Build for Architecture Programs

Reylos,

The programs used have a range of hardware demands that require quite a high performance workstation,. The 3D modeling requires a high single thread and strong GPU performance, which means a high CPU clock speed, the BIM side of Revit needs a very good disk, and rendering can end up being CPU, GPU, or a combination. Adobe doesn't like dual CPU's and doesn't recognize multiple GPU's.

In my view, the budget of $1,200.00 - $1,300.00 is best utilized by buying and upgrading a used LGA2011 workstation.

For example:

Dell Precision T3600 Intel Xeon E5-1660 3.30GHz Ram 8GB HDD 750GB > $300 + $90 shipping

The E5-1660 is 6-core @ 3.3 /3.9GHz

Then add to that system:

RAM to have 32GB - $140
Used Quadro M4000 (8GB) - $600
Samsung 850 Evo 500GB (OS /Programs, active projects, libraries, reference) $180

TOTAL= about $1,350

Another possibility:

Build Your Own HP Z420 Workstation 6C CPU No OS Save A Lot of Money > $535

This is a neat listing where the CPU, RAM, GPU, and drives can be selected from a list. For $535 there is an HP z420 with an E5-1660 6C, 32GB RAM, and a Quadro K600. The K600 can be used for setup and then sold.

Add to that system:

Quadro M4000 (8GB) used about $600 < an extremely good GPU
Samsung 850 Evo 500GB (OS /Programs, active projects, libraries, reference) $180
Storage drive: WD Black 1TB: $90

TOTAL = about $1,400

That is over the budget, but the M4000 is well worth a stretch. With a Quadro K5000 , the system is $955. which performs similarly to a Quadro K4200- quite capable.

Build Your Own HP Z420 Workstation 8C CPU Windows 7 Pro Save A Lot of Money > $902

For $902, this has an E5-2680 (8-core @ 2.7 /3.5GHz), 32GB, RAM, and Quadro K5000 . To this, only add the Samsung 850 Evo 500GB

TOTAL - about $1,200

There are some options with high cost /performance.

Besides a better specification at a lower cost, the good feature of these systems is that if the new parts are waiting, they can be up and running in three hours, instead of researching, ordering, assembling, wiring, configuring, and testing a new system. I've had 6 used workstations since 2009 and have never had a failure in a single component, nor any data loss. A workstation is carefully refined for long, full load running, and will probably be much quieter than a home build.

Be careful about using consumer /gaming hardware, though it's possible. I like the higher anti-aliasing- Solidworks had a driver that ran AA at was x128, extremely stable drivers, and viewport support of Quadros. I tried a GTX last in 2012 and had consistent rendering failures , and changed again back to Quadros Check Autodesk and Adobe recommended hardware for each program.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

PS> The following two systems were in a way done by the above method: the z420 was an open box for $938 (the Xeon E5-1660 v2 separately cost $1,100) and the z620 was used for $270. Upgrades for the z420 cost about $1,000 and about $1,100 for the z620. The z620 has the highest Passmark system rating fro a z620 and the z420 is the 2nd highest z420. The z620 is the quietest computer I've ever had.

CAD / 3D Modeling / Graphic Design:

HP z420 (2015) (Rev 3) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz) / 32GB DDR3 -1866 ECC RAM / Quadro K4200 (4GB) / Samsung SM951 M.2 256GB AHCI + Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) + Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z2300 speakers > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)
[ Passmark Rating = 5581 > CPU= 14046 / 2D= 838 / 3D= 4694 / Mem= 2777 / Disk= 11559] [6.12.16]

Analysis / Simulation / Rendering:

HP z620 (2012) (Rev 3) 2X Xeon E5-2690 (8-core @ 2.9 / 3.8GHz) / 64GB DDR3-1600 ECC reg) / Quadro K2200 (4GB) + Tesla M2090 (6GB) / HP Z Turbo Drive (256GB) + Seagate Constellation ES.3 (1TB) / 800W > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > HP 2711x (27" 1980 X 1080)
[ Passmark System Rating= 5675 / CPU= 22625 / 2D= 815 / 3D = 3580 / Mem = 2522 / Disk = 12640 ] 9.25.16
[Cinebench R15: OpenGL= 115.78 fps / CPU = 2199 cb / Single core 131 cb / MP Ratio 16.84x