Video card for CAD?

Greetings all...

I'm in school to learn CAD (after being laid-off after 10 years) and need to get some advice.

I just purchased a new computer:

HP p6240f
Intel Core II Quad
8GB RAM
750GB HD
32MB built-in video (exp to 1.7GB, shared)

The only drawback to this system is the video, but the rest of the specs seemed to be pretty good.

I will be looking to upgrade the video after the 1st of the year (when student loans come in again) so I don't need a rush answer

I'm doing some browsing among the major chipset co's (nVidia and ATi) and have come to a conclusion: there's nothing straight-forward about video cards

I'm thinking I'm looking for something along these lines:

PCI Express x16 (have to find out whether 1.0 or 2.0... 2.0 I think)
512MB or more because I will be specializing in architecture and will be doing 3d / realistic work.
I need DVI hookup (2 would be a bonus as I'm thinking of a 2nd monitor in the future)

Other than that, I need some advice as to what to get.

I'm thinking about a budget of no more than $200, which restricts me somewhat (can't justify spending $500 yet )

Any suggestions?

Fritz216

Greetings weegee...

Thanks... I checked it out. Looks like a pretty good card.

However, I've read a few reports that Revit (the software I want to use) has had some issues with the nVidia Quadro cards.

By the time I actually buy one, they may have the problems fixed so I'll keep them in mind.

Thanks for the help... have a great turkey day

You could try an ATI FirePro then - they are ATI's line of workstation/professional cards, and they tend to be cheaper than Nvidia Quadro cards for the performance as well.