What graphics card works best in SketchUp 2017?

Technical Problems SketchUp
1

Whoever has a functioning SketchUp 2017, what graphics card are you using and/or recommend?

I have decided to purchase a new graphics card. Apparently a new Graphics card is required, what card works successfully with SketchUp 2017? The card apparently needs to have 1024 MB or more of RAM.

I happened to stumbled upon this useful application:
“Sketchup 2017 Checkup”. It must have been left over from the previous
Sketchup 2017 installation.

Upon execution, it gives these interesting results:

"Results:

Warning: Your “ATI Radeon 3100 Graphics” graphics card has 256 MB of
graphics card memory. SketchUp recommends that your graphics card have
1024 MB or more of RAM. Performance may be significantly impacted.
Success: System RAM requirement has been met!
Success: Operating system version requirement has been met!
Success: Graphics card OpenGL requirement has been met!
Success: Graphics card Hardware Acceleration requirement has been met!

See Help > Documentation for more information."

Upon clicking “Help > Documentation”, nothing happens.

Incidentally, my computer is using Windows 7 operating system. Could
that cause problems for Sketchup 2017?

1 Like
2

what exactly are the problems?

SU 2017 Report Tool relies on wrong informations of a concerning Microsoft system information functionality for the VRAM in connection with AMD Radeon drivers. Do ignore and use “Start > Windows Search: dxdiag > Display” for evaluating correct information.

If you wanna upgrade to something decent and if using a recent desktop with PCIe slots go for a nVidia GeForce GTX 1060 preferrably as a 2 fan model (Asus/MSI). Check the available space (2 slots req. / length) of the system and wattage of the PSU (min. 300 W) before.

Windows 7 x64 is fine.

1 Like
3

sketch3d de,

I apologize for the rather lengthy response. I didn’t intend it to be a
dissertation.

Thank you for your insightful information about the DirectX Diagnostic
Tool. It certainly produces a lot of information. However, I have no
idea what it all means, what’s right, what’s wrong, what’s good for
SketchUp 2017, or what’s bad for SketchUp 2017.

After the “DirectX Diagnostic Tool report”, is the SketchUp 2017 Checkup
report. It is short, concise and says what passes successfully, warnings
and if there is a problem.

Please pay special attention to the questions after the “SketchUp 2017
Checkup report” below.

4

If your models are not enormous or you don’t use huge texture files, the VRAM might in itself be a non-issue. I have used earlier versions of SketchUp with as little VRAM as 64 MB, and my desktop has an old Nvidia card that has 768MB and runs version 2017 without problems (under Windows 7).

If your Radeon can run one of the latest driver versions from AMD, you might just go and try to run SketchUp on it… If the newest available compatible driver is very old, it might not work.

Anssi

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5

Hello, Anssi,

My ATI Radeon 3100 Graphics" graphics card has 256 MB of graphics card
memory. It runs SketchUp 2015 fine, (under Windows 7) so long as I do
frequent saves. If frequent saves are not done, it has been known to
occasionally crash.

Your old Nvidia card, that has 768 MB, runs version 2017 without
problems (under Windows 7). What may save you is the fact that 768 MB is
significantly larger than my card at only 256 MB. Your card has 33.3%.
This is significantly more memory than I have.

Advertised requirements for SketchUp 2017 is 1024 MB or greater
(according to the “SketchUp 2017 Checkup” utility report).

Your 768 MB of is 75% of the required 1024 MB (works using SketchUp 2017).

My 256 MB is 25% of the required 1024 MB (crashes on saves using
SketchUp 2017).

It appears there are two different kinds of memory in graphics cards:

A) Dedicated graphics card memory (256 MB of RAM in my case) and

B) Shared system memory (2811 MB of RAM in my case)

I have a total available graphics memory: 256 MB + 2811 MB = 3067 MB

Theory:

Insufficient dedicated graphics card memory may be the reason for the
“crash on save”.

This theory is not conclusive, but highly probable. This is sufficient
justification and evidence to warrant the purchase a better graphics
card. I probably need it anyway.

Kind regards,

Gerard Regnier

1 Like
6

[quote=“gregnier, post:3, topic:37146, full:true”]Thank you for your insightful information about the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. It certainly produces a lot of information. However, I have no
idea what it all means, what’s right, what’s wrong, what’s good for
SketchUp 2017, or what’s bad for SketchUp 2017.[/quote]

it’s only information concerning manufacturer, model, version/date of used driver and the (correct value) of the available VRAM, surely no rocket since…

http://notebooks.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/image12.png

7

SU typically crashes with an incompatible or inmature OpenGL support of the used driver the AMD Radeon Catalyst/Crimson drivers have already proven for.

the AMD Radeon 3100 is an ol’ and slow onboard graphics chip with no driver support for recent operating systems, nothing you wanna use with a 3D modeler.

anyhow, your initial question which graphics card is recommendable for SU is answered already.

8

Hello Sketch3d de,

Thank you for your response. The recommendation to use the nVidia
GeForce GTX 1060 preferably as a 2 fan model (Asus/MSI) is a good one.
The prices for it is not too outrageous. I’d like to get one.

My other concern: will my existing power supply handle the increased
power load of the new nVidia GeForce GTX 1060 preferably as a 2 fan
model (Asus/MSI)? If not, I will need to purchase a new power supply too.

My last email was intended to try and express what I’d learned and get
an idea of the magnitude of differences between graphics cards that
works and those that do not work. It appears to be strictly dependent on
the amount of dedicated graphics card memory. Anssi reported that his
old Nvidia card works with only 768 MB of dedicated graphics card
memory. The question is, how well does it work?

Apparently, SketchUp 2017 runs best with dedicated graphics card memory
of 1024 MB or more of RAM. Otherwise, performance may be significantly
impacted.

The nVidia GeForce GTX 1060 with 2 fans model (Asus/MSI) fills the
requirements with memory to spare. It should work fine, if it doesn’t
drag down the power supply.

Kind regards,

Gerard Regnier

9

a GTX 1060 3GB has a TDP of 120 W which should work with every PSU with 300 W and higher. If the PSU is to small and you don’t wanna swap you can step down to a GeForce 1050Ti with a TDP of 75 W, models without the need for an external power connection are available.

10

Just for everyone’s information: It was suggested that I try the nVidia
GeForce GTX 1060 Graphics card, preferably a 2 fan model (Asus/MSI).
This card dissipates 150 W of power and requires a 400 W system power
supply.

The power supply in my computer is 300 W.

Upon further investigation, I found the nVidia MSI GeForce GTX 1050
DirectX 12 GTX 1050 2G OC 2GB 128-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP
Ready ATX Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137058.
dissipates 75 W.

This card requires a system power supply of 300 W, which is perfect for
me. The purchase of a larger replacement supply will not be required.

The cost for the new graphics card, after tax and shipping, is $138.95.

The big question:

Will the GTX 1050
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137058 card
have sufficient memory to solve the “crash upon save” problem with
SketchUp 2017?

Incidentally, SketchUp 2017 was uninstalled a couple of weeks ago when
it continually crashed while saving. I was totally frustrated and angry
that I had installed the new SketchUp and it did not work. I had no clue
as to why not.

The utility “SketchUp 2017 Checkup” was a great help. If customers run
that simple, little, utility BEFORE SketchUp 2017 is installed, at least
they would have some idea of where to look if things go wrong. If
customers do that, would save a lot of trouble and wasted time for
SketchUp 2017 customers, Trimbol’s customer service department, and
members of this Forum.

I am still concerned that SketchUp 2017 may not work, even installing
this new graphics card. It is unclear exactly how the dedicated graphics
memory and the shared system memory sections are partitioned in this
card. If the dedicated graphics memory does not meet “SketchUp 2017’s”
1024 MB, suggested minimum, I may still have a software crash problem
when saving. If anyone can determine if GeForce GTX 1050 dedicated
graphics memory is less than the 1024 MB, could this memory be increased?

Kind regards,

Gerard Regnier

11

I determine, according to what you said in the same post,
above the question, that the GTX 1050 has:

2 GigaBytes oncard 128-Bit GDDR5 Graphics RAM

This is 2 times the SketchUp recommended GRAM.
This is 4 times the SketchUp minimum GRAM.

The card exceeds by twice the recommended amount of GRAM.

Perhaps you may, because your issue may not be due to graphics.
Regardless, you need a newer better card to do 3D modeling.

You have concluded that your Power Supply Unit is adequate for the card,
and that the newegg price is affordable,… so buy the card already. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

… and deal with the future problems when they occur,
:rolling_eyes: and stop worrying this issue to death.

12

The GeForce GTX 1060 has a TDP of 120 W and requires a PSU with roughly 300+ W.

after being recommended above…

don’t buy the GTX 1050 but the recommended GTX 1050Ti (75 W) for roughly the same price but delivering ~14% more performance.

13

Depending on the specs and the age for the rest of the computer it may be advisable to upgrade all of it instead of pieces. What ram and processor is in the system?

14

Hello, RLGL,

Thank you for your response.

Here is my system information:

Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601)
Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr.161011-0600)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Compaq dc5850 Microtower
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Phenom™ 9600B Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs),
~2.3GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 7920MB RAM
Page File: 2545MB used, 13291MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

I know this is more than you asked for. If you see anything else amiss,
please let me know.

Thanks,

Gerard Regnier

15

To be considered:
No Windows10 drivers available
300w passive power supply- no fan for cooling
Can be bought new today for $100 to $150, no monitor
Was released in 2011
Realistically you need a new a video card and a power supply to continue with that rig. If you try to skip the power supply a strong risk of killing the motherboard or processor exists.
MY recommendation is a major upgrade to future proof, possibly saving over the long run, in the event of a failure of the existing saved components

16

Get the best possible nvidia card you can afford. I have seen nothing but issues with ATI cards. Any of the nvidia TI series gaming cards tend to work very well. The new GTX1080 is excellent. I also have a GTX980ti on my main machine and I can run it with anti-alias at max, fast feedback and max texture size on (3) 47" screens with no issues at all.

17

RLGL,

Thank you for the response.

My video card is integrated into the existing mother board. If a new
video card is plugged in, the built in card gets disabled and the new
card takes over. I believe my computer is much newer than 2011. The
only issue appears to be the miserly 256 MB of dedicated graphics memory.

Windows 7 was selected for it’s 64 bit operating system capability and
still allow 32 bit applications to run. Apparently, Windows 10 will not
allow 32 bit applications. For example, SketchUp 2015, a 32 bit program,
will works on Windows 7, which is 64 bit operating system. I could be
wrong, maybe SketchUp 2015 will work under Windows 10? I’m note certain,
I do not want to upgrade to Windows 10 and discover SketchUp 2015 no
longer works. Especially, when SketchUp 2017 does not appear to work
properly.

The only reason I purchased a 64 bit operating system was to be able to
run SketchUp 2017. I easily could have upgraded to Windows 10. I choose
not to because I’d lose functionality of my 32 bit applications (which
are many). At present, I’ll keep using Windows 7 until it is no longer
supported. When that happens, I will be forced to upgrade to Windows 10,
or whatever the next generation is.

When running “SketchUp 2017 Checkup”, I get these results:

Warning: Your “ATI Radeon 3100 Graphics” card has 256 MB of graphics
card memory. SketchUp recommends that your graphics card have 1024 MB or
more of RAM. Performance may be significantly impacted. (Which it
appears to be)
Success: System RAM requirement has been met!
Success: Operating system version requirement has been met!
Success: Graphics card OpenGL requirement has been met!
Success: Graphics card Hardware Acceleration requirement has been met!
The Checkup program tests passed, but some warnings (listed above) were
found.

Running “DxDiag results” yields this interesting information:

18

SketchUp 2015 and SketchUp 2016 are
available in both 32-bit and 64-bit builds.

Well the question really is, does Trimble support running SketchUp 2015 under Windows 10 ?

SketchUp Application Release Notes:

  • SketchUp 2016

Support for El Capitan and Windows 10
Our QA team has smashed and banged on these new operating systems enough to say that SketchUp 2016 is fully compatible with Apple’s El Capitan and Microsoft’s Windows 10.

The answer seems, no, do so at your own risk.

19

I have SketchUp installed on about 6 different PC / laptop configurations at home and I am modelling some huge stuff, most of them use the built in graphics and they all work great, admittedly they are all i7 top of the range motherboards or Asus i7 laptops etc and they tend to come with excellent built in graphics. One thing that is very important I found is to install the right driver which sounds easy and obvious but it can be really time consuming if you have upgraded Windows and windows ‘did it for you’ and everything apparently works except SketchUp and AutoCad give you a warning.
Once you get to a certain resolution its best to spend your money on a 22" top of the range monitor and a gaming mouse than go for a crazy graphic card that has a 3840x2160 because although they work great, they are not supported, you get drop down boxes half an inch high etc.I set mine to 1920 which if you have a top of the range 24" monitor and good eyesight, is the ultimate combination IMHO.

20

pretty nonsense, a GF GTX 1050Ti will run fine with a 300 W PSU, even a GTX 1060 does (see link above).