NVIDIA is a well-known company that produces GPUs that are certified for SOLIDWORKS, but not all of their GPUs are certified. Both the Professional and Gaming lines contain strong GPUs and come out with newer and stronger versions year after year, but that doesn’t make them interchangeable as far as SOLIDWORKS is concerned. So how do you know if the graphics card is certified?
Let’s start with how to tell the difference between the two:
The easiest way to tell the difference is the naming convention. Gaming GPUs are part of the GeForce RTX 40 Series and have a name in the format of RTX 40XX such as GeForce RTX 4090 or GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER.
NVIDIA’s line of Professional Workstation GPUs is a part of the RTX Ada Generation and has a name in the format of RTX XX00 such as the NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada or the NVIDIA RTX 4000 SFF Ada.
NVIDIA GPU Naming Comparision Chart
This goes back through multiple Generations, the most recent of which can be seen below.
NVIDIA GPU Generation Chart
Now which one is best for SOLIDWORKS?
Now I love a good gaming setup as much as the next person, but ultimately Professional GPUs are best suited to SOLIDWORKS. Only the Professional line of GPUs is certified for SOLIDWORKS. In fact, the best way to know which GPU is certified for SOLIDWORKS is to check their page for the make and model you are considering to be sure it is listed on their page. You can even check compatibility and the recommended driver for the 4 most recent versions of SOLIDWORKS!
But why does it make a difference?
Workstation (Professional) GPUs are manufactured by NVIDIA to ensure the best performance and quality. This includes features like ECC (Error Correcting Code) memory for improved reliability and they often have larger memory capacities. They are also optimized and certified specifically for professional applications that involve CAD, 3D rendering, and scientific visualization.
Another important distinction is the Graphics drivers themselves. Professional GPUs come with certified drivers that ensure stability and compatibility with SOLIDWORKS, reducing the risk of crashes and errors. Anyone who has ever experienced a crash understands how crucial avoiding crashes is for maintaining productivity in professional environments. Preventing these issues before they happen can help keep things on schedule and prevent hours of headaches.
So how do I pick the best GPU for SOLIDWORKS?
The best way to select your GPU (and check the recommended driver) and know it is compatible with SOLIDWORKS will always be to check their certification page.
Hardware Certification Page
Now you know where to check if the GPU is certified, but if you are not sure how ‘strong’ of a card you need or are interested in specifications for other components, you can always take a look at our hardware recommendations: SOLIDWORKS 2024 Hardware Recommendations (javelin-tech.com)
If you’re towing a trailer or trying to zip around the country with as little fuel as possible, choosing the correct car for the job makes a big difference. While not always as obvious, so does your hardware. So, whether you are building sheet metal parts, or running simulations on large assemblies, make sure you have the right NVIDIA graphics card to optimize your SOLIDWORKS experience.
