AutoCAD 2009 Machine

Build a regular computer and get a mainstream gaming card instead of an overpriced workstation card.

Workstation Cards and Their Mainstream Gaming Equivalents

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/FireGL-Quadro-Works...

Here's an idea, it really isn't risky, but might involve "some" knowledge in rivatuner.

Buy an 8800GT (brand isn't important) for about $110-120, download the latest rivatuner and Quadro drivers. Install rivatuner and the geforce drivers that came with the card, then reboot and follow these steps:

1.) Open rivatuner
2.) On the upper selection area look for "Low-Level system settings" and open it
3.) Go to the NVStrap Driver tab.
4.) On the PCI DeviceID settings look for a dropdown box that says "Graphics adapter identification". Select "Custom" there.
5.) Cycle through the new options that you'll see now, until you find one that says (NVIDIA Quadro FX 3700). Press apply and Ok.
6.) Reboot your system.
7.) Uninstall the Geforce drivers and use Driver Cleaner Pro to make sure you got them all.
8.) Install the latest Quadro drivers.
9.) Be the happy owner of an FX 3700 for $120.

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=539&pgno=...

I'll speak from my experience.
At work I use a P4 @ 3.4GHz, 1G ram, 82915g onboard graphics. XP
All our ACAD2007 work is in --> 2D <--
Works great for our needs.

Do you use autodesk's Inventor or Studio? If so, then, No, you won't have a great experience.

Your RAM is a little light if anything. Look at the mimimum requirements on the box you purchased.

Case: Cooler Master 690 / http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Mobo: ASUS PQ5 P45 / http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

CPU: Q6600 / http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

GPU: choose from above

Ram: G-Skill DDR2 1066 / http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

HDD: WD 640 AAKS / http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

DVD: Samsung / http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

PSU: Corsair / http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

About $839.00.

2d, I say almost, forget the graphics card
3d, yes. But even the FX1700(expensive)=(cheap 8600gt) is more than sufficient in our Inventor.

@ Teancumtbh
What is your Dad doing with ACAD2009?

I work in 2D cad also and I have no issues with any simi modern graphics card that I have used. If your dad doesn't do rendering, then I wouldn't worry about the card that much. Use a different CPU then the one evongugg suggested. I would use something in the 45 nm range. Reason is this: SSE4. It won't make a huge difference, but if you are building from scratch you might as well get it. Some AMD's have that too. I wouldn't be afraid to get a phenom.

Thanks for the input, guys. I was hoping to get out of this for $300-$500, but it looks like it may be more than that. My dad designs cabinets (or is going to attempt to), and they use AutoCAD 2008 at the school he's going to, and he thought about using the 2009 at home.

I appreciate all of the help.