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How Often Should We Update Our Graphics Card?

Question asked by Rebecca Bennett on Sep 17, 2019
Latest reply on Dec 12, 2019 by Jeremy RIEDEL

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I was having an issue a couple of months ago and my VAR suggested that I update my graphic card. I informed him that that was one of the first things we (my IT guy and I, since I'm not allowed to without them) did a week earlier to try and curb the problem. His response was that "They (being the card manufacturers I suppose) update those updates all of the time"? To appease him, we updated it, again. Only this time it came back with a notification saying it needed to be updated, even though we'd just done it two minutes before. His reply to that was that apparently this notification is a "known bug" and not to worry?

So, now that's it's been a couple of months of dismissing this "Graphics Card Is Out-Of-Date!" notification, when do I get to bother my IT guy again about updating it again, and hopefully get this silly reminder out of my face? I am noticing some slow graphics responses in the last week at least.

Thought that perhaps this community would be as good as any expert in knowing when to schedule necessary updates.

Jeremy RIEDEL Dec 12, 2019 9:43 AM

Correct Answer

Rebecca Bennett

If you are using an NVIDIA Quadro M4000 then you have a nice card. It will outperform low end graphics cards released more recently.

However, in every case, the card performance will 100% depend on what you are using it for. Rendering vs modeling vs huge assembly manipulation and so on. Always work with your VAR to find proper hardware solutions. The community will offer great feedback and I would encourage asking for opinions, just remember that the VARs will support you and backup their solution.

NVIDIA R440 Branch is currenlty in testing. Please head over to Advanced Driver Search | NVIDIA and try the latest U4 which came out 2 days ago.

I will have more info coming to the forums soon, please check back.

PS. Right click on the SOLIDWORKS Resource Monitor in your system tray and dismiss graphics notifications.

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Frederick Law Sep 17, 2019 4:49 PM

Check SW driver site monthly and update when there is new certified driver.

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Rebecca Bennett @ Frederick Law on Sep 17, 2019 5:09 PM

Sounds like a good plan to me. But then, how can I tell which driver is mine?

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Joe Ourada @ Rebecca Bennett on Sep 17, 2019 5:15 PM

Make sure you select Dell for your computer vendor and Precision Tower 5810 for your computer model. That will narrow down your available drivers to the 2 that are currently certified.

I would try the more recent driver version to test out first. If you still have performance issues and notifications, you may want to try the other older certified driver next.

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Rebecca Bennett @ Joe Ourada on Sep 17, 2019 5:19 PM

Yup, for some reason my computer choice didn't take:

Seems a pain to have to try two "Justin Case" since I can't do it by myself. I was hoping I could at least check by myself. Our IT isn't going to have time to check it monthly. But, this time table could at least be an indicator that I might really need the assistance.

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Frederick Law @ Rebecca Bennett on Sep 17, 2019 5:26 PM

Move mouse on top of the icons under Notes and see what they are.

Also read the "Notes".

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Rebecca Bennett @ Frederick Law on Sep 17, 2019 5:43 PM

Well, I did check the notes, BUT, I didn't recheck them after getting my computer make to go in.
The one matches, yay?

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Frederick Law @ Rebecca Bennett on Sep 18, 2019 8:19 AM

Yes, you're using 430.64.

Try 431.70 if you still have problem.

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Frederick Law @ Rebecca Bennett on Sep 18, 2019 8:56 AM

Latest version is 431.86, released on Sep 4.

Let see how long it take to certify.

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Frederick Law @ Rebecca Bennett on Sep 17, 2019 5:16 PM

431.70 is the latest one.

IT will know if its DCH.

In Device Manager:

You'll see driver version: 26.21.14.3186.

For nVidia, the last 5 number 43186 = 431.86 for download driver version.

Actions

Joe Ourada Sep 17, 2019 5:06 PM

As Frederick Law stated, check for certified drivers for your workstation and solidworks release.

From the workstation specs in your profile, there are 2 certified drivers you can download and test either version to see if your notification goes away or if your graphics improve.

SOLIDWORKS Hardware Certification | Hardware & System Requirements | SOLIDWORKS

The full driver version number will be shown when you click on the notes to the right of the driver versions.

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Maha Nadarasa Sep 18, 2019 9:04 AM

It is up to SWX authorities. If your previous GC is not compatible with the latest version of SWX you have to update it. In fact you have very little control over it.

Actions

Jeremy RIEDEL Dec 12, 2019 9:43 AM

Rebecca Bennett

If you are using an NVIDIA Quadro M4000 then you have a nice card. It will outperform low end graphics cards released more recently.

NVIDIA R440 Branch is currenlty in testing. Please head over to Advanced Driver Search | NVIDIA and try the latest U4 which came out 2 days ago.

I will have more info coming to the forums soon, please check back.

PS. Right click on the SOLIDWORKS Resource Monitor in your system tray and dismiss graphics notifications.

Actions

12 Replies

Frederick Law Sep 17, 2019 4:49 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Check SW driver site monthly and update when there is new certified driver.
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- Rebecca Bennett @ Frederick Law on Sep 17, 2019 5:09 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Sounds like a good plan to me. But then, how can I tell which driver is mine?
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
  - Joe Ourada @ Rebecca Bennett on Sep 17, 2019 5:15 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Make sure you select Dell for your computer vendor and Precision Tower 5810 for your computer model. That will narrow down your available drivers to the 2 that are currently certified.
    
    I would try the more recent driver version to test out first. If you still have performance issues and notifications, you may want to try the other older certified driver next.
    Like • Show 2 Likes2
    Actions
    - Rebecca Bennett @ Joe Ourada on Sep 17, 2019 5:19 PM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      Yup, for some reason my computer choice didn't take:
      Seems a pain to have to try two "Justin Case" since I can't do it by myself. I was hoping I could at least check by myself. Our IT isn't going to have time to check it monthly. But, this time table could at least be an indicator that I might really need the assistance.
      Like • Show 1 Like1
      Actions
      - Frederick Law @ Rebecca Bennett on Sep 17, 2019 5:26 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Move mouse on top of the icons under Notes and see what they are.
        Also read the "Notes".
        Like • Show 3 Likes3
        Actions
        Rebecca Bennett @ Frederick Law on Sep 17, 2019 5:43 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Well, I did check the notes, BUT, I didn't recheck them after getting my computer make to go in.
        The one matches, yay?
        Like • Show 1 Like1
        Actions
        Frederick Law @ Rebecca Bennett on Sep 18, 2019 8:19 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Yes, you're using 430.64.
        Try 431.70 if you still have problem.
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
        Actions
        Frederick Law @ Rebecca Bennett on Sep 18, 2019 8:56 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Latest version is 431.86, released on Sep 4.
        Let see how long it take to certify.
        Like • Show 1 Like1
        Actions
  - Frederick Law @ Rebecca Bennett on Sep 17, 2019 5:16 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    431.70 is the latest one.
    IT will know if its DCH.
    In Device Manager:
    You'll see driver version: 26.21.14.3186.
    For nVidia, the last 5 number 43186 = 431.86 for download driver version.
    Like • Show 2 Likes2
    Actions
Joe Ourada Sep 17, 2019 5:06 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
As Frederick Law stated, check for certified drivers for your workstation and solidworks release.

From the workstation specs in your profile, there are 2 certified drivers you can download and test either version to see if your notification goes away or if your graphics improve.

SOLIDWORKS Hardware Certification | Hardware & System Requirements | SOLIDWORKS

The full driver version number will be shown when you click on the notes to the right of the driver versions.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
Maha Nadarasa Sep 18, 2019 9:04 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
It is up to SWX authorities. If your previous GC is not compatible with the latest version of SWX you have to update it. In fact you have very little control over it.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Jeremy RIEDEL Dec 12, 2019 9:43 AM
Unmark Correct
Correct Answer
Rebecca Bennett

If you are using an NVIDIA Quadro M4000 then you have a nice card. It will outperform low end graphics cards released more recently.

However, in every case, the card performance will 100% depend on what you are using it for. Rendering vs modeling vs huge assembly manipulation and so on. Always work with your VAR to find proper hardware solutions. The community will offer great feedback and I would encourage asking for opinions, just remember that the VARs will support you and backup their solution.

NVIDIA R440 Branch is currenlty in testing. Please head over to Advanced Driver Search | NVIDIA and try the latest U4 which came out 2 days ago.

I will have more info coming to the forums soon, please check back.

JR

PS. Right click on the SOLIDWORKS Resource Monitor in your system tray and dismiss graphics notifications.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions

How Often Should We Update Our Graphics Card?

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