SolidWorks continues to update the list of mobile workstations certified for SolidWorks 2010.  The last two generations of mobile workstations from Dell and HP using nVidia Quadro FX graphics are certified for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of XP and Vista.    The Lenovo ThinkPad W700 has been certified with Quadro FX3700M graphics only, but the FX2700M graphics should work fine.   All of these models are expected to be certified for Windows 7, as well.

The older Dell Precision M90 and M65 notebooks have been certfied for 32-bit XP/Vista only.  These notebooks can address a maximum of 3.2GB RAM, so 64-bit operation doesn’t make much sense anyway.  The Vista driver should work for Windows 7, but probably will not be certfied.  These are the last drivers that will be available for these computers.    Kudos to Dell for supporting these systems with updated drivers.  The same generation notebooks from HP (nw8440/9440) and Lenovo (T60p) will not be getting updated drivers.

The only notebook with ATI FireGL or FirePro graphics certified so far is the Dell M6400 with FirePro M7740 graphics.  The Lenovo ThinkPad W500 and models of the HP 8530w/8730w with ATI graphics will probably be certified eventually, but it’s not certain.    We recommend sticking with Quadro FX graphics, at least for the time being.

For the most up to date certification information, see http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/videocardtesting.html.  Look up notebooks by computer manufacturer, not by the graphics manufacturer.

Contrary to our previous announcement, SolidWorks 2011 WILL continue to support the Windows XP Professional operating system.

Intel Quietly Ships Faster Xeon 3500 Series Processors

Without much fanfare, Intel has begun shipping new and faster Xeon 3500 Series processors.  The new W3580 and W3550 CPUs run at 3.33 and 3.06 GHz, marginally faster than the 3.2/2.93 GHz W3570 and W3540 chips introduced earlier this year.  So far, Lenovo is the only major workstation manufacturer listing these chips as options and they are priced exactly the older and slower parts.

Intel has also been releasing more details on the forthcoming “Lynnfield” processors, which will be the Nehalem architecture for mainstream and consumer markets.  The consumer versions of the processors will be dubbed the Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 and will require different (and much less expensive) motherboards from the current Core i7 and Xeon 3500 Series.  The Core i5 and new Core i7 look particularly interesting.  They will have only dual channel memory, which will reduce bandwidth somewhat, but will make up for it with faster turbo modes (important for SolidWorks performance) and lower power consumption.  It’s unknown whether Intel will come out with Xeon-branded versions with ECC memory support, but I hope they do.  This would be the optimal platform for entry and mainstream SolidWorks users.

The following are recommendations for new workstations for SolidWorks. See http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/SystemRequirements.html for minimum requirements.

SolidWorks 2009 Hardware Recommendations 090812

Please contact Jim Zink at (763) 560-8600 x219 for more specific recommendations.

SolidWorks Corporation has newly certified updated drivers for both Windows XP and Vista for desktop nVidia Quadro FX graphics cards.  These drivers support the full range of desktop boards – from the three year old FX 540/1400/3400 generation to the newest products.  Download the new drivers from www.solidworks.com/sw/videocardtesting.html .  Be sure to follow installation instructions carefully.