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

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

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.