3D CAD visualization, software ArchiCAD, Microstation, Revit AutoCAD

[annamaria]

Hello specis,

as a non-specialist I am realizing after some days of reading through the Internet I NEED HELP.
I was made redundant in my job, so I am thinking of setting out of my own (single parent, food has to be on the table...), but my PC which I bought in Oct 2005 want not to be part of the deal. No way that it comes back to live affter the last crash.
Just before I was going to PC world I read here in the Forum, that this is not the place to go.

I am using the PC for 3D CAD / Visualization ArchiCAD, Microstation, SketchUP, AutoCAD Revit, Photoshop and MS Office (no gaming) .

At DELL I found this information on graphic cards for design application software:

For Industrial Design - Autodesk ImageStudio:

Processor: Dual, Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor X5482 (3.20GHz,2X6M L2,1600 FSB

Graphics card: 768MB PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX 4600, Dual Monitor DVI Capable

For Mainstream CAD - Autodesk - Inventor: Graphics card 768MB PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX 4600, Dual Monitor

For DCC - Design & Pre-Press - Adobe InDesign: Graphics card 512MB PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX1700

For DCC - Design & Pre-Press - Adobe PhotoShop: Graphics card 512MB PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX1700

For DCC - Video Editing - Adobe Production Premium CS3: Graphics card 512MB PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX1700

For DCC - Video Editing - Avid Xpress Pro: 512MB PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX1700

For DCC - Animation - Autodesk - 3ds Max: 768MB PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX 4600, Dual Monitor DVI Capable

For AEC/GIS - Bentley: PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX1700


Question: cheaper alternatives for a stable system? Would you recommend Precision T3400, Precision T7400 or R5400?

Many thanks in advance!

annamaria

 

[nostrad]

Hi there,
The all you need at this dell workstation you should look for the RAM and graphic card memory with GL also, for work on 3D software you prefer is enough 8GB RAM and 768 GB graphic card - it's very optimal solution. The rendering takes more time if you have less both memory RAM and graphic card. The rest it's doesn't matter.
Z

 

[annamaria]

Thank you nostrad Z !

8GB RAM and 768 GB graphic card is quick and cost a bit at DELL.

I like doing 3D CAD at the computer, but have no knowledge to build a PC.

I saw here on Tom's site a link to pcspecialist.co.uk Is this a good manufacturer?
They have 4, 6 or 12GB but not 8GB RAM options.

I specified this DDR3 Based Workstation: Any comments or advise ....Will design you a nice little house ....

THANKS

annamaria

Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Processor i7-920 (4 X 2.66GHz) 4.8GTs/8MB Cache
Free Item FREE Far Cry 2 DVD Game (RRP: £49.99) with any Intel® Core™ 2 Quad/Core™ i7 CPU!
Memory (RAM) 6GB CORSAIR XMS3 1600MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY! (3x2GB)
Motherboard ASUS® P6T WS PROFESSIONAL: NEW ERA CORE i7 WORKSTATION
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium 64 bit Edition + SP1, CD & Licence (£84)
USB Options 8 x USB 2.0 PORTS (6 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 640GB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 16MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
VD Drive 22x DUAL LAYER LIGHTSCRIBE DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Graphics Card 1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE 9800GT PCI EXPRESS
Sound Card ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
Memory Card Reader INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)
Case STYLISH SILVER/BLACK TRIDENT CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Power Supply & Case Cooling 450W Quiet Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£28)
Processor Cooling STANDARD CPU COOLER
Firewire & Video Editing 2 x IEEE 1394a FIREWIRE PORTS (1 onboard, 1 at back panel)
Anti-Virus NORTON ANTI-VIRUS 2009 - 1 Year Licence for 1 PC (£15)
Office Software NONE
Warranty 1 Year Return-to-Base incl 1st Month Free Collect & Return
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Quantity 1
Price for this PC System:
£869.57 ex VAT. £1000 inc VAT and Delivery.