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Eclypz · 11-14-2009, 03:58 AM

Which AutoCAD product will you be using? What will you be using it for?
For example, if you're only doing small line drawings, then onboard video should be fine, and you should stop reading here. You'll just have to wait longer for things to render, and it might not look as nice.

If you're doing 3d Rendering, then you'll want a dedicated GPU, which will provide hardware acceleration. And on that note, it also depends how much rendering you're doing. For example, 3d rendering a city block will benefit from a higher end card than rendering 1 house.

The problem lies here for you is this:
- Many of the mainstream laptops with dedicated graphics are for gaming. Gaming cards are optimized for high speed rendering in games, while sacrificing quality. Although some gaming cards will provide acceleration, it won't beat a card designed for the industry, which is designed to render fast, without sacrificing quality.

- If you want a laptop with a dedicated workstation card, be prepared to pay up the ying-yang for it, as its considered specialized equipment meant to be purchased by businesses. And in most cases, is custom equipment built to order.

As an example of the prices for this kind of equipment, check out Nvidia's line of graphics cards made for the industry (They are for desktops, but it gets the point across):
http://www.ncix.com/search/?categoryid=0&q=quadro+fx

- Also consider that a laptop runs on battery...the more performance you get, the shorter the battery life...and if your classroom doesn't have an easily accessible power source, it's something for you to consider.

Here's a link that will help you find a video card that's AutoCad certified (and there are mobile GPUs in the list):
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...linkID=9240618

And another helpful link:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...linkID=9240617

11-14-2009, 03:58 AM	#18
Eclypz RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 604 Posts: 9,795 Thanked 106 Times in 55 Posts Failed 5 Times in 2 Posts	Which AutoCAD product will you be using? What will you be using it for? For example, if you're only doing small line drawings, then onboard video should be fine, and you should stop reading here. You'll just have to wait longer for things to render, and it might not look as nice. If you're doing 3d Rendering, then you'll want a dedicated GPU, which will provide hardware acceleration. And on that note, it also depends how much rendering you're doing. For example, 3d rendering a city block will benefit from a higher end card than rendering 1 house. The problem lies here for you is this: - Many of the mainstream laptops with dedicated graphics are for gaming. Gaming cards are optimized for high speed rendering in games, while sacrificing quality. Although some gaming cards will provide acceleration, it won't beat a card designed for the industry, which is designed to render fast, without sacrificing quality. - If you want a laptop with a dedicated workstation card, be prepared to pay up the ying-yang for it, as its considered specialized equipment meant to be purchased by businesses. And in most cases, is custom equipment built to order. As an example of the prices for this kind of equipment, check out Nvidia's line of graphics cards made for the industry (They are for desktops, but it gets the point across): http://www.ncix.com/search/?categoryid=0&q=quadro+fx - Also consider that a laptop runs on battery...the more performance you get, the shorter the battery life...and if your classroom doesn't have an easily accessible power source, it's something for you to consider. Here's a link that will help you find a video card that's AutoCad certified (and there are mobile GPUs in the list): http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...linkID=9240618 And another helpful link: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...linkID=9240617 Last edited by Eclypz; 11-14-2009 at 04:11 AM.