Building 3D CAD system

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qcpunk

Honorable
Jan 29, 2014
5
0
10,510
Hi everybody!

I am working on a new system for 3D CAD with Solidworks, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, and a few other 3D drafting programs with some occasional rendering work and very little to no gaming with this system. I do not intend to OC right away, although I'm positive that I will later on. I realize that there are better workstation GPUs like the w5000, k2000, k4000, but they are all significantly more expensive than the V4900. This is an area that I definitely intend to upgrade as my needs dictate. Anyhow, without further delay, here is my prospective build.....

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2L8MM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2L8MM/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2L8MM/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-EXPERT ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($229.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($240.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: ATI FirePro V4900 1GB Video Card ($155.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Soprano ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($191.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1430.37
 
Solution
Jacob McIntosh
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Jacob McIntosh

Jacob McIntosh

Honorable
Aug 24, 2013
2,073
0
12,460
Here is a $1500 build, but I would recommend saving up a bit more to get the second one...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-9370 4.4GHz 8-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.55 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 450 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital RE4-GP 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($100.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY Quadro 4000 2GB Video Card ($566.79 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Tempest 210 ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1533.25
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-01 11:03 EST-0500)

Try to save some more $$ for this build...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-9370 4.4GHz 8-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.55 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 450 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital RE4-GP 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($100.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ATI FirePro V7900 2GB Video Card ($630.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Tempest 210 ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1597.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-01 11:05 EST-0500)
 
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Q

qcpunk

Honorable
Jan 29, 2014
5
0
10,510
Thank you for your replies!

I posted in a bit of a hurry the other night, so allow me to give a few more details.

I have chosen the i7-4770k to allow for future overclocking, and I think I want to have access to the onboard Intel HD graphics as a backup. The Intel HD graphics are supported by Solidworks, Caita, and AutoCAD. I also do a lot of multitasking, with multiple references open while drafting.

I was originally looking at a lower ASUS mobo in the same product line, but decided on the Expert due largely to its onboard WiFi capabilities and Bluetooth. I also think that it will provide plenty of expandability as I grow the system.

While the Firepro V4900 is not the most current workstation GPU on the market, I believe that it is the most cost effective for my uses at this time. It will be a little while before I am doing Large renderings and FEA simulation. I think that the V4900 with suffice until the W5000 or K4000 GPUs come down in price.

I have vested a lot of time in sifting through reviews and recommendations, and largely just want to ensure that all of my components will play nicely with each other and live in harmony. Above all, I want this system to be stable and to handle just about anything that I may throw at it, whether it be Solidworks, Caita, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Lightwright, 3Ds Max.... Unfortunately they all have slightly different methods of operation, which is why I think I would prefer a quick quad core over a faster single core, without spending tons on a hex.

Also, just a note on budget, I am totally comfortable sitting around 1700~1800 on this project, and I have already selected and received my case, Thermaltake New Soprano. So that cost is not factored into the 1700~1800.

Thank you all again for your input and support.



Jacob,
I see that you recommend the 212 Plus cooler over the Evo. Can you expand on this for me? Installing a CPU Cooler is something I really only want to do once....
Same question on the WD RE4-GP. I am also curious what you and others would think about going with Two WD Red 1TB in RAID1 vs One WD 2TB Black...
 
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Jacob McIntosh

Jacob McIntosh

Honorable
Aug 24, 2013
2,073
0
12,460


I recommended the Plus due to being over budget (or so I thought), and there isn't much of a performance difference between the plus and EVO. As for using 2 1TB drives instead of the 1 2TB drive, I would recommend it, just in case one of them dies, you wont loose ALL your work and programs. I put together a build that has better cpu cooling, two 1TB hard drives, and the FirePro V4900, so that you can upgrade later. I also swapped the motherboard for a cheaper one, but it still has WiFi and Bluetooth.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($116.06 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI Z87 MPOWER ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($179.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($86.24 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($86.24 @ B&H)
Video Card: ATI FirePro V4900 1GB Video Card ($155.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 760W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($182.98 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($175.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1709.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-02 17:46 EST-0500)
 
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Solution
Q

qcpunk

Honorable
Jan 29, 2014
5
0
10,510
Jacob,

Thanks a ton!!! I like it!! Especially the faster RAM you have selected. I think you're right on the cooling too. Thanks again, I think I'll go with your build!
 
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