Should I be expecting better performance?

[creyc]

I've used Autocad for small projects in the past (with excellent performance) but recently began using Autocad MEP 2011 for working with building blueprints and I'm kind of surprised by how sluggish it is. I'm by no means an Autocad expert, but I am familiar with other intensive computer graphics programs.

 

My typical projects are 2D, between 500KB and 5MB, with 50-200 layers all simple linework. Opening, navigating and working in the drawings can be an exercise in patience, especially if I accidentally leave the layers window open. ?? Some drawings take 4-5 minutes to load, or randomly hang the system throughout the drafting process.

 

The computer should be well equipped for running Autocad. It's a 64-bit Dell workstation, running Windows 7 (64) with a dual core Xeon processor. It's got 20GB of RAM and a Quadro FX4000 graphics card running two 30" screens.

 

I wonder if the large screen size could be affecting my performance? I've got the latest drivers from Nvidia, as well as the performance drivers for Autocad.

 

I would like to get the 2D performance stable and usable before even getting into the 3D duct and plumbing drawings I sometimes encounter, which absolutely force me into a wireframe model and rely on a click-drag-wait approach to getting around the model.

 

Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

[rkent]

I've used Autocad for small projects in the past (with excellent performance) but recently began using Autocad MEP 2011 for working with building blueprints and I'm kind of surprised by how sluggish it is. I'm by no means an Autocad expert, but I am familiar with other intensive computer graphics programs.

 

My typical projects are 2D, between 500KB and 5MB, with 50-200 layers all simple linework. Opening, navigating and working in the drawings can be an exercise in patience, especially if I accidentally leave the layers window open. ?? Some drawings take 4-5 minutes to load, or randomly hang the system throughout the drafting process.

 

The computer should be well equipped for running Autocad. It's a 64-bit Dell workstation, running Windows 7 (64) with a dual core Xeon processor. It's got 20GB of RAM and a Quadro FX4000 graphics card running two 30" screens.

 

I wonder if the large screen size could be affecting my performance? I've got the latest drivers from Nvidia, as well as the performance drivers for Autocad.

 

I would like to get the 2D performance stable and usable before even getting into the 3D duct and plumbing drawings I sometimes encounter, which absolutely force me into a wireframe model and rely on a click-drag-wait approach to getting around the model.

 

Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

 

Try out the different ideas in the attachment, also turn off all the Win7 bling like themes, etc., and try toggling hardware acceleration off (or on) to see how that works. Definitely don't keep the layer manager open, and don't move the command line. Also try using one monitor just to see how that works.

 

I have a similar setup, albeit not as loaded, and am amazed that autocad doesn't fly on it. They need to spend an update cycle getting the speed fixed.

SPEED UP AUTOCAD 5-12-10.pdf

[ReMark]

Yikes! AutoCAD MEP should just about break the sound barrier on a system with those specs. Which Dell workstation do you have? I have a coworker with a Dell workstation and he claims his system seems slower too no matter what Windows program he's working in.