Quadro Cards & Network stuff

[Aynar]

Ok, I'm an MEP engineer and I also do all the computer building and server/network/phone/tech crap for our business. I'm figuring some of you have some experience with 3D modeling and video cards.

We're using Autocad, and up til now gaming cards have been perfect for what we do which is basically 2d drawing.
The trend (and our clients) is pushing us toward 3d and BIM (buidling information modeling) using another Autodesk product called Revit. This is basically using 1 common model for all disciplines involved (architect structural civil mep etc.).
From what I read, Revit is utilizing D3D and not Open GL which Autocad usually uses.
It also uses exponentially larger files for the models/drawings.

I will build new workstations for our designers/cad guys.

So my questions are:
Will I get better performance with the Quadro cards? If this program truly is using D3d, a Geforce 280/90 series should perform as good a Quadro right?
I need to upgrade to gigabit ethernet due to bigger filesizes and the fact that I hate waiting on stuff. Does anyone use a Gigabit switch on thier network (remember - small business, so no cisco) and have a recommendation on a small business grade switch.

Thanks

[kasantitz]

Can't help you much with the graphics as I have been out of that department for a while now, but on the switches I can offer a little advice. First, whatever someone might tell you, even though they are cheap, NEVER install a Dell switch, especially a Gigabit one...I have had nothing but headaches with these for small businesses. Secondly, depending on the size of the business (small business can mean anywhere from 5-250), I would recommend cisco (probably because I work in an all-cisco shop), but that doesn't mean there aren't other options.

Other factors to consider also are if you are going to need vlans, or automatic failover, etc etc. If you do need these, then I would definitely say cisco (and grab a smartnet contract, it pays for itself easily). If you don't then you can look into a little bit lower class of switches. Preferably, I like the netgear switches myself, but D-link aren't bad either. Again, definitely stay away from the Dell switches, and also the Linksys switches (even though they are owned by cisco) are junk and very tedious to configure.

Below are a couple of links to the Netgear and D-Link switches, again, very basic, but I hope it helps.

http://www.netgear.com/Products/Switche ... S724T.aspx

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=338

[Noircogi]

Quadro cards enable certain features like anti-aliased OpenGL lines which are not needed for gaming. It's not a performance thing, they have additional functionality. If you need them, you generall need them.