Using Gaming Graphics Cards in CAD Design: Evaluation and Practical Tips

Popular ATI, Intel and Nvidia gaming graphics cards for CAD applications

As users of computer hardware and software in professional applications, we ask ourselves whether we can use entertainment equipment for specialized applications. This question has a second bottom. Namely, do we have to pay more for professional CAD graphics cards? Or maybe our popular graphics equipment used every day for gaming will suffice?

The popularity of gaming graphics cards is hard to ignore. However, although gaming cards have often impressive specs, there are several key factors that set them apart from workstation graphics cards for CAD applications.

Let's take a look at why gaming cards may not be a good choice for professional CAD users.

What to look for when choosing a graphics card for CAD?

When choosing a graphics card for CAD, we should pay attention to several important technical parameters, such as: the architecture of the system determining the performance and quality of the displayed image, the specification and amount of RAM of the card, enabling work with large projects, the type of data bus also affecting the performance and the type and number of inputs/outputs supported by the graphics card. It is worth noting that consumer cards usually have a smaller number of inputs supporting monitors than professional cards .

Why is the market for gaming graphics cards so rich and CAD is not?

The market for multimedia graphics cards used for gaming and entertainment is made up of many brands, both the recognized ones and even more the lesser-known ones, with a wide range of graphics cards. This market is governed by a simple mechanism of supply and demand; This indicates that computer games and multimedia applications are the market with the highest growth in sales of GPU graphics cards.

For example, in 2017. Nvidia increased its revenue in the gaming segment by 49% compared to 2016. The revenue from the sale of GPUs alone in the video game segment alone is currently about $1 billion per year. Due to the dynamic development of multimedia, the development of e-sports and interest in virtual reality, the importance of graphics cards for games is unlikely to decrease, but even grow.

Moreover, the increase in sales of gaming graphics cards should be considered good news for every potential GPU user in other segments of home and professional applications as well.

With massive investment in R&D and strong competition among manufacturers, improvements in GPU technology are beneficial for both consumers such as gamers and professional CAD users. The absorptive market of multimedia applications makes it tempting for other market tycoons such as Intel to eat something from the big cake of profitable entertainment.

You may have noticed that many graphics cards have the GPU series number in their product names. For example, manufacturers such as Asus, MSi, Gygabyte, EVGA, Palit all use the same number in the Geforce GTX1080 model name.

So why do all these cards refer to the same model number? All the cards listed in the list above, all the products listed use the same GPU manufactured by Nvidia. It's an Nvidia 1080 GPU.

That's why manufacturers use the same model number to inform users about what's under the hood of their products.

Thus, we know that many brands will use GPU chips from graphics card market leaders such as Nvidia or Ati, included in their solution.

At the same time, it gives smaller graphics card manufacturers the opportunity not to compete with Nvidia or AMD in terms of chip performance. Instead, they can offer their customers other usability, such as a better cooling system than Nvidia or like Gigabyte's GTX 1080, which uses Nvidia's GTX technology, but is unique in that it has a much smaller card footprint than the Nvidia counterpart.

Do higher card model numbers mean better CAD performance?

Unfortunately, the numbers used in most GPU model names don't refer to any actual measurements.

As the blog explains Logical Increments , it is not always so simple that a higher model number that is faster than other lower model numbers.

For example, Nvidia's GTX680 chip is faster than the GTX760 because it has more technical features that positively affect its overall performance than GTX760 .

Confused? Don't worry, you're not the only one.

These numbers should be considered as part of the product name, which in some cases identifies the GPU used.

So beware! Don't assume that the number indicates the same specifications as other manufacturers.

Always carefully read the specifications of the graphics card you are considering buying and using in CAD applications.

Can I use my graphics card for gaming in CAD applications?

The answer is both affirmative and negative. Of course, you can use about working with CAD programs your multimedia graphics card, which you use every day for gaming and entertainment.

However, keep in mind that not all gaming graphics cards will be suitable. Software such as SolidWorks or IntelliCAD typically works better with professional Nvidia Quadro or AMD FirePro cards.

If you can't reconcile your needs for a GPU suitable for both gaming and CAD, having separate gaming and CAD rigs is ideal.

However, for many users, this is simply impractical and not economical. Unfortunately, graphics cards designed specifically for CAD applications are usually not suitable for the required rendering in games.

We can partially remedy this, namely on the World Wide Web we can check user reviews saying which gaming graphics cards have been reported as working well with CAD software.

An example is the Asus Strix GTX 1070, which in the opinion of users works well with AutoCAD, ActCAD or BricsCAD, while at the same time being equally fantastic for virtual conquests of the world and the extermination of hostile aliens. Sometimes it also works the other way around, but there are also exceptions, such as Nvidia's Quadro K1200 card, which is great for CAD applications, is not able to handle relatively simple 3D games.

Will my graphics card be "future-proof" for CAD?

When it comes to ensuring your comfort for the future, a computer for CAD applications should be purchased according to the principle of buying the best model you can afford.

The higher the specs, the longer the GPU can serve you without compromising your comfort.

Why do graphics card benchmarks matter?

Benchmarks are synthetic tests carried out by specially designed software.

The software will simulate specific tasks while measuring performance and GPU load.

Benchmark tests are important because they prevent discussions about the best graphics card for a particular application.

Instead, you can find a breakdown on GPU performance. You can even benchmark ATI cards yourself with features implemented in the Catalyst drivers.

Benchmarks can sometimes show surprising results. For example, through benchmarks of a graphics card designed for CAD, i.e. the Nvidia Quadro M6000, it was discovered that while the M6000 model outperformed its competitors in terms of 3D rendering, the same GPU took further places in 2D drawing and rendering.

Certified CAD graphics cards

Many leading CAD software developers have made life easier for professional CAD users by publishing lists of graphics cards that have been tried and tested with popular CAD software.

These are often referred to as "certified devices" by the software manufacturer.

If the graphics card you're considering is supported by the CAD software you're going to use, you'll have much more confidence when buying it.

Modification of drivers for CAD graphics cards

Sometimes users themselves take matters into their own hands to upgrade their multimedia graphics card to a true professional CAD card. Some time ago, ATI card users noticed that the GPUs used in gaming applications differ slightly. And a large part of their difference were drivers determining whether they belonged to one or the other product group.

From here, it is a simple way to the idea of unlocking hidden CAD functionalities.

On the web you can find modified drivers for some cards and a comparison of their performance.

At one time, ATI was favorable to the driver modding movement. So it is worth checking whether our equipment allows access to hidden possibilities. For free and with considerable satisfaction.

Summary

The market for graphics cards used for gaming and entertainment is dominated by many brands, both established and lesser-known. In comparison, the market for graphics cards for CAD applications is smaller and concentrated on a few manufacturers. So, can you use popular gaming graphics cards for specialized CAD applications, or do you have to buy expensive professional cards?

Popular gaming graphics cards such as Nvidia, ATI, and Intel often have impressive specifications, but there are key factors that set them apart from workstation graphics cards for CAD applications.

It is worth noting that the popularity of computer games and multimedia applications makes the market for graphics cards for gaming richer than the market for graphics cards for CAD applications. Thanks to the dynamic development of multimedia, e-sports and interest in virtual reality, the importance of gaming graphics cards is unlikely to decrease, but on the contrary - it will grow.

So, are popular gaming graphics cards suitable for CAD applications? Unfortunately, not always. Graphics cards for CAD applications have specially designed graphics processors and drivers that provide optimal performance and stability for CAD programs. For gaming graphics cards, their GPUs and drivers are optimized for gaming performance, not CAD applications. In addition, graphics cards for CAD applications have special features, such as improved support for large 3D models, which are not available in graphics cards for gamers.

So invest in professional graphics cards for CAD applications, such as Nvidia Quadro and AMD FirePro, which provide optimal performance and stability for CAD programs. Of course, the costs of such cards are much higher than those of gaming graphics cards, but their performance is unrivaled in CAD applications.

In conclusion, popular gaming graphics cards such as Nvidia, ATI, and Intel are not suitable for CAD applications because they do not have specially designed GPUs and drivers that provide optimal performance and stability for CAD programs. It is worth investing in professional graphics cards for CAD applications, such as Nvidia Quadro and AMD FirePro, which are optimized specifically for CAD programs.

02 Aug 2023