Autocad computer

[Fire2011]

I would like to know if someone could help me out choosing the right hardware. I am trying to build a computer that It's main use is to run autocad program 2011, hydratec ver.51(It's a program that works with autocad to design fire sprinkler systems with 3D capabilities and performs hydraulic calculations), play and burn blue ray discs with 3D capabilities, able to have wireless internet, use two monitors so I could run autocad in one an the other monitor run the basic Microsoft programs such as Outlook, excel, word, etc. I would also like to have a card reader and run Windows 7.

I already bought that case and the PSU. For the case a bought a thermaltake level 10 gt ( I bought it because I liked the way it looked) and the PSU is a Ultra X4 1050 Watts.

I have a budget of $1,000 apart from what I already bought.

Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[tarek0]

Dear Fire2011,

I have what your looking for, because we are in the same field am a MECHANICAL ENGINEER (AUTOMOTIVE SECTION) but I.T Freak anyway if u want the ultimate machine for your everyday work here some ideas:
MOBOS:
1- ASUS MAXIMUS IV EXTREME / LGA 1155/ P67 SANDY-BRIDGE CHIPSET.
2- ASUS RAMPAGE III EXTREME BLACK EDITION / LGA 1366/ X58 CHIPSET.
3- ASUS RAMPAGE III EXTREME / LGA 1366/ X58 CHIPSET.

VGA's:
1- ASUS ENGTX560TI DIRECT CUII TOP.
2- ASUS ENGTX570TI DIRECT CUII TOP.
3- ASUS ENGTX580TI DIRECT CUII TOP.

once you choose the motherboard & vga the rest will be easy, its either I7 960 CPU or I7 2600K SERIES CPU, t.c hope that was helpful

Best Regards, enjoy your build

 

[jaquith]

Since 'lives' are on the line I wouldn't go consumer. Huh??! -> burn blue ray discs with 3D capabilities - for work? Please have separate PC's. I even have levels of Gaming, Personal PC, Workstations, and sub-levels of Servers.

$230 SUPERMICRO MBD-X9SCI-LN4F-O ; http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/C202_C204/X9SCi-LN4F.cfm
$235 Intel Xeon E3-1230 Sandy Bridge 3.2GHz ; http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=52271
$138 2X4GB minimum ; http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=X9SCI-LN4&Cat=RAM

So before putting more time into this -- what's the plan?

 

[Fire2011]

Since 'lives' are on the line I wouldn't go consumer. Huh??! -> burn blue ray discs with 3D capabilities - for work? Please have separate PC's. I even have levels of Gaming, Personal PC, Workstations, and sub-levels of Servers.

$230 SUPERMICRO MBD-X9SCI-LN4F-O ; http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/C202_C204/X9SCi-LN4F.cfm
$235 Intel Xeon E3-1230 Sandy Bridge 3.2GHz ; http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=52271
$138 2X4GB minimum ; http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=X9SCI-LN4&Cat=RAM

So before putting more time into this -- what's the plan?

Ok, I will follow your advise. I will use a different computer for burning blu rays. My main dilemma is the motherboard, video cards and the CPU. For the motherboard I was thinking to buy a P6X58-E WS but I was not sure.

Need advise,

Thanks

 

[jaquith]

Q - How many and what GPUs?
Q - Define "My main dilemma is the motherboard, video cards and the CPU. For the motherboard" - what do you mean?

Where I'm coming from is the use of ECC RAM which requires a Xeon CPU(s). IMO - the value to performance of the LGA 1366 Xeon vs LGA 1155 Xeon; the LGA 1155 is the better choice. ECC RAM is to insure error free computations.

 

[Fire2011]

I was thinking of using a NVIDIA quadro FX 3800 for graphic card. I do not know if I should use two. Regarding the RAM advise I think that it will be the best choice. As you could tell I really do not know that much about hardware requirement for autocad. I really want a computer that it will be fast and efficient. I also would like to use two monitors of 27".


Thanks

 

[jaquith]

If you need multiple GPUs then the ASUS P8B WS.

$230 ASUS P8B WS ; http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8B_WS/
$235 Intel Xeon E3-1230 Sandy Bridge 3.2GHz ; http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=52271
$138 2X4GB minimum e.g. CT2KIT51272BA1339 ; http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=P8B%20WS&Cat=RAM

IMO a Xeon is the best choice, and the last thing you need are errors in mission critical Apps & Data. Sure there are plenty of folks who will disagree and feel the Xeon + ECC is unnecessary. My company compiles REO & IDX Data, and chances are you've seen my data out there -- 100% Xeon Servers + ECC -- etc ALL Professional hardware.

 

[Fire2011]

Thanks

That looks like a great system. I will proceed with that set up. What about the HDD? Should I consider buying a SDD? How did my choice regarding the GPU sounded to you?

Thanks

 

[jaquith]

Here's a few good links:

Link1 -> http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/AutoCAD-Electrical/Help-make-AutoCAD-run-faster/td-p/2538292
PDF Case Study -> http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/autocad_2011_productivity_study.pdf

The Quadro FX 3800 is a good middle of the road GPU. AutoCAD is CPU and RAM centric. What I posted is the best for the money and budget you've indicated. The next step is multiple Xeon CPU setups which will get very expensive.

SSD sure the libraries etc will load faster. IMO HDDs I'd look at a RAID 5 or 10 HDD setup.