SolidWorks Express

HP xw4300 Workstation

by Georgiann Zaglakas, freelance writer

Workstations are composed of a multitude of hardware and software component combinations. Given the infinite number of configuration possibilities, you may find that system setup is often difficult. To avoid further complications, vendors frequently set up workstations without considering your individual needs.

Now you can sidestep all that confusion by simply tailoring the workstation setup yourself. Hewlett-Packard is including a new utility on its workstations called the HP Performance Tuning Framework. This easy-to-use utility guides you through the system setup, enabling you to customize configuration, ensuring availability of the latest graphics cards and drivers, and eliminating some of your workstation’s memory restraints. What’s more, it includes unique features specially designed for SolidWorks® software.

Manage your workstation

With the HP Performance Tuning Framework, you can easily view all the elements of your workstation configuration. This includes the hardware inventory, current value settings for Microsoft Windows® operating systems, driver versions with graphics, supported applications currently installed, a list of available certified graphics drivers and applications, and even temperature sensors and fan speed readings. You’ll find this particularly useful during setup, image creation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Screen image from the HP Performance Tuning Framework’s Memory Usage tool. The Memory tool allows you to accurately monitor memory use and offers suggestions for solving memory issues.

The HP Performance Tuning Framework is especially helpful to CAD or IT managers who support engineers and designers, as it provides information, status, and downloads for many HP-provided client management utilities. This includes the HP System Software Manager – a free utility that streamlines the mass deployment of software updates, as well as the HP Client Management Interface – an open architecture for gathering client computer inventory, monitoring health events, and managing BIOS configuration settings on workstations.

Additional utilities include Altiris Local Recovery, which provides free data and local-drive backup support for workstations, and HP BIOS Configuration for ProtectTools, which is used locally to set BIOS options, such as modifying the boot order and disabling serial ports.

Making the most of 3D graphics capabilities
With the HP Performance Tuning Framework, you can quickly and easily select and install 3D graphics drivers. The framework references a real-time HP database that lists currently certified drivers for the supported applications installed on your workstation and highlights the best driver choice. This tool organizes the certification information so you can compare potentially conflicting application requirements and make an informed decision about which driver to install. After selecting a driver, you can download and install it by simply clicking a single button in the user interface.

The HP Performance Tuning Framework also enhances the value of HP Remote Graphics Software, optimizing your company’s network and enabling you to view and control the operation of high-end 3D applications running on remote workstations. The framework’s configuration and maintenance capabilities give you access to the full features of the HP Remote Graphics Software – improving your workstation’s efficiency and your overall productivity.

Enhancing memory utilization
To perform properly, applications like SolidWorks often require large amounts of memory. The HP Performance Tuning Framework helps make your workstation even more effective by allowing you to accurately monitor memory use. The tool’s customizable graphic interface displays exactly how much physical system and virtual memory are being used by certain applications over specific periods of time. Besides alerting you when memory use is nearing or exceeding physical resources, it also tells you why and provides suggestions for solving memory issues.

With only a few mouse clicks, you can plot your current memory use and see how the memory resources are being used by various system operations and applications. You also can analyze how opening various models will affect memory, determine the largest size models your workstation can handle comfortably, and minimize memory problems when you do need to open larger models.

Tuning SolidWorks applications
Once an application is installed, you can further improve performance or functionality. The HP Performance Tuning Framework offers specific tuning capabilities for the SolidWorks application, such as enabling large memory usage. You can easily implement these tuning and configuration techniques by using a simplified user interface that highlights how to achieve optimal results.

Learn more about the HP Performance Tuning Framework