Video Card Settings

I recently got a new laptop (Alienware M17x) with Dual 1GB Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M - SLI Enabled, with integrated OR dedicated video, based on the settings used. I do usually disable SLI, or I can't use dual monitors. I use AutoCAD 2010 as well as SolidWorks 2009, and I have yet to find any documentation on what the optimal video settings would be for either of these programs. I am using 3D graphics, and at times even have two instances of SolidWorks and one instance of AutoCAD working at the same time. Can anyone give me some pointers on the best video settings to use?

Thanks!

Check nVidia's website, i thought there was a recent driver update that enabled dual monitor usage. What settings are you talking about, exactly? Everything should be fairly automatic, including the resolution.

Thanks for the tip on the driver.

As for the settings, I am referring to the 3D settings on the nVidia Control Panel. I know I can use the default settings, but I would think that there are some tweaks that would make things better - maybe not?

If by better you mean faster, there is nTune, a free overclocking utility from nvidia, which you can use to change the clock speed of the GPU and RAM, thereby increasing performance. GPU-Z is a free program that will help you monitor the changes

Other than that, i can't think of anything.

Edit: Although, i just noticed that you're using a laptop. Any overclocking should be minimal at best due to the lack of cooling compared to a desktop.

I'll try the two programs you mentioned. Also, I checked the NVidia driver site, and it says there is an update for my cards, but when I try to install it, it says that I don't have the required hardware for the install...any clues here?

I do have a laptop, but it has the best cooling system I've ever seen...one fan for the processor, and one fan for EACH of the video cards. The entire bottom of the laptop is also a grid to allow for better ventliation. Should I try the overclocking? They actually say that this laptop can be overclocked...

The GeForce GTX 260M is not listed on the Autodesk Certified Hardware list. In fact, its not even on the list at all. Won't be a lot of optimization but it will still work just fine. Autodesk has a reccomended setting in the 3DCONFIG. OpenGL or D3D will work just fine with that video car with all options on using a manual tune with 3D Acelleration turned on.

As for Solidworks, couldn't tell ya.