I came across a post about a benchmarking utility that is part of every autocad install.

Check out the original post here.

To load the utility drag and drop the GsTest.arx file into your drawing space (or use the APPLOAD command). Once the arx file has been loaded type

GSTESTBENCHMARK

at the command prompt.

The routine runs quickly and appears to provide valuable results. Here is a sample output.

-------------------------------
Wireframe      : 1370.746771 ms
Wireframe      : 132.774342 fps
Hidden Line    : 1393.239294 ms
Hidden Line    : 130.630826 fps
Flat Shaded    : 1494.107561 ms
Flat Shaded    : 121.811846 fps
Gouraud Shaded : 3411.830554 ms
Gouraud Shaded : 53.343798 fps
-------------------------------

For testing multiple PC configurations select a single drawing file for benchmarking on all PCs. I would recommend a large drawing file. The utility only benchmarks the graphics capability of the PC. This should prove useful for Civil 3D users as it appears the video card is typically the weakest links in Civil 3D work stations.

Hydraflow Express and Hydraflow Hydrographs are available for download in the subscription center. Log in here.

The Hydraflow Express extension brings a variety of hydraulic calculators to Civil 3D users. Including culverts, weirs, and channels.

Hydraflow Hydrographs brings storm routing and basin design to Civil 3D.

The FILEDIA variable has a tendency of being set to zero when Civil 3D crashes. This results in your file open options being displayed on your command line. A major annoyance. This topic has been posted on the discussion groups several times. One solution is to place the following line in an acaddoc.lsp file in you civil 3d support directory.

(setvar “filedia” 1)

If you don’t have an acaddoc.lsp file you can create your own in notepad and save it in your support directory. Or right-click and save as the file here.

The acaddoc.lsp file is run by autocad when you open a new file. The line you added will set FILEDIA to 1 preventing the dialogs from being disabled.