Performance Comparison of SolidWorks 2014 with SolidWorks 2013 on Same Hardware and Operating System

Dear CAD HELP CENTER readers in earlier post we have discussed comparison of performance test result of SolidWorks 2014 SP1.0 x64 bit with SolidWorks 2011 in Windows 7 SP1 x64 bit and found that the latest version is much faster then the SolidWorks 2011.

Today we are going to discuss the  performance test result of SolidWorks 2014 SP1.0 x64 bit with SolidWorks 2013 SP1.0 in Windows 7 SP1 x64 bit on the same machine.

Before further discussion I am mentioning the configuration of my PC for reference on which both test are performed:
Mother Board : Intel DH67BL (with latest Drivers)
Processor : Intel i5-2400 CPU @3.1 GHz, 4 Core(s),
Graphics Card : Intel(R) HD Graphics 2000
RAM : 4 GB
Hard Disk : 500 GB
OS : Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64 Bit.
Anti Virus : AVG Internet Security 2014

So we will discuss about test now. Below is the snapshots of the performance test of SolidWorks 2013 and SolidWorks 2014 on the same hardware (mentioned above) and Windows.

As we can see in above images their is a little difference in the in performance from SolidWorks 2013 to SolidWorks 2014. As compare to earlier version the performance is lowered in SolidWorks 2014.
The Overall time taken by the SolidWorks 2014 is 140 seconds as compare to 119.5 seconds in SolidWorks 2013.
The overall performance is decreased by 14.64% in SolidWorks 2014 as compare to SolidWorks 2013.
The Graphics performance is decreased by 31.28% in SolidWorks 2014.
The Processor performance is decreased by 4.79% in SolidWorks 2014.
The input/output performance is increase by 14.6% in SolidWorks 2014.

As I mentioned in earlier post, the maximum time is taken by the Graphics (71.6 seconds), as I had performed the test with the Intel embedded graphics which are inbuilt with Intel i5-2400 CPU. So if someone want to improve the performance, then you can use a dedicated graphics card or else use alternate CPU from Intel which are having more graphics memory. Upgrading the Intel processor with Intel in-built Graphics will also improve your Processing and Input/Output performance, so I think a small or medium user can use a new Processor (i5 or i7) with Intel HD Graphics P3000/P4000/P4600 which are also certified from SolidWorks and cost effective.

In the coming days we will compare the performance of SolidWorks 2014 with SolidWorks 2013 on different hardware's or machines, so stay tuned.

Have a nice day.

Performance Comparison of SolidWorks 2014 with SolidWorks 2011 on Same Hardware and Software

Dear CAD HELP CENTER readers in the starting of new year we have shared a new installation guide for latest version of SolidWorks 2014 SP1.0 x64 bit in Windows 7 SP1 x64 bit. now after installation we will see how fast or better is the latest version SolidWorks 2014.

To see the performance of latest version of SolidWorks we need to do a performance test of SolidWorks and then compare it with others. Like all we know SolidWorks has their own Performance Benchmark Test utility. We can compare the performance in term of Software or Hardware. As of now I had done a performance Benchmark test of SolidWorks 2011 and SolidWorks 2014 both in Windows 7 SP1 x64 bit.

Before further discussion here are the configuration of my PC for reference on which both test are performed.

• Mother Board : Intel DH67BL (with latest Drivers)
• Processor : Intel i5-2400 CPU @3.1 GHz, 4 Core(s)
• RAM : 4GB
• Hard Disk : 500 GB
• OS : Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64 Bit.
• Anti Virus : AVG Internet Security 2014

So we will discuss about test now. Below is the snapshots of the performance test of SolidWorks 2011 and SolidWorks 2014 on the same hardware and Windows.

As we can see in above images their is a major overhaul or increase in performance from SolidWorks 2011 to SolidWorks 2014. The Overall time taken by the SolidWorks 2014 is only 140 seconds as compare to 506.1 seconds in SolidWorks 2011. The overall performance is increase by 3.615 times in SolidWorks 2014. The Graphics performance is increase by 1.912 times in SolidWorks 2014. The Processor performance is increase by 4.712 times in SolidWorks 2014. The input/output performance is increase by 6.472 times in SolidWorks 2014.

Here we can see that the maximum time is taken by the graphics (71.6 seconds), as I had performed the test with the Intel embedded graphics which are inbuilt with Intel i5-2400 CPU.

So if someone want to improve the performance then you can use a dedicated graphics card or else use alternate CPU from Intel which are having more graphics memory. This will also improve your Processing and Input/Output performance.

In the coming days we will  compare the performance of SolidWorks 2014 with SolidWorks 2013 on different hardware's or machines, so stay tuned.

Have a nice day.

Installation Guide for SolidWorks 2014 SP1.0 x64 bit in Windows 7 SP1 x64 bit.

Dear CAD HELP CENTER readers first of all best wishes for new year and wel come again. With new year we have the new installation guide for latest version of SolidWorks 2014 SP1.0 x64 bit in Windows 7 SP1 x64 bit.


Here are the main Highlights of SolidWorks 2014:
SolidWorks® 2014 includes many enhancements and improvements, most in direct response to customer requests. This release focuses on the following themes:
• Focused design tools: Powerful new features and time-saving shortcuts deliver greater productivity.
• Integrated workflows: Streamlined processes and information sharing remove the barriers to innovative design.
• Increased performance: Faster system response and reduced user interaction help you maintain design focus.
• Enhanced visualization: Stunning graphics and improved visualization tools create a more powerful collaborative environment.

Here are the Top Enhancements of SolidWorks 2014:
The top enhancements for SolidWorks 2014 provide improvements to existing products
and innovative new functionality.

User Interface:

• Applying Standard Mates from a Context Toolbar.
• Selecting Items by Lasso.

SolidWorks Fundamentals:

• Browsing Recent Documents [Project 18899]
• Configurable Equations.
• Selecting Bodies or Components for Section Views.
• Solar Access Studies.

Assemblies:

• Applying Standard Mates from a Context Toolbar.
• Creating Slot Mates.
• Including Rotations in Exploded Views.
• Spherical and Curvilinear Mates.

SolidWorks Costing:

• Creating a Limited-access Costing Template.
• Simplifying Cost Estimates.
• Volume Features.

Drawings and Detailing:

• Angular Running Dimensions.
• Out-of-Date Drawing Views.
• Replace Model for Drawing Views.
• Section View of a Surface.
• Sheet Formats.

SolidWorks Enterprise PDM:

• Automated Cache Management.
• Navigating Tree Structures.
• User Defined Custom Columns.
• Version Comparison of Referenced Files.

Parts and Features:

• Conic Fillets.
• More Options for Deleting Features.

Sheet Metal:

• Bent Lofted Bends.

Sketching:

• Replace Sketch Entities.
• Setting a Fixed Length.
• Style Splines.

SolidWorks Simulation:

• Automatic Conversion of Toolbox Fasteners to Bolts.
• Contact Visualization Plot.
• Importing Results from SolidWorks Plastics

All features are available in SolidWorks Standard, SolidWorks Professional, and SolidWorks Premium unless otherwise noted.

First of all I clear you all that the installation procedure is looks same as earlier versions of SolidWorks, so we can say this installation guide is  helpful to the new users of SolidWorks.


Now we have seen that there are a lot of additional things in SolidWorks 2014 so we have to have it, for this begin the installation.

1. First of all put your DVD in your optical drive and open the DVD drive.
2. As SolidWorks is making the installation disks with auto play, but if the installation will not starts automatically don’t bother, just go and open K:/setup.exe, where K is your DVD Drive letter.
3. On the Welcome screen the installation manager will ask for the installation type. Select the installation type and click on Next button. Select individual if you are installing on a single machine or computer, otherwise select Administrative/Server installation and click on Next button.
   
4. The installation of SolidWorks 2014 SP1.0 will begin and will ask for serial no. You need to fill the Serial Number. provided to you by SolidWorks Corporation while purchasing. Here I am using a demo serial which will install a 30 days trial version of SolidWorks 2014 with full feature functioning without any limit. After filling the serial no. click on next button to start installation.
   
5. While installation SolidWorks 2014 SP1.0 Installation Manager (x64 Edition) always try to connect to their server for checking updates. If you want to check the updates then you need internet access. If you don’t want updates then simply disconnect your internet if connected and then start installation. This will show an internet connection error, simply click Cancel and proceed further.
6. Now the installation Manager will show the summary of the products to be installed, select the products for installation. If you have purchased the license for SolidWorks Premium then select the Premium or select as per your license purchased. After this select the optional tool that you want to install from the list given. On this stage you can select and give the location of installation. By default it’s in C drive and can be any drive as per your choice. If you are having multiple versions of SolidWorks then it’s better to make the folders with name of SolidWorks versions for easiness. By default the installation folder name is always as C:\Program Files\SolidWorks but here I am using C:\Program Files\SolidWorks2014 for easiness. It will help me in case of multiple installations. After doing all these activities click on Next button and proceed.
   
7. On next screen you have to give the installation location for Toolbox. By default it’s C:\ SolidWorks Data. Same as earlier in I am again making a new folder for 2014 SolidWorks Data and giving the location as C:\SolidWorks Data 2014. If you are not going to does multiple installations of different versions then leave the locations as default. Or if you have less space in your C Drive then you can choose a different location in other Drives. Click on Next button and proceed.
8. After clicking the Install Now button the installation Manager will start the loading of files and it will take around half an hour depending on the computer hardware’s.
9. Now you are ready to run the SolidWorks and hopefully work seamlessly. A shortcut icon for SolidWorks 2014 x64 Edition SP0.0 will be created on the desktop screen by installation manager. You can run directly by double clicking or can run from the All Programs.
10. In the start up SolidWorks 2014 ask you to activate the product. Here select the activate now or activate latter option and click on finish. You can use the product for 30 Days without activation.
    
    
    The Below screenshot is showing the new feature for Button & Text Sizes added in the drop down arrow of Options Shortcut Button.
    
    
    

Hope that this guide will help you all and you will enjoy the new version of SolidWorks. If is there any query then feel free to share on CAD HELP CENTER via comments.