Question : Using ESX, do virtual machines use the video card of the host machine?

Some of our new CAD software requires a higher end video card for processing on the dekstop. If I virtualize a desktop, will it use the hardware video card of the host? or does VMware use its own video card?

Answer : Using ESX, do virtual machines use the video card of the host machine?

Virtual machines have a virtual Vmware SVGA adapter. Hardware acceleration from the Host video adapter is not available.

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/178565

On a windows host with VMware Workstation or Server it seems to be possible:

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/virtualization-3d-support-vmware.html

but not supported.