Need help choosing parts for new CAD workstation

[Toks]

I am thinking of building a new system to run AutoCAD - Revit Architecture Suite 2011,
3dMax 2011, Autodesk ImageModeller and Photoshop CS5
This system will be strictly for work.
Budget is $2400 - $2800. Any suggestions as to choice of hardware would be welcome

I often handle large models over 100 mb

Never having used one, I don't know if a Quadro or Fire GL graphic card is worth the extra expense

My current system is a
Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
Gigabyte X48-DQ6 motherboard
MSI N9600GT 512mb DDR3
8.00 GB of ram, @ 800mhz
2x Maxtor DiamondMax 21 SATA 320-GB HDD
Vista Ultimate x64

 

[Alvin Smith]

Actually, You will want to go with the 1GB version of the 460 and X58 with a 930(OC) or a 970 ... 6GB DDR3 will do but 12GB would be better.

You will want at least a 23.5" diagonal LCD with at least 1920x1200 rez at <5ms

A Spinpoint F3 (1TB) for rendering and an Intel G2 (80GB) for boot/apps.

A Corsair 650Watt PSU and a HAF-922 case ... plus 120mm cooler (push-pull).

Samsung SATA DVDR + one SATA cable (2 come with mobo).

= Al =

 

[Alvin Smith]

PS ... you need to fill out the sticky form ... some sort of budget target would help.

... add Win7-Pro64(OEM)

= Al

 

[siliconvideo]

We just bought a 1/2 dozen cad machines for our office base on:

1) CPU : i7/860, 8 gigabyte memory
2) liquid cooled
3) GPU : Dual gtx9800 video cards, able to run up to 4 monitors, most of us run 2-3 monitors all the time.
4) PSU : 750W Coolmaster Silent pro
5) DISK : dual 500Gigabyte configured as RAID 0 for speed
6) OS : Win7/64 pro

Note, the our goal was for performance while keeping it quiet for the office. I hate hearing all the noisy fans.

This setup only cost about $1400

Everybody likes the systems so far. They run ProE Wildfire just fine along with a boat load of other CAD programs we use. Also with the Nvidia cards can run CUDA code if the CAD programs support it.

 

[Toks]

Thanks,

My budget is $2400 - $2800, might be able to stretch to $3000,

I won't be needing a monitor as I intend to continue using my old 19" LG

until I can afford something better

Toks

 

[Alvin Smith]

$2,500 (plus) budget ... for CAD, no less, ... and he's gonna "continue" using his (solitary)

19" monitor ... ?! ...

... That's all I needed to hear ...



= toodles = [:bilbat:1] [:bilbat:1]

 

[Toks]

Dual 19" monitors, not solitary 19" monitor.
When I need to, I have access to two 32" Samsung Flat panel HDTV's which I prefer to leave for my wife (watching DVDs) & sons (gaming). It helps to keep the peace around the house.

As for the budget, I happen to live in a country where prices are almost double what they are in the US
due to a crippling high interest rate in addition to high import duties.

I could settle for an HP, Dell or Lenovo Workstation but I would have to pay 75% - 80% more than in the US,
all without the benefit of customer support which is practically none existent over here.

The same company offers customer support & service for HP, Dell, Acer & Lenovo. And by the way for Apple as well.
As for leasing at 20% - 25% down payment and 35% - 40% interest rate that's a no go area.

By the time I factor in cost of shipping and import duties it would be closer to $5800.
So for me monitors are secondary. I need as much of that initial $2500 - $2800 to go towards the system it self.
It will probably have to serve for a minimum five years, with some minor upgrades.

(Now what wouldn't I give to be able to apply all that money to the system rather than to some dubious goverment taxes)

 

[Alvin Smith]

Fair enough ... Dancing elephants removed.

(your interest in mind ... ONLY)

= Al =

 

[Toks]

siliconvideo,

Your set up seems like a good Idea to me, although I would change the PSU to 850W or even 1000W
to be sure it would still be capable of handling any future upgrades for the next 4-5 years.

What motherboard and also what liquid cooler do you have?

Do you per chance run the 2010/2011 versions of AutoCad, Autocad Architecture or Revit Architecture among the
"boat load of other CAD programs" You mentioned?

How have the Dual gtx9800 video cards been performing?

 

[batuchka]

The drivers/support mean if CAD apps are mission critical peeps would go professional class GPUs for the most part