 RC
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi and thanks for the fast reply!
    Well your 40fps is just valid for your specific scene- depending on the scene, you can get more or less than that. The point is, that if you get 40fps in Windows 7, then expect about 120fps for the same scene in XP.

    I tested with 3ds Max and AutoCAD both in 2009 and 2010 versions. (For testing in 3ds Max the bmark4 benchmark is very good for comparison.)

    I have the latest drivers, yes...Oh- i forgot to say, my observations are only with the 64 bit OSes of XP, VISTA and 7.
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  4. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 Rc Build 7264 x86, Ubuntu
       #4

    What flavor of Vista were you running? . . Autodesk recommends Vista Business for the best performance in both AutoCAD and 3ds MAX.

    Hope this helps

    Scott
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  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 RC
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I'm running Ultimate...Could this really make such huge difference?
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  6. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 Rc Build 7264 x86, Ubuntu
       #6

    You know, the way Vista and now 7 are designed / coded, it just may surprise you.

    Hope this helps

    Scott

    P.s. I believe if you download the latest build of 7 (any of the 7600's), you can choose your flavor upon install.
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  7. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 Rc Build 7264 x86, Ubuntu
       #7

    One more thing, when running apps like these, I found it is best to turn off Aero, and go with the Basic or even windows classic theme. Remove that overhead from your video card. Something Xp didnt have to deal with.

    Scott
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 178
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
       #8

    For true CAD/CAM functionality it's best if you have a workstation quality card such as Nvidia Quadro or ATI Fire GL, these cards have subroutines written in them for specific applications, and their firmware is very different to cope with the needs of the 3d modeller rather than the gamer.

    Remember that Vista abandoned Open GL natively in favour of Direct X, and so it was up to NVIDIA and ATI to include this in their drivers. Autocad and Max both thrive on Open GL, and I know that NVIDIA actually have optimised drivers for both of these apps.

    I use CATIA and ALIAS Studio, and I can tell when i'm not using a workstation card.
    A midrange quadro or fire GL doesn't cost much on ebay, and if you're serious about modelling you'll notice the benefits very quickly over a gamer card, which is optimised to move textures and low to medium polygon models around quickly.
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  9. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 Rc Build 7264 x86, Ubuntu
       #9

    I agree with Saverio on all but one point. According to Autodesk, AutoCAD has not supported OpenGL since 2008, Read here, Answer #24.

    Autodesk - AutoCAD Services & Support - Frequently Asked Questions

    As far as 3ds MAX, Direct3D is recommended, OpenGL is optional, but not recommened.

    Hope this helps

    Scott
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 178
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
       #10

    I actually wasn't aware of this, but thanks for the info!

    Very intersting Scott, i've been out of mainstream 3d for so long, really only being involved with engineering cad - wow times have changed. DIrect3d is a great step forward as it brings the functionality to the masses.
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