TABLE OF CONTENTS Because some of the items that make up an AutoCAD system are not found on the typical desktop system, I have provided this appendix to help you understand some of them. This appendix also discusses ways you can improve AutoCAD's performance through software and hardware.
There are two issues to consider concerning the graphics display: resolution and performance. Fortunately, nearly all computers sold today have display systems that are more than adequate for AutoCAD, thanks to the popularity of 3D games. You do need to make sure that your resolution is set to at least 1024 768, preferably higher. The higher your resolution, the more detail you'll be able to see in your drawings.
If you have an older system that needs a graphics display upgrade, you will want to consider the following factors in choosing a new display:
PCI Express Graphics Cards Contemporary motherboards use high-speed PCI Express (PCIe) slots that offer the fastest video throughput available. Check that yours is a system of this type. If you are only doing 2D work, you can get by with an older AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) graphics card. Windows XP also provides options for using multiple monitors, an approach that has been popular among AutoCAD users. Multiple monitors enable AutoCAD users to view multiple or large documents more easily.
If you want to take full advantage of AutoCADs new 3D features, you will want one of the Autodesk certified graphics cards in your system.
