In a previous Tech Tip, Network Slowdown, we discussed some options to help your SolidWorks performance when operating over a network. One of the options garnered some interest: How to dedicate a processor/core solely to SolidWorks to help keep it from fighting or the processor. Well, here’s how
you do it!

First, Open the Task Manager and go to the Processes Tab:

Right Click on SldWorks.exe and click Set Affinity:

Then, select the CPU/Core you wish SolidWorks to use.

If you want to make that processor completely reserved for SolidWorks, it will take a bit of manual effort. You’ll have to go down the list of other processes and turn off their affinity for the processor you want
SolidWorks on. If you’re not running many other things that are eating CPU time that might not be as critical.

There are also Third Party programs out there you can download to help manage this as well.

This alone is definitely no fix all in the world of SolidWorks performance. However, if you’re looking for every ounce of extra performance, this can help a little!

As a member of the Technical Support Team at Symmetry Solutions, each year we are required to be recertified by SolidWorks.  Part of the recertification test is focused on new functionality and features for the latest release of SolidWorks.  As you may or may not know, there is a “What’s New” file for every new release of the software that documents these changes.  You can access this file from your help menu in SolidWorks.  Like many, I am one of those people that scan the document for some highlights when I install each new release.  However, since my recertification test was approaching, I thought I would give it a more thorough read.  You know what I discovered (again)?  There is a lot of good information in that document.  I won’t try and summarize the entire thing, but here is one tip that I think may be useful if you are in the process of updating hardware:

“You can transfer a license from a computer even if SolidWorks is no longer installed on that computer. You can download and run SolidWorks Activation Wizard from the SolidWorks customer portal to transfer the license.”

So now when you get that annoying message about “Activation Count Exceeded” because you forgot to transfer the license off of your old computer, you no longer need to call technical support to resolve the problem.

Note, the tool is new and currently only applies to SW2011 installations.

Take some time and read through the “What’s New” document (again).  It may not be the most fun reading material available, but I recommend it for all SolidWorks users, as it can help you get the most from your software.

P.S.  You will be happy to know that all the members of your SolidWorks Technical Support Team here at Symmetry Solutions passed their recertification test.

Hi everyone – we have a very popular lunch and learn webinar archived for our active subscription service customers regarding the very latest in hardware and a peek at what’s coming soon. Registration and acknowledgment of subscription service is required.

Here are the URL’s that are used in the webinar. Enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y99mD_A1uug

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/workstation-graphics-charts/SPECapc-SolidWorks-2007-Overall-Score,123.html

http://www.hardcorecomputer.com/ProductConfigurator_productReactorX.aspx

http://www.solidmuse.com

http://www.develop3d.com

http://www.tomshardware.com

http://www.anandtech.com

http://www.xbitlabs.com

HP is the first workstation vendor to announce support for Intel’s new six core Xeon 3600 and 5600 Series processors. They also announced the Elitebook Pro 8740w Mobile Workstation and a small footprint version of the entry level E200 workstation.

Of most interest to SolidWorks users is the 3.33 GHz six core Intel® Xeon® Processor W3680 which will be available on the HP Z400 in April. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but Intel prices the new six core CPU exaclty the same as the four core w3580 that it replaces. HP has also started shipping Z400 models with six DIMM slots, so they can be configured with up 24 GB RAM.

There are more choices in the Xeon 5600 Series supported on the HP Z600 and Z800 dual socket systems. The 5600 series includes six core CPUs at up to 3.33 GHz and four core CPUs at up to 3.47 GHz. Very few SolidWorks users, will benefit from more than six cores making it hard to justify the MUCh higher pricing for dual socket workstations.

The Elitebook 8740w Mobile Workstation is a powerhouse that will compete directly with the Dell Precision M6500 and Lenovo ThinkPad W701. A range of dual and quad core processors are available, as well as three different professional OpenGL graphic cards. Quad core systems can be configured with up to 16GB RAM, while dual core systems are limited to 8GB. (This is true of ALL Core i notebooks.) Dual core systems start at $1999 and configurations with quad core Core i7 720QM start at $2999.

The HP Z200 SFF Workstation packs workstation-class performance and reliability into a surprisingly small, sleek, and affordable package. A broad range of quad core Xeon 3400 Series and dual core Core i5/13 processors are available. The small form factor does entail some sacrifices: The available Quadro FX 380 LP graphics card is certified by SolidWorks, but it’s not a top performer. On the other hand, advanced thermal management allows you to install up to two 10,000 rpm Velociraptor hard drives in the compact chassis.

HP and Lenovo have begun shipping new mobile workstations that offer exceptional performance and mobility at affordable prices. Lenovo has also announced, but is not yet shipping, a new high-end ThinkPad for power users. Finally, Dell has also introduced new lower cost Intel Dual Core Processor i5/i7 options for their top end Precision 6500M.

HP Elitebooks

The HP Elitebook 8540w delivers a superb balance of performance and portability. Featuring a 15.6″ widescreen display and nVidia Quadro FX 880M graphics, the 8540w supports processors ranging from the dual core 2.4 GHz Core i5 520M to the quad core 1.73 GHz Core i7-820QM and can be configured with up to 16 GB RAM. They’ve even managed to fit a dedicated numeric keypad into the motherboard – very unusual for a 15″ notebook. HP is currently offering a nicely configured system with a 2.66 GHz dual core CPU (with a maximum Turbo Boost speed of 3.33 GHz!), 4GB RAM, and 320 GB hard drive for $1,679. Higher end configurations can easily top the $3,000 mark, but that is a fair price to pay for such a thoughtfully designed system.

For global engineers requiring even greater mobility, HP has introduced their thinnest and lightest mobile workstation ever, the HP Elitebook 8440w. With a starting weight of under 5 lbs, the 8440w sports a 14″ widescreen display, nVidia Quadro FX 380M graphics, and the same range of Core i5 and Core i7 processors as the larger 8540w, but the smaller system is limited to 8GB RAM.

Lenovo ThinkPads

The ThinkPad w510 may not be as sexy as the Elitebook 8540w (no dedicated numeric keypad) but it offers great performance, up to 16GB RAM, and a 15.6″ widescreen display at an aggressive price point. Lenovo forgoes the cheaper dual core CPUs and offers only industrial strength Intel Quad Core Processor i7 CPUs – up to the 2.0 GHz Intel Quad Core Extreme Processor i7-920XM. I put together a very nice system with a 1.7 GHz Intel Quad Core Processor i7 820QM CPU, 8GB RAM, Quadro FX 880M graphics and 320GB hard drive for under $2,100 – more than $1k less than comparably configured Elitebook 8540w.

Lenovo has announced, but is not yet shipping the high-end ThinkPak w701. With a 17″ display, nVidia Quadro FX 2800M/3800M graphics and choice of Intel Quad Core Processor i7 CPUs the ThinkPad w701 will offer exceptional performance. If money is no object, Lenovo offers a dual screen version and the option of an integrated Wacom digitizer for creative artists.

Dell Precision M6500

Introduced in December, Dell’s Precision M6500 was the first Core i7 based mobile workstation and still tops the wish list of many engineers. Unfortunately, pricing of Dell’s flagship mobile workstation put it out of reach for most. Dell is now offering lower cost Intel Dual Core Processor i5/i7 options for the M6500, but “lower” is a relative term. A Precision M6500 with a 2.66 GHz Intel Dual Core Processor i7-620M CPU, 4GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive and nVidia Quadro FX 2800M graphics still adds up to over $2,800 and the dual core models are limited to a maximum 8GB RAM.

Who wins this round?

The Lenovo ThinkPad w510 delivers the best peformance for the price, while the HP Elitebook w8540w gets kudos for incorporating a dedicated numeric keypad in a 15″ notebook. The Dell Precision M6500 is a true powerhouse for those who can afford it.