Eyefinity drives 3 or more displays simultaneously.

Eyefinity lets you drive 3 or more independent displays simultaneously from a single low-power FirePro graphics card. This technology is great for CAD users because it enables you to multi-task different workflow applications on each display or span a single CAD application across multiple displays as one desktop workspace. Check out this video showing using a three-display configuration driven by a single laptop and then tell me you don’t want it.

DisplayPort for Graphics Cards and Display Manufacturers

Whether you are talking AMD FirePro or Nvidia Quadro, DisplayPort has become the standard output port for both consumer and professional graphics cards. Yes, there are legacy DVI ports on some cards and there are even cards specifically designed to address the legacy market (e.g., FirePro V5800 DVI). But largely the debate about standards is over, and DisplayPort is here to stay. (I have written about the advantages of DisplayPort previously.)

But while the graphics card manufacturers embraced DisplayPort early on, the display manufacturers (Apple aside) have only recently made the switch. Beginning in 2010, Asus, Dell, HP LaCie, Lenovo, and NEC released more than 80 displays supporting DisplayPort. But there are still a lot more displays released with only the less expensive DVI or VGA input connectors.

So What Do I Do with My Older Monitors? Can I Still Use Eyefinity?

So what do you do if you have a display/monitor released before 2010 that only has single-link or dual-link DVI inputs? Or perhaps more interestingly, what if you want to set up a 3- or 4-display visual workspace for your CAD workflow using Eyefinity, but some or all of the displays you plan to use only have DVI/HDMI/VGA inputs?

Next, I'll talk about DisplayPort adapters that can help you do just that.

Author: Tony DeYoung

Topics: Workstations, Hardware, Displays, Graphics Card, Graphics Cards, Eyefinity, Video Cards, Dell Workstations, Display, CAD

Many users may not realize that Revit has two graphic systems supporting model display.

Topics: Workstations, Autodesk, Graphics Card, Revit, GPU, Graphics Cards, Video Cards, CAD

Topics: Dell Business Workstation, Workstations, Hardware, AutoCAD, WiFi, Connectivity, Dell Workstations, CAD

The first post in this series discussed upgrade procedures under various organizational structures. Now, we dive into prioritizing upgrades. One thing is certain: as long as CAD software increases in power there will always be a need for upgrading and replacing CAD workstations.

Topics: Dell Business Workstation, Workstations, RAM, Hardware, Graphics Card, Hard Drive, Processors, Memory, Upgrade, Video Cards, Operating System, Windows, CAD

Topics: Dell Business Workstation, Workstations, RAM, Hardware, Graphics Card, Hard Drive, Processors, Memory, Upgrade, Video Cards, Operating System, Windows, CAD

Since high performance, high scalability workstations can cost a bit more than traditional desktops or laptops, people should do some comparison shopping first. An entry-level desktop workstation can be both price competitive and still offer many features of traditionally higher priced workstations. So what should you look for when you are comparing hardware features?

Topics: Dell Business Workstation, Workstations, Solid Edge, RAM, Hardware, Graphics Card, Hard Drive, Processors, Operating Systems, GPU, Memory, Graphics Cards, Mobile Workstations, Video Cards, Operating System, Laptops, Dell Workstations, Windows, CAD

Topics: Workstations, Solid Edge, Hardware, Hard Drive, Mobile Workstations, CAD

Each mouse driver is slightly different, but all have the same basic functions. You will always have the ability to program mouse buttons when you have a multibutton mouse.

Topics: Autodesk, Accessories, AutoCAD, CAD

So far in this series, we've talked about why you want OpenCL, how it works, and how it will affect your CAD workflow. The question remains: what should you do about OpenCL right now?

Topics: Workstations, Graphics Card, Multi-Threading, Processors, GPU, Graphics Cards, CAD

The first post in this series discussed why you want OpenCL. The second post described how it works. This post discusses how OpenCL will affect your workflow.

Topics: Workstations, Graphics Card, Multi-Threading, Processors, GPU, Graphics Cards, Mobile Workstations, Connectivity, Video Cards, CAD