Better card than Nvidia 8800 for less ££

[Butters]

Is there an alternative to this card?

Or even better I'm looking for a card capabale of CAD 3D work

 

[JonnyGeee]

Alternative to the 8800 is the Ati 2900

 

[squiffy]

Is there an alternative to this card?

Or even better I'm looking for a card capabale of CAD 3D work

What rendering mode does your CAD software use? Opengl? Isn't CAD solely reliant on CPU speed? If so quad core might be a option.

 

[ihatelag]

Alternative to the 8800 GTS is the Ati 2900

Fixed

 

[XtAsY]

What rendering mode does your CAD software use? Opengl? Isn't CAD solely reliant on CPU speed? If so quad core might be a option.

this is true, almost all renderers in CAD applications and 3d content creation packages render using the CPU so the more CPU power the better. Quad core deffinetly helps. However, Nvidia does the Gelato renderer for free which I know integrates into a lot of appilcations (I sometimes use it in Maya). Basically what it does is uses your GPU to render rather than the CPU. My 8800GTX when rendering using Gelato sometimes gives my QX6700 a run for its money.

 

[Dravic]

Nvidia also do the Quadro series of cards aimed especially at the CAD market.

http://www.nvidia.com/page/quadrofx_family.html

 

[Butters]

Thanks guys.

I am using Tekla Structures.

On this basis (although I know this isnt the right forum) could you chaps spec me something up for anything around the £400-£500 mark?

4GB memory
80GB HD (for apps only)
GFX Card
decent case
DVD/CD/RW