Autocad slow

[Jozi68]

Hi All,

 

I have a Dell Precision M6500 with the following specs:

 

Processor : One Intel Core i7-820QM(1.73GHz. 8MB.Quad Core) 1 S

Memory : 8GB(4x2GB)1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel 1 S

Hard Drive : 250GB Serial ATA (7200RPM) (Free fall sensor) 1 S

Graphics : 1 GB GDDR5 for ATI FirePro M7740 (with 1GB dedicated memory) 1 S

Operating System : English Genuine Windows 7 Ultimate (64Bit OS)

I use Civil 3D, and find it EXTREMELY slow. Any ideas?

[ReMark]

With those specs your machine should be smokin'!

 

Is this something new (the problem) or has it been this way right from the beginning?

[Jozi68]

I'ts been like this since I got it about 2 months ago.

I've often noticed some processors parked, not sure if this has anything to do with it.

[ReMark]

Click on the down arrow next to the words Computer Details under my avatar. You'll see our computers are somewhat similar yet I have no problem running AutoCAD 2010. Have you done any "tweaking" that may have influenced the way your system performs using Civil 3D?

[Jozi68]

I've done no tweaking.

[ReMark]

Do you attach Xrefs to your drawings?

 

Are the scalelists of the drawings bloated?

 

Are you working on a standalone computer or off a network?

[Jozi68]

I use xrefs a lot, not working on a network.

I'm not sure what you mean by scalelists being bloated.

[stevsmith]

Is your copy of Civil 3D 64bit or 32bit. Is this a recent upgrade of machinery?

For example did you have an older computer with a 32 bit o/s and upgraded the hardware, but not the software?

[Jozi68]

I think it is 64bit, how can I be sure?

This is a brand new laptop, came out with Win 7 ultimate 64 bit.

[stevsmith]

Typically when you install the software the desktop icon should say (for example) "AutoCAD 2010 64bit"

If you have change name of the shortcut on your desktop like I do, then go to your control panel and select Add or Remove programs and scroll down the list. it should tell you there.

[Jozi68]

The icon says: AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 Metric

But I see the installation is in "C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010\acad.exe".

It is the x86 that is worrying me. Anyone knows what this means?

[ReMark]

I believe that means it is a 32-bit program.

 

Slow perform can also be affected by your hardware acceleration level. AutoDesk recommends that the level be reduced if your machine seems sluggish.

[stevsmith]

I believe that means it is a 32-bit program.

 

 

Really? I was under the impression that a 32bit o/s was classed as x64 and a 64bit o/s was classed as x86.

 

Or am I having one of those bad days again

[ReMark]

Don't change your mind yet Steve. I may well be wrong. Haven't had my 10 cups of coffee yet. Head is kind of fuzzy.

[Jozi68]

I'm pretty sure that x86 means 32bit.

How does one reduce your hardware acceleration level?

[ReMark]

Type 3Dconfig at the command line and press Enter.

 

This will bring up the Adaptive Degradation & Performance Tuning window.

 

Look to the right. Click on the Manual Tune button.

 

This will bring up the Manual Performance Tuning window.

 

At the very top, under the words Hardware Settings there should be a checkbox for Enable hardware acceleration. It should be checked off.

 

Is there a yellow triangle with an exclamation point in it next to the box?

[stevsmith]

An extract from Wiki.

 

As the x86 term became common after the introduction of the 80386, it usually implies binary compatibility with the 32-bit instruction set of the 80386. This may sometimes be emphasized as x86-32 to distinguish it either from the original 16-bit x86-16 or from the newer 64-bit x86-64 (also called x64). Although most x86 processors used in new personal computers and servers have 64-bit capabilities, to avoid compatibility problems with older computers or systems, the terms x86-64 and x64 are often used to denote 64-bit software, with the term x86 implying only 32-bit.

 

 

Looks like it was my lack of coffee this morning. Duh

Although can Wiki be trusted?

[Jozi68]

I switched it off.

Yes, there's a yellow triangle with an exclamation point in it next to the box.

I don't think it made a difference though.

[ReMark]

I'd close out AutoCAD and shut down the computer, wait 20 seconds, reboot and then load up AutoCAD and see what happens.

Edited January 9, 2011 by ReMark

[Raudel Solis]

rebooting does no **** unless the computer is a ram hog which by its description theres no trouble there

my laptop does the same, i got a hp laptop with beats audio

core i7 720 qm

dam if i had know 840 qm and a 1920*1080 wide screen was available built in i would have gotten it

but oh well... anywAYS

check the clock speed while rendering

mine stays solid at 1.73

im guessing yours does the same

also ive noticed when i hit cancel sometimes it hits the turbo and renders fast, but then executes the cancel command

but i KNOW IT CAN RENDER AT FAST SPEEDS BECAUSE IT DID IT WHEN I HIT CANCEL IN VARIOUS OCCASIONS