Autocad Benchmark using Cadalyst 2008 - Results

[doug.55667]

I just go a new HP 8710 Mobile Workstation. So far this computer is a solid investment. The time savings will pay for it in a few months.

OS Platform : XP SP3
AutoCAD version : 2009
Graphics Window size : 1280x1024
Test Date (Time) : 8-14-08
Computer Brand : HP Compaq 8710w Mobile Workstaion
CPU Type : Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 @ 2.6GHz
System RAM : 4.0GB (only 3GB are recognized as "freee")
Graphics Card : nvidia Quadro FX 1600m
Graphics Card driver : 6.14.11.6758
Number of Test Loops : 1

C2008 Total Index = 191
3D Graphics Index = 218
2D Graphics Index = 261
Disk Index = 97
CPU Index = 187
Single Loop Time = 61 min

[Scott Hillman]

Dell precision 390
Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86GHz, 2GB ram
768MB nVidia Quadro FX4600
Driver Version 6.14.11.6996
OS Windows XP SP2
AutoCAD 2009

C2008 Version 5.1 (July, 200

C2008 Total Index = 268

3D Graphics Index = 677
2D Graphics Index = 167
Disk Index = 106
CPU Index = 121

Single Loop Time = 30 min.

[Ted Foureagles]

Dell Precision 530 MT
Dual Xeon 1.7 GHz
3DLabs Wildcat II 5110
Driver 6.5.006.18
Dual SCSI Quantum Atlas 36 drives
XP Pro SP3
4 GB (3 GB switch)
ADT 2007 SP1 standalone installation
C2008 v5.0

Tried running combined 3D/2D fo 20 hours -- no go.

2D only:
2D index = 34.6
Disk Index = 61.2
CPU Index = 41.5
Single Loop Time = 72 min.

Trying to run 3D alone now -- not looking good.

I'm evaluating this old workhorse with an eye toward buying it as a stopgap machine until I can afford better. Performance is underwhelming. I'm thinking I'll have to at least upgrade the graphics card & drives, which makes the purchase price of $1,400 for the workstation seem unreasonable.

}}}}

[mdrabic.186488]

OS: Vista Business 32-bit
Autocad Version: Map 3d 2009
Resolution: 1680x1050
Computer Brand: Xi Custom Build
CPU: Core2Duo 3.17Ghz
RAM: 4.0GB
Hard Drive: 150G WD Raptor 10000RPM
Graphics Card: Pny Overclocked 8600 GT 512M
Graphics Card Driver: 7.15.11.7824

Total Index: 170
3d Graphics Index: 137
2d Graphics Index: 181
Disk Index: 164
CPU Index: 196
Single Loop Time: 78 min

Marty Drabic
Hill Engineering, Inc.

[kerbocad]

thanks for sharing everybody... that is great info!

See attached: this is a mix of Dell 380/390/T3400 (8 workstations). All the video cards are Nvidia Quadro's. Most systems have the 3G switch set.

C2008 V5.1

[navisworks]

OS Platform : Vista 64bit sp1
AutoCAD version : 2009 update 2
Computer Brand : Custom build. motherboard GA-EP35-DS3P
CPU Type : Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 3.33GHz @ 4.3GHz (overclocked)
System RAM : 8GB 800MHz @ 860MHz
Harddrive: 300GB WD Velociraptor
Graphics Card : ATI FireGL 3600 256mb @ 729mhz gpu, 585mhz ram (overclocked)
Graphics Card driver : 8.501.0.0
Enhanced 2d performance and texture compression = off
Surfaces and Curves slide bars at low detail
Adeskhardwarecompatibility list version 17.2.0.5
Number of Test Loops : 1

Graphics Window size : 1024x768
C2008 Total Index = 302
3D Graphics Index = 302
2D Graphics Index = 422
Disk Index = 200
CPU Index = 284
Single Loop Time = 32 min

Graphics Window size : 1920x1200
C2008 Total Index = 273
3D Graphics Index = 180
2D Graphics Index = 422
Disk Index = 207
CPU Index = 282
Single Loop Time = 37 min

Graphics Window size : 3840x1200 (2x 24" monitors)
C2008 Total Index = 263
3D Graphics Index = 148
2D Graphics Index = 424
Disk Index = 193
CPU Index = 286
Single Loop Time = 40 min

The larger screen size reduces the 3D Graphics Index quite a bit.

[msanor]

Hello all,

I am completely new to AutoCad, and I am working on a performance theory in my lab. I have downloaded the 30 trial of AutoCAD 2009, installed it, loaded the Cadalyst 2008 files, and the instructions included appear to be for AutoCAD 2008, and I want to make sure that the results I am seeing are valid for the benchmark.

Can anyone PLEASE help me with how to run the 2D and 3D suites inside AutoCAD 2009. I can get the 'robot' to load, and when I type GSTESTBenchmark, it runs thru a 'script' and the image rotates, etc. but, I'm not sure that is the complete test, etc.

Any assistance you could provide me regarding this would be a HUGE benefit for my application theory.

[navisworks]

The instructions are valid for 2009 too. In the readme file Readme_C2008_v5.1.txt under getting started section, it says to rename GFXTEST_xxxx.ARX as GFXTEST.ARX. I am using 64bit autocad2009, so I renamed gfxtest_acad2009_64bit.arx to gfxtest.arx

Then setup the 3d settings by typing 'options', go to the 'system' tab, click 'performance settings' and turn off 'adaptive degradation', then click 'manual tune' and set 'number of tessellations to cache' to 10. enable 'hardware accelaration' and set 'driver name' to direct3d for vista, or opengl for xp. You may want to click 'check for updates' to get the latest hardware compatibility list.
Then you set sdi to 1 by typing sdi enter 1 enter, then restart autocad, then type appload, browse to the cadalyst directory, select C2008_go.lsp and click load then click close, and thats how the test is run.

[msanor]

Ok, After painfully learning how to run this benchmark (never used AutoCAD before this experiment)

Here are my results:
C2008 Total Index = N/A
3D Graphics Index = N/A
2D Graphics Index = 310
Disk Index = 196
CPU Index = 276

Single Loop Time = 10 min

I think it would have gone even faster, but, I noticed the 'pauses' placed within the test, and I believe that added to my overall time...?

The other part is that I believe I saturated my CPU with data, and that even with my Quad Core CPU, I think my bottle neck was my processor.

More tests coming! Thanks for your help with this experiment!

[cadtag]

The other part is that I believe I saturated my CPU with data, and that even with my Quad Core CPU, I think my bottle neck was my processor.

Since you're new to Acad, you probably are not aware that AutoCAD takes very little (that is, damn near none!) advatage of multiple cores. So an Acad benchmark should give failrysimilar results whether one or four cores is available. A second processor is helpful for off loading the MSWindows background cruft, but does not directly benefit Acad, except in a few specific instances e.g. rendering.

Try running the same benchmark with Task Manager open, and watch one processor slam while the others barely twitch. And if your BIOS lets you, try disabling the 2nd thru 4th cores and compare results.