ISV certification

ISV certification is a software vendor's sign-off that a named hardware and driver combination runs its application without rendering errors, crashes, or wrong results. ISV stands for independent software vendor, meaning firms like Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes, Siemens, and Ansys that build the CAD and simulation tools workstations exist to run. The vendor tests a fixed list of GPUs against a fixed driver branch, then publishes what passed as a certified hardware list.

Nvidia maintains separate driver branches for this. The RTX Enterprise and Studio branches target certified professional applications, while Game Ready drivers chase new game releases. The certified branches move on a slower cadence and favor stability over day-one support. SolidWorks publishes a certified card and driver list for each release, and running outside it can produce visible artifacts in RealView or complicate a support ticket.

For business-critical CAD or simulation, buy from the vendor's certified list and install the certified driver, even when a newer one is available. An uncertified combination often runs fine. It just moves the burden of proof onto you when the vendor asks what you were running.

Sources

Last verified August 29, 2026.