Can Your Computer Run Vista-based CAD? Probably Not.

Can your existing computer hardware handle the heavy demands that the Windows Vista operating system will impose on it?

SolidWorks certainly thinks so: SolidWorks Edition for Windows Vista users will immediately enjoy an improved user experience, including the premium Windows Aero user interface effects.

Microsoft certainly thinks so: "Windows Vista delivers efficiencies that make users more productive."

"Immediately" is a word that, in my mind, means that I can purchase the upgrade to Vista, install it on my computer, install the Vista version of CAD, and continue working, but experience a faster, more responsive CAD. True? Not true.

Go to the following Web page with Internet Explorer only (there's that Microsoft monopoly at work again): CNET's Vista Readiness Advisor, allow it to install the ActiveX modules (there's that famous Microsoft security at work again), and then click Enthusiast.

My computer fails, because it's only a 2.4GHz Pentium IV with 1GB RAM, 500GB of disk space, and nVidia graphics board. What Vista needs is:

- 2GHz dual-core CPU or faster.
- 2GB RAM or more.
- Graphics board with vertex and pixel shader v3.

At least I sufficient disk space. Harumph.

If Vista actually "delivers efficiencies," then it would run faster on less powerful computers, but it does not. SolidWorks and Microsoft may be gleeful over the new Vista tax, but I am not.

Comments

[Bryan Duffel]

Vista is the sole reason I have committed my personal computer to Linux usage. I am sure that my employer will upgrade to it before 2008, but I really don't care about the work box. That is their mess to deal with.

I would very much like to see a .dwg CAD system ported to Linux. I understand TurboCAD has a Mac version; how about a Linux version? It means I would not have to waste system resources on running an emulator just to run CAD software. Also, as a college student & part-time free-lancer, I can far easier afford a TurboCAD license than an AutoCAD license, as well as a desire to not support the ADSK monopoly-machine.

[ralphg]

Bryan:

There are several Linux CAD programs that can read and write DWG files, such as varicad and Bricscad.

AutoCAD has been made to run on Linux using Codeweavers. See http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/browse/group/?app_parent=2310

As for TurboCAD for Mac, that is not TurboCAD, but another Mac-only CAD program that IMSI/soft markets under the TurboCAD name.

[Tony in SV]

Does Vista's "Aero" truly improve productivity or just look pretty (more eye candy to compete with Mac OS-X)?

I'd bet money on "more useless eye candy".

I'm in no hurry to ever run Vista. Heck, at work I just recently upgraded from an 750 MHz Athlon to a 2800+ Athlon.

--Tony

[ralphg]

'"Wow." Imagine being this excited about business software.'

That's the mailing I got today from Eric Gales of Microsoft Canada about Windows Vista. When a company must resort to feelings to sell a product, then you know it's in trouble.

Among the listed benefits:
'* Help protect your data.'

This, on the day Microsoft admits the first (of many, to be sure) security faults in Vista.

[Ricky Jordan]

Ralph,

The whole Windows Vista issue is interesting. I am curious as to how much productivity will really be gained with it.

I have been shocked at the system requirements I have read for Vista. I have a Dell Precision 340 workstation that was purchased in 2002 that I was thinking about setting up as a Vista test machine. So far, I cannot confirm that the Quadro4 750 XGL graphics card in it will work. I may attempt it anyway just to see what will happen. This might be my only hope to test Vista’s supposed interface enhancements as I cannot justify buying a new machine just to test it. Even if this machine works, I’m sure it will be slow, so it’s not going to be able to give me any indication of the speed of the OS.

Everything I have seen thus far points to a Vista upgrade when a new machine is purchased. Even then I still have questions as to how much memory and speed are sacrificed with all the GUI bells and whistles. In the coming months, maybe we will see some independent benchmarks published that will shed some light on this.

Time will tell.

Best Regards,

Ricky Jordan

[Tony in SV]

Ricky,

Vista's productivity gains might be negative, especially on older computers.

--Tony

[Ballenger Motorsports]

The solidworks developers know that Vista is a serious performance degradation:

"Graphics performance in SolidWorks may be noticeably slower under Vista.

Hardware accelerated OpenGL drivers are not yet available from major graphics card vendors such as NVIDIA and ATI. The SolidWorks beta implementation supports software-mode OpenGL drivers supplied through the Microsoft Vista install. "

http://files.solidworks.com/supportfiles/Release_Notes_VISTA/2007/English/relnotes.htm

This is a HUGE Vista flaw that will ensure that all current and past CAD programs will function abysmally under Vista. OpenGL drivers may resolve this problem and hopefully will not be required to go through the Direct3d layer.

Another good reference is here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/01/29/xp-vs-vista/page7.html

A roughly 80% degradation in professional CAD software under Vista. Brilliant.