Tested cards 

• NVIDIA Quadro 2 MXR 
• NVIDIA Quadro 2 PRO 
• NVIDIA Quadro DCC 
• NVIDIA Quadro 4 500 XGL 
• NVIDIA Quadro 4 700 XGL 
• NVIDIA Quadro 4 750 XGL 
• NVIDIA Quadro 4 900 XGL 
• ATI FireGL 2 
• ATI FireGL 8800 
• ATI FireGL 8700 
• 3DLabs Wildcat VP870 

The following driver versions were used: 
The ATI FireGL2 was tested with the ver.2088, the ATI FireGL8x00 - ver.3036. The NVIDIA based cards were tested with the latest official available version - 4041. The 3Dlabs Wildcat VP870 ran under the ver. 0423. The VP870 was estimated both in the maximum geometry mode and in the maximum texture one. The Parhelia was used with the drivers 1.1.0.80. 
 

Test system configuration 

Testing technique 

Originally the test was written by the experts from www.solidworks.com in Visual Basic and C for Windows NT and Windows 2000. After that it was optimized by programmers from SPECapc. The test involves most functions frequently used in designer's daily work. The source codes of the test are open, and you can look through them. If you want to test your own system make sure that the installed SoldWorks 2001 is patched with the Service Pack 5 or a higher version. To avoid any problems it's better begin the test right after start-up of the system. After every test you should reboot the system. 

Like the Solid Edge, the today's test has very strong requirements for the system, and I recommend that you read the help file first. All the tests were carried out in 1280x1024 at 32bit color. 

The test consists of several subtests dealing with a processor, video system and so on. We are certainly interested in the video system test. There are three test stages. To compare the cards we calculated the arithmetic mean out of three possible values. The results obtained strongly depended on something we couldn't identify. Nevertheless, I think that the arithmetic mean does reflect the truth.

In the driver settings I switched off vertical synchronization, line anti-aliasing and enabled  optimization for the SolidWorks where it was possible. 

Tests 

First I will shows you screenshots of the test scenes so that you have an idea what's it's all about. ;-) It's a real problem to get them as according to the test terms we couldn't even move the mouse. But I still managed to get several screenshots. They are obtained on different cards as there is no noticeable difference between them, that is why you may think that they are received with the card you are mostly interested in. 

The output data are quite complicated; here are the results: 

sw2001.Result.graphics = 4.19 
sw2001.Result.graphics0.BottomCase.Time = 74.66 
sw2001.Result.graphics0.BottomCase.Ratio = 4.53 
sw2001.Result.graphics1.AssemblyLine.Time = 5.23 
sw2001.Result.graphics1.AssemblyLine.Ratio = 4.67 
sw2001.Result.graphics2.AssemblyLineTransparent.Time = 1.86 
sw2001.Result.graphics2.AssemblyLineTransparent.Ratio = 5.38 
sw2001.Result.graphics3.AirplaneEngine.Time = 30.30 
sw2001.Result.graphics3.AirplaneEngine.Ratio = 3.66 
sw2001.Result.graphics4.SuzukiEngine.Time = 66.06 
sw2001.Result.graphics4.SuzukiEngine.Ratio = 5.20 
sw2001.Result.graphics5.SuzukiEngineHLR.Time = 53.83 
sw2001.Result.graphics5.SuzukiEngineHLR.Ratio = 2.50 

Here I chose the first variable "sw2001.Result.graphics". You will understand why from the readme file for the test. Later you will see complete data for all cards in consideration with all these values. The table also shows arithmetic mean values as it makes no sense to include all data. 

So, here is the diagram we are going to use to compare the accelerators. 

The Quadro 2 copes with its task equally to the Quadro 4. None of the Quadro cards has problems with quality. The FireGL line is in the same situation, and the FireGL 2 proves again that it's not too old yet. 

Although the numbers are not great, they still show that even an owner of the Quadro 2 MXR can consider himself on owner of the Quadro 4 900 in operation in the SolidWorks 2001 :) 

Finally, here is the table I promised you; I guess the results need no commenting on. 
 

FireGL 2: 

FireGL 8700: 

FireGL 8800: 

Parhelia: 

Quadro 2 MXR: 

Quadro 2 PRO: 

Quadro DCC: 

Quadro 4 550: 

Quadro 4 700: 

Quadro 4 750: 

Quadro 4 900: 

VP870 Geometry: 

VP870 Textures: 

So, the test measures task fulfillment time and calculates a certain score in accordance with the results obtained. After all tasks are completed the test calculates a general score which is shown in the summary diagram. The above tables clearly show where the cards perform well and where they lose. 
 
 

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