[cannondalejunky]

so i'm looking to build a dedicated CAD computer. the problem is, i've been out of the loop as far as what company's are good, whats fast, whats slow, ect...i'm going to need the computer to be able to handle 3d models using solidworks, 3d architecture in REVIT, autocad 2d models, and rendering in both solidworks and REVIT. I DON'T want a pre built computer, i know there are good ones out there, but i've never really had good luck with them as far as being able keep up with cad and what not. for the tower i'd like to keep the price under $1000.

 

[PatBranch]

Here's my computer build: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pacRtSk9RHY33nFVvEw9pRg

I guess you'll be using XP? You'll probably want more than 2gb of ram, though I think XP (32) can only handle up to like 3.5gb. You probably won't need all those harddrives, so there's like $250 off. Get some good hdd's that are at least 7200rpm such as the Western Digital Caviars.

 

[JustMtnB44]

Here are the specs for the machine I built back in April of this year. I use it mostly for 3D CAD (SolidWorks) and gaming, along with internet, music, etc. It cost around a grand, but could be had much cheaper now since prices on computer parts are so low.

Specs are:
Abit IP-35 Pro motherboard
Intel E8400 processor
OCZ 4 gb (2x2gb) RAM
XFX 8800GT 512mb
WD 500gb AAKS hard drive (I would get the 640AAKS now)
Antec NeoPower 650watt PSU
Samsung 20x DVD burner
Antec P182 case
Windows XP Pro 32 bit

The biggest difference between a CAD computer and home computer is the graphics card. The Geforce cards like my 8800gt don't work quite as well for CAD as a dedicated workstation video card like the Quadro series. However, a decent Quadro card is fairly expensive. A couple months ago I stumbled upon a discussion where Geforce cards can be softmodded into Quadro cards, so you may want to look into that option if you hit your budget constraint.

 

[jonKranked]

The biggest difference between a CAD computer and home computer is the graphics card.

not to mention the oodles of memory and CPU cycles you'll need if you're doing 3d. If you're going to be doing a lot of 3d modeling, I'd strongly recommend something that is dual core or quad core, if not dual CPU dual core, and at least 2 gigs of ram.

At my last job, my work station was as follows: nVidia Quadro FX 4600 video card (can't remember how much memory), 3 gigs of ram, and dual Xeon 5160 Dual Core CPU's each clocked to 3GHz. It ran solidworks reasonably well, but I wasn't doing any large assemblies (all were under 10 parts). (FWIW I was bored one day and spec'd it out on Dell's site [our workstations were Dell Precision] and just the tower was about $6g's).

 

[cannondalejunky]

DELL also has a tendency to over price their machines. i'm going to use an amd phenom x4 processor and i'm not sure what mother board i'm going to use...also i know nothing about the different video cards...last time i built a computer the two big names were ati and nvidea. since i'll be using xp 64bit i'm gonna have at least 4 gigs of ram.

It ran solidworks reasonably well, but I wasn't doing any large assemblies (all were under 10 parts)

10 parts....holy crap, most of our stuff at work has at least 300-400 parts in them

edit: also i'm going to be reuising the tower and dvd drive from my last build to save a little bit of money

 

[cannondalejunky]

Here are the specs for the machine I built back in April of this year. I use it mostly for 3D CAD (SolidWorks) and gaming, along with internet, music, etc. It cost around a grand, but could be had much cheaper now since prices on computer parts are so low.

Specs are:
Abit IP-35 Pro motherboard
Intel E8400 processor
OCZ 4 gb (2x2gb) RAM
XFX 8800GT 512mb
WD 500gb AAKS hard drive (I would get the 640AAKS now)
Antec NeoPower 650watt PSU
Samsung 20x DVD burner
Antec P182 case
Windows XP Pro 32 bit

The biggest difference between a CAD computer and home computer is the graphics card. The Geforce cards like my 8800gt don't work quite as well for CAD as a dedicated workstation video card like the Quadro series. However, a decent Quadro card is fairly expensive. A couple months ago I stumbled upon a discussion where Geforce cards can be softmodded into Quadro cards, so you may want to look into that option if you hit your budget constraint.

thats a good build, but fyi the 4 gigs of ram isn't doing you any good. xp 32bit runs on a max of 3 gigs

 

[jonKranked]

DELL also has a tendency to over price their machines.

10 parts....holy crap, most of our stuff at work has at least 300-400 parts in them

yes, dell greatly overprices their stuff.


I know, 10 parts, big whoop. I was only designing thermoform molds.

Also, are you going to be doing any FEA on your machine? Or a lot of detailed renderings?

 

[JustMtnB44]

not to mention the oodles of memory and CPU cycles you'll need if you're doing 3d. If you're going to be doing a lot of 3d modeling, I'd strongly recommend something that is dual core or quad core, if not dual CPU dual core, and at least 2 gigs of ram.

Depends on the models and software, but SW 2007 only really pushes my CPU when opening large assemblies. If multiple programs are running at the same time, then this becomes more important. And why would anyone consider less than a dual or quad core processor nowadays?

DELL also has a tendency to over price their machines. i'm going to use an amd phenom x4 processor and i'm not sure what mother board i'm going to use...also i know nothing about the different video cards...last time i built a computer the two big names were ati and nvidea. since i'll be using xp 64bit i'm gonna have at least 4 gigs of ram.

10 parts....holy crap, most of our stuff at work has at least 300-400 parts in them

Dell is expensive for good, high end machines. Only their low end systems are good deals. Why did you decide on AMD, typically Intel provides more performance if that's what you are looking for. Nothing wrong with AMD, I have another computer with an Athlon 64 X2, but most tests/reviews I have read give Intel the edge. ATI and Nvidia are still the top video cards, just look at their workstation product lines instead of gamer lines.

The assembly I have open in SolidWorks at work right now has 1138 parts, of which 471 are unique parts. I think its about time for a new work computer as well as it's starting to chug.

thats a good build, but fyi the 4 gigs of ram isn't doing you any good. xp 32bit runs on a max of 3 gigs

Thanks. Whats your point about the RAM? It would be silly to buy anything other than 4 gigs (2x2gb) with RAM prices where they are today. There is no harm in having an extra .75gb just because Windows doesn't see it. I have copies of XP 64bit and Vista Ultimate but haven't tired either of them yet because i was worried about compatibility issues.

 

[cannondalejunky]

Dell is expensive for good, high end machines. Only their low end systems are good deals. Why did you decide on AMD, typically Intel provides more performance if that's what you are looking for. Nothing wrong with AMD, I have another computer with an Athlon 64 X2, but most tests/reviews I have read give Intel the edge. ATI and Nvidia are still the top video cards, just look at their workstation product lines instead of gamer lines.

really i'm going with amd just because i've always had really good luck with them. plus they make cheap high quality products

 

[cannondalejunky]

i'm bumping this thread to ask another question...I'm finally getting around to this build, and I'm wondering if anyone has used CAD especially 3D with vista or windows 7...if so do you recommend it, or should I just stick with xp64bit