Hi all.

I have been using Floworks/Flow simulation for 2 - 3 years now.  I started on a extensive thermal/airflow model of a power amplifier assembly, and got excellent correlation between my model and the finished assembly.  I also re-designed the heatsink for an additional assembly that bolted to the amplifier to provide the required cooling for the components in that assembly.

I next designed the fan cooling for the a shelf that contains signal processing units and all the associated control components.  The models have gotten more complex as I have progressed.

I am now modeling the cabinet that contains 8 each of the processing units, amplifiers, and their associated power supplies.  The cabinet equipment dissipates ~ 6kW, and has ~40 fans.

As the model becomes more complex, I find that my work is slowed dramatically doing simple tasks that lock up the program while the processor churns.  Right now, adding a fan to a split face can cause a 1/2 - 1 hour delay.  I have other issues of this kind, where seemigly simple tasks like saving a file or re-building a part ot assembly can take an hour.  While I eventualy get to where I am going, the time it takes is a real problem.  Also, when I have the entire assembly on-screen, even changing the display has significant delays.

I have a Dell Precision PSW690 with a Xeon dual core processor @ 2.33GHz, with 8GB ram.  I'm running XP 64 and SolidWorks64 2010 SP 1.0 and Flow Simulation 2010 SP 1.0.  I have an NVIDIA Quadro FX550 display adapter.  I have a Quadro FX 4600 on my desk that I purchased several months ago that I can upgrade to.

Are these normal operating conditions?  Will some problems be helped by the video card upgrade?  I've contacted my VAR, but the Flow Simulation support is limited.

I'll appreciate any help the community can provide.

Jerry