Video Card Causing High CPU Usage?

Discussion created by Shaun Danz on Dec 18, 2006
Latest reply on Jan 5, 2007 by 1-61YZ8K

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I have two computers that use SW 2007 full time. One of themruns fine but has a good video card, 2GB of memory, and a 3GHzprocessor. One of them is running very slowly. It has1GB of memory, a 2.4GHz processor, and a 64MB ATI Fire GL 880 videocard. The CPU and memory usage will go to 100% for 60 secondsat a time. I realize I should add memory, which will beinexpensive, but is it possible that the video card is causing thehigh CPU usage because the work is being off-loaded? I wasthinking about upgrading the video card to a 256MB ATI Fire GL X3AGP card, but want to make sure the video card is the problembefore forking out $750.

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Peter Gillespie Dec 18, 2006 8:13 PM
What are the actual processors in the computers? (P4, Core2Duo, etc)

Also, I don't know about ATI, but do you mean the ATI Fire GL 8800?
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Jeff Mirisola Dec 19, 2006 12:49 AM
No matter what, I'd upgrade the video card, but not to an ATI. Look at nVidia cards. It's been my experience that they perform better than the ATI.
As for whether or not the video card is the root cause, it very well may be but there are any number of things that could cause slowdowns: Network problems, processor speed, low/bad RAM.
I'd start with the video card and adding more RAM and go from there.
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Thomas S. Dec 19, 2006 5:05 AM
But, if I understand the above correctly, you have a computer that is 4-5 years old, right?! Then I see no reason in upgrading it. Toss it and buy a new one, and get more value for your money. IMHO
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- Shaun Danz @ Thomas S. on Dec 19, 2006 11:42 AM
  The processor that is causing the problems is a Pentium 4 2.4GHzwithout Hyperthreading and just a single core. The reason Ichose the ATI card is that the motherboard only supports AGP cards. I did spec a new system for my manager but he is squacking atthe price. I'll give him the option of upgrading but willtell him that there is no guarantee it will fix the problem.
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  - Peter Gillespie @ Shaun Danz on Dec 19, 2006 12:25 PM
    We just spend $2k on a decent system from Dell. 2.4 GHz Core2Duo, 2 GB memory, NVIDIA Quadro FX 550. I don't know your needs, but adding a little more $$ can get you a lot more machine. I would hope someone would be willing to spend $2k on a machine instead of $750 on a video card...Anyway, good luck. I would definitely ask about system specs (or do a search) to figure out what you need before buying, assuming your manager agrees to buying a system. Could save you some trouble!
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    - Shaun Danz @ Peter Gillespie on Dec 19, 2006 12:33 PM
      This is the system I spec'd to my manager for under $2400:
      
      2.4GHz Core2Duo
      2 GB NECC Memory
      512 Nvidia FX 4500 Video
      Windows XP Pro 32
      Two 160 GB SATA Hard Drives in RAID 0
      
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      - Shaun Danz @ Shaun Danz on Dec 19, 2006 1:22 PM
        I'm sorry. That's not the video card that came with the$2400 quote. It's the 256MB Nvidia FX 3450.
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        1-61YZ8K @ Shaun Danz on Jan 5, 2007 7:49 PM
        if your going to spend the money on a new workstation then buy oneof the nvidia quadro fx cards 256mb or higher. these cards wereoriginally created for solidworks. if your running sw07 i would gowith 2gb ddr2 memory or more. i would also recommend a 10,000 rpmhard drive. i am currently running a two 3.8ghz duel corecpu's. 4gb ddr2 5500, duel 512mb quadro fx 3450 video cards and a10,000 rpm 76gb raptor. also am running duel monitors.
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Video Card Causing High CPU Usage?

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