A design that is processed and helped by the computers is called Computer-Aided Design (CAD). These designs are used in a range of different fields and these days, they’re quite popular. Since the digitization, companies have been keen on promoting online ad campaigns and that is where these designs come in really handy.
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CAD can help you create detailed, precise diagrams of the materials of the product, its dimensions and much more. Professional architects, structural engineers, drafters and artists are the main users of this software.
If you want to carry out some extremely unbelievable graphics, you’d need a good graphics card for that. It is also important to mention that this software comes in both 2D and 3D software so it is pretty necessary to have a graphics card in your laptop/computer to enjoy the graphics to the highest level. A good graphics card will also help in making the rendering process easy.
Therefore, you’d certainly need a graphic card if you want to take the best out of your CAD programs. If you have a high-quality GPU, you won’t face any issues with the graphics.
However, if you don’t have a good GPU then your computer will most probably render much slower. The operations will also slow down generally and you will get less efficient performance. The results will also become unrealistic since the major slump in performance whereas you’d also face issues with zooming and rotating.
It doesn’t matter if you are rendering 2D or 3D but if you have a good quality graphics card installed on your computer, it will certainly widen up the abilities of your CAD programs.
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Now choosing the most suitable option in terms of GPUs can be quite frustrating. That is why we have broken the available devices on the market to a list of Top 6 graphic cards for CAD. You’d get almost every necessary feature for CAD programs in the list of these devices.
Top 6 Best graphic cards for CAD
NVIDIA VCQP2000-PB Quadro P2000
Price: $438
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This is one of the most recommended graphic cards for CAD programs that is why it is on the list of best graphic cards for CAD. The name is VCQP2000-PB Quadro P2000 and it has been manufactured in the industries of NVIDIA. This card will give you a nice combination of performance and features because it has a soft corner for CAD programs as well.
You shouldn’t be worrying about any more power when you have got 75W in this device and it is an extremely efficient device because of its Pascal GPU architecture. The rendering is going to become lighting fast because of its 1024 CUDA cores. The designs will get the details right and you won’t find any trouble with the CAD programs as far as complicated projects are concerned.
The memory of 5GB is perhaps a little lower when compared to other graphic cards for CAD programs but we have noticed that this hasn’t affected the overall performance of the device either.
You can further enhance the performance of the device with the help of its NVLink technology that allows you to connect two Pascal-based Quadra Gp100’s with a powerful 32GB of HBM2 bandwidth memory.
It is still pretty powerful with 5GB and holds a low profile form factor that makes use of its footprint outstandingly and works really well with other compact workhouses. This is a pretty versatile device because it is coming with four ports and can be connected to at least four 4K monitors at 60Hz.
Benefits:
- Footprints are compact
- Four 4K display ports
- More peak memory
- Pascal Architecture
Drawbacks:
- Memory is a little low
AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100
Price: $458.32
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Besides graphic cards of NVIDIA, there are other options as that are highly recommended such as the AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100. It is an extremely powerful performer when it comes to visualization and simulation in SolidWorks.
It is coming with a small footprint that is ideal for compact workstations and it will also allow you to add another PCI add-in card in the future.
This 7100 CAD workstation is a pretty good budget option if you’re looking to have a VR-capable device for your designing solutions. This device is compatible with almost all the CAD tools that are currently being used by the professionals. The reason behind its long-lasting performance is the amazing build quality packed with powerful heat-sinks.
You’d also get a general 10-year warranty and the company also promises to give you impeccable results.
Even with the RealView and Ambient Occlusion effects turned on, we found out that the GPU performance is somehow similar to the NVIDIA cards.
This is backed up by the powerful 1188 MHz base clock speed. The 8GB memory also plays a pretty vital role in producing powerful and speedy results. However, If the graphic settings are put to extreme, you might feel a bit of difference in the quality. All the devices on this list of best graphic cards for CAD are something special in their own league.
Benefits:
- Design is simple and compact
- 4x Display ports are great
- 130W thermal design
- It comes with Eyefinity Multi-display technology
- Pretty quick and durable
Drawbacks:
- Expensive
- Graphics quality can go down if you increase the settings
PNY NVIDIA Quadro K1200
Price: $225.50
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With our list of best graphic cards for CAD, let’s get back to NVIDIA and here we have this PNY NVIDIA Quadro K1200 and it is an extremely good device for 2D applications. The rendering is good and it can also be used for gaming as well.
It supports AutoCAD and SolidWorks with the ability to produce higher-quality graphics compared to the others in the race. It is widely regarded as one of the most powerful GPUs that are currently available in a low-profile form factor.
This is a device that is suitable to work within smaller workstations. It doesn’t mean that it’s not a powerful and compatible device but still, it would be wiser to use it carefully. It is compatible with SFF desktops and ATX towers.
For your AutoCAD programs and designing, the 4GB GPU memory and 128-bit memory interface is more than enough. It also comes with 4x ports for displays that also include 4K monitors and despite all these features, it is still considered a very good budget option.
You’d face a slump in performance if you’re consistently working on 3D modes. Since we have made it clear that this device is only suitable for 2D mode.
Benefits:
- Powerful performer
- 4x DisplayPorts
- Cheap and affordable
- Better graphics quality than competitors
- AutoCAD and SolidWorks supported
Drawbacks:
- Not suitable for consistent 3D use
ASUS GeForce GTX 1080
Price: $824.99
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It is pretty important to include GPUs from ASUS in best graphic cards for CAD in 2021 because they’re one of the most trusted companies in any kind of industry. When it comes to GPUs, the GeForce GTX 1080 is perhaps one of the best choice graphic cards available for CAD programs.
The company claims about this device that it is made using the Auto-Extreme Technology that is only available within the companies’ own manufacturing industry.
“This device is a result of 100% automated production process that incorporates premium materials to set new quality standards,” says the manufacturers.
This company has always been good at anything they make but it is a well-known fact that GeForce series has specialized in high-quality graphic cards. The elegant design and stylish grey-black combination have the ability to simply blow you away. You’d also get RGB LEDs that are integrated into the cooler shroud.
It comes with 2560 CUDA cores with 8GB memory so you can expect a lot of great things as far as its graphics quality is concerned. This device is also pretty useful for gamers and you can also take out your CAD programs in 3D mode consistently. It also has two HDMI 2.0 ports allowing you to connect a headset and a 4k monitor for VR usage.
The full-spectrum lights have the ability to attract most of the customers and you can connect them with other LEDs in your workplace.
This device comes packing a powerful and efficient DIrectCU cooler that features 5 copper heat pipes and does a pretty amazing job at keeping the device away from overheating. That means, if you’re working for long hours consistently, you still won’t feel any trouble when it comes to working on large and mega projects.
Benefits:
- Great in overclocking
- Durable and strong device
- RGB LEDs are customized
- Efficient and powerful
Drawbacks:
- Memory is not overclocked
- Expensive device
NVIDIA Titan RTX
Price: $2,499
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This NVIDIA Titan RTX is another extremely capable and powerful device in this list of best graphic cards for CAD programs. The glided color scheme is surely going to attract a lot of customers that pay attention to looks and elegance in style.
The design is goldish in color and the performance is pretty goldish as well according to various reviews.
It comes with a nice lightweight and sleek design. The build quality is strong and it has a dual-slot from factor as well. We believe that this device is pretty capable of performing in almost every kind of situation and the rendering and designing job becomes pretty easy with its 3D mode working process.
The device is no doubt a little expensive than the others in this list but it also packs more features and provides you great value for your money. It offers higher-peak bandwidth memory compared to all other models in the race. The Tensor-core and RT Core technology is an ideal combination to carry out AI and ray-tracing.
You’d also get the additional services of dual 13-blade fans that are capable of performing in crucial situations and it also enables the high airflow while remaining quite silent itself. The dual fans are accompanied by a large vapor chamber. If you’re looking for one of the best graphic cards for 3D CAD programs, look no further than this beauty.
Benefits:
- Power-packed performer
- Incredibly high memory
- Elegant looks and design
Drawbacks:
- Very expensive
PNY VCQK620-PB
Price: $78
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The last device on our list of Top 6 Best graphic cards for CAD is this budget option that goes by the name of PNY Quadro K620. It is another powerful device from NVIDIA and comes under the list of best affordable devices. It will also let you create 3D designs but perhaps it is not as powerful in terms of performance when compared to other devices in the list.
It is an extremely suitable device with a low-profile and single-slot form factor that makes it really suitable for small and compact workstations.
The 4GB memory and 384 CUDA Cores are going to be sufficient enough to carry out powerful performance for you. It is a power-efficient card that comes with DisplayPort 1.2 compatibility and it is also supported by high-resolutions of up to 60H and 30-bit color. It can be tagged as a budget device but it is no way near to be called a cheap device.
The construction and build quality of NVIDIA Quadro is second to none and that is why they have been widely regarded as one of the best options when it comes to CAD programs.
Benefits:
- Good budget option
- Low-profile form factor
- Suitable for compact workstations
- Efficient and powerful
- For high-resolutions, you get Display Port 1.2 support
Drawbacks:
- It is not the most powerful and extreme performer
Conclusion:
We have presented the list of Top 6 best graphic cards for CAD programs and now it is completely up to you to decide the best suitable option for you. If you’re still undecided about it, we would recommend you to get your hands on the ultra-amazing performer that goes by the name of NVIDIA VCQP2000-PB Quadro P2000.
CAD designing is a pretty professional and difficult art and you shouldn’t be settling down or compromising something in this regard. You must choose a device that truly fulfills your requirements as far as CAD programs are concerned.
The NVIDIA VCQP2000-PB Quadro P2000 is currently the most powerful and suitable device for all the CAD professionals. However, it is much more necessary to choose the model that truly suits your individual needs and requirements. We truly hope that this guide has been helpful enough for you to choose the correct option.