A Free Graphics Card? Membership Has It’s Privileges!

What is the number one computer component you can think of that has the most affect on Solidworks performance? I would say the video card. But who has $700 to spend on a high end graphics card? Well for the members of the Los Angeles Area Solidworks User Group, they all have a shot to win one for free. The Quadro FX line of video cards from nVidia is some of the best video cards available for Cad applications like Solidworks. The Quadro's and their drivers are specifically engineered for use with many Cad programs including Solidworks. The nice folks at nVidia have graciously donated a $699 Quadro FX 1700 to be given away at the April 10^th meeting of the L.A. User Group. At the Feb meeting, members were given a set of rules to model a household item. The submissions will then be judged by the meeting attendees, and a winner will be announced. Stay tuned here for a wrap up of the entries and the winner after the April 10^th meeting.

If you have never attended a User Group meeting, there are many similar benefits you are simply missing out on. Now while not every meeting has prizes of this level to give away, you will be surprised what is given out from time to time. So instead of wishing you lived in L.A. so you could have a shot at the video card, head over to the Solidworks User Group Network Page to locate a group near you. Just about every group around the world is free to attend, and many of them meet every other month.

Note: I chose to promote this card for two reasons. First, I believe in promoting products that I have used myself, and can honestly recommend to others. Second, nVidia offered to donate one to give away without asking for anything in return. From time to time I will try to offer up other reviews of products that I have used that I feel some of you can benefit from! I will only discuss products that I would personally use myself.

Comments

[Gabi]

WOW, Mike! That is soooo cool! Now I feel nVidia (couldn't resist, it sounds like Spanish for envy) myself for those SW users in LA. That is such a great idea about the design contest too! Maybe Kenneth will someday do something like that for us here too.