Quadro NVS 280 64MB - Anyone use this yet?

[abonney]

My workplace is thinking of going with the NVIDIA Quadro NVS 280 64MB for our replacement video cards. The workstation would be used primarily for CAD use, mostly 2D but some 3D. I was hoping that that card could support a dual monitor ( right now looking at 2 2005fpw's ) setup. I wanted to see if anyone here has had any experience with the card, and if so what are your thoughts? Here is the setup from the corporate website:

HP Compaq DC7600 Convertible Mini-Tower

Intel Pentium 4
3.2GHz Processor
800MHz FSB & 2MB L2 Cache
Intel 945G Chipset
1GB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM PC2 4200 Non-ECC
Memory expandable to 4GB through 4 memory sockets
80GB 7200 rpm hard disk drive
48X16X Combo Drive CD-RW & DVD ROM
Intel Extreme Graphics 2 (integrated with Intel 945G chipset)
3 full-height PCI slots on PCA
2 - 3.5" ATA Hard Drive & 3 - 5.25" half-height & 1 - 3.5" third height
2 - Front USB 2.0 & 6 - Rear USB 2.0
PS/2 Keyboard & Mouse
Integrated Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit ethernet for HP
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2
3-Year next-business day on-site warranty

Nvidia Quadro NVS 280 64 PCI-E Graphics

The above is unchangeable, the company has only one setup for Engineer workstations. Plus, they make us get 2 17" CRTs if we want to go with the dual monitor setup, which is awful! So if I go with the dual, then I would get the above system sans Quadro, then add the Quadro and another 2005fpw when I get my system. You think this rig is capable of not choking on large Raster images in CAD?

Thanks!

 

[JonnyBlaze]

the nvs series isnt meant for cad usage. go with a top end gaming card. they run autocad perfect.

 

[abonney]

What application should the NVS used for then? I would like to bring this up with the Information Systems manager at the office. Thanks!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: abonney
What application should the NVS used for then? I would like to bring this up with the Information Systems manager at the office. Thanks!

The NVS is for 2D productivity - running lots of monitors of Excel, Word, and other simple applications. Financial institutions, stock trading, stuff like that.

If you're limited to the Quadro series, you want at *least* an FX 1300 for CAD usage. Also ask that they have a look at the FireGL lineup.

- M4H

 

[abonney]

I just looked into the cost of the 1300 and that is a 300% increase in price! The FireGL on the other hand, ATI FireGL V3100 128MB, PCI-Express, is much more doable at a little over 2 bills. IYO what do you think is the better card, and does the performance/price ratio justify the Quadro 1300?

 

[JonnyBlaze]

if your working strictly in autocad, it doesnt matter 2d or 3d any new geforce card will work fine for you. the quadros shine in 3d modeling apps like inventor / pro e ect...