Laptop GPU for Solidworks?

Hey guys!

I have a question regarding laptop GPU. I need to get a laptop that can run the program 3D modelling Solidworks - I'm having a hard time finding GPU requirements via google hence this thread

I plan on buying a 15.6" laptop with a resulotion of 1920*1080. Also with a quad core i7 (probably Q2670) and 8GB ram (1333 Mhz). Now the problem is I have no idea what kinda GPU power is required. They reccommend that we buy the Lenovo Thinkpad W520, but it's ridiculously expensive (like $3.5k) I'd like to only spend like half of that if possible.

I've red that graphics cards made for gaming (the GT series?) is not optimal, but would the above PC with a GT 550 be able to run this program smoothly - or do I need to go bigger?

I wouldn't mind if it could run a few games either

Thanks in advanced!

-JDT89

It will handle most anything. But you never mentioned how much it costs, the workstation laptops start at around $1300 for i7 and 1080p. Their quadros/firepros will handle solidworks better if that is all you're going to do with the laptop.

When you choose a consumer card you will NOT have realview graphics in Solidworks.
Also the rendering will ALL be done on the CPU so thats crap.

I suggest running a firepro in a laptop. I know my desktop firepro offers a lot of bang for the buck. Not to mention no driver issues so far.

Just choose what will fit your budget.
If you have the option of building / buying a desktop system, I would go for that

laptops are just "laptops" They are not made for solidworks. Allthough it will run okay on a nice fast laptop. The rendering is awfull...