How Important is a certified driver?

[eric_monceaux]

I am running AutoCAD 2010, and when doing 3D rendering, my PC slows down quite a bit. If you look at the specs on my computer, I have a proverbial monster, but it isn't performing as well as I suspect it should. My 3D driver is not certified, but does have a certified driver available. I searched the forum to try and answer this with no luck.

 

 

My question is (to explain to our IT department) what advantages would I gain by using a certified driver? Also I am running DirectX 10 currently on Vista Business 64-Bit. Should I update to DirectX 11? What kind of performance increase would I be looking at?

 

Here is some my performance tuner log report:

 

Machine Configuration

---------------------

Processor Speed : 3.0 GHz

RAM : 8189 MB

 

3D Device

---------

Name : NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600

Manufacturer : NVIDIA

Chip set : Quadro FX 4600

Memory : 2791 MB

Driver : 7.15.0011.8267

 

Current application driver: acaddm10.hdi

 

Available application drivers and effect support:

-------------------------------------------------

Software driver

Effect support:

 

Enhanced 3D Performance: Not applicable

Gooch shader: Software emulation only

Per-pixel lighting: Not applicable

Full-shadow display: Not applicable

Texture compression: Not applicable

 

Direct3D driver: Not Certified

Effect support:

 

Enhanced 3D Performance: Available

Gooch shader: Available

Per-pixel lighting: Available

Full-shadow display: Available

Texture compression: Available

Enhanced 2D Performance: Available

 

Autodesk driver: Not Certified

Effect support:

 

Enhanced 3D Performance: Available

Gooch shader: Available

Per-pixel lighting: Available

Full-shadow display: Available

Texture compression: Available

Enhanced 2D Performance: Available

[Currahee]

Welcome to my world...I have the same problem with 2010 running slow

[eric_monceaux]

Indeed. I was having the similar problems when I ran 2009. I wonder if it has something to do with CAD just being memory intensive. However, my PC well surpasses the spec. requirements for 2010

[ReMark]

I thought I read somewhere that AutoDesk wanted to move away from OpenGL and to DirectX yet I don't see where it is paying off for the user. People are constantly compalining about how slow 2009 was and now 2010. I assume some of these people have inadequate systems (a minimum of RAM, a 3rd rate graphics, a GPU instead of a graphics card, too much "stuff" running in the background, etc.) but it doesn't apply to everyone. What the heck is going on? Is it just the millions of lines of code? Is the new AutoCAD getting like Microsoft Office and becoming bloatware?

[eric_monceaux]

That is a good question ReMark. I remember using some of the earlier versions of CAD (like modeling and rendering on IBM 686 with AutoCAD R12....shudder), and not having near the amount of "bog-down" issues that I have been experiencing since CAD 2008. What has been one of my biggest complaints is the change in the material interface from the old fashioned RMAT to the new, 3D Studio knock-off. It seemed, even then, that speed was being sacrificed for glamor and sleekness. Putting all of the subpar equipment that some users might have, running AutoCAD, it wouldn't surprise me that an old P4 Gateway would run 2006 or earlier faster than I can run 2010. I really like some of the the additions that 2010 has introduced, but I shouldn't have the lag issues that came with it. Where are the Express Tools to help speed up rendering time and real time model navigation?!?

 

I can understand PC's that can't keep up with the video games that keep coming out (Crysis...insanity!!!) but CAD shouldnt have sloppy resource managing, because a lot of people use these programs to make money, and do it fast.

 

The other important question is, is AutoDesk aware of this, and do they plan to fix it?