- Jul 15, 2010
- 75
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I work for a small construction company. We are getting to a point where we will need to update/upgrade several of our computers. The ones primarily used for office apps such as Word, Excel, accounting software are simple enough. The ones I need advice on are the workstations. We do some desgin work with Civil 3D (an Autodesk CADD product) and Trimble software which is our machine control system. This means we do a lot of surface modeling. This is not overly intense like 3D annimation but does require significant resources. I am putting together so ideas for two types of machines then. One that uses the CADD software daily and one that uses the software on occassion as needed. For the medium CADD station I am entertaining options for both a Core i5, i7 machine and for a Xeon dual processor capable machine though that is likely overkill. For the lighter workstations a Core i5, i7 will be more than sufficient.
Medium CADD Workstation:
Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 weeks to 1-2 months I'm not worried about exact price just yet but need a budget range and a performance range. If that means waiting for the SandyBridge fix, that's fine.
Budget Range: The less expensive the better. About $1000 to $2000 Before Rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: CADD, Office, Internet, multi-tasking
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, OS, monitors, speakers, case is not a necessity (can reuse existing dell cases if we need to), need PSU
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg
Country of Origin: US
Parts Preferences: currently using intel & nVidia parts but not completely opposed to AMD. My impression is that nVidia Quadro is better for CADD applications because of CUDA. Local storage is not a huge issue. We have a server for most file storage. A 120ish GB SSD for OS and apps and a 320GB HDD is plenty. A single HDD would be fine as well. Blue-Ray is not necessary.
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe but probably not necessary
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200 min
Additional Comments: Again this is for the medium CADD workstation. This machine will run 24/7 and should last for several years. The current machine is at least 4 years old.
Light CADD Workstation:
Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 weeks to 1-2 months I'm not worried about exact price just yet but need a good budget range and a performance range. If that means waiting for the SandyBridge fix, that's fine.
Budget Range: The less expensive the better. About $1000 to $2000 Before Rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Takeoff & Estimating software, Office, CADD, Internet, multi-tasking
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, OS, monitors, speakers, case is not a necessity (can reuse existing dell cases if we need to), need PSU
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg
Country of Origin: US
Parts Preferences: currently using intel & nVidia parts but not completely opposed to AMD. My impression is that nVidia Quadro is better for CADD applications because of CUDA. Local storage is not a huge issue. We have a server for most file storage. A 120ish GB SSD for OS and apps and a 320GB HDD is plenty. A single HDD would be fine as well. Blue-Ray is not necessary.
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe but probably not necessary
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200 min
Additional Comments: Again this is for the light CADD workstation. The machine will run 24/7 and should last for several years. The current machine is at least 4 years old. We will be building up to 3 of the light CADD machines. Mine is a Pentium 4 630 Prescott, hyper-threaded with a nVidia Quadro FX 540.
Thanks for your help!
Medium CADD Workstation:
Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 weeks to 1-2 months I'm not worried about exact price just yet but need a budget range and a performance range. If that means waiting for the SandyBridge fix, that's fine.
Budget Range: The less expensive the better. About $1000 to $2000 Before Rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: CADD, Office, Internet, multi-tasking
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, OS, monitors, speakers, case is not a necessity (can reuse existing dell cases if we need to), need PSU
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg
Country of Origin: US
Parts Preferences: currently using intel & nVidia parts but not completely opposed to AMD. My impression is that nVidia Quadro is better for CADD applications because of CUDA. Local storage is not a huge issue. We have a server for most file storage. A 120ish GB SSD for OS and apps and a 320GB HDD is plenty. A single HDD would be fine as well. Blue-Ray is not necessary.
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe but probably not necessary
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200 min
Additional Comments: Again this is for the medium CADD workstation. This machine will run 24/7 and should last for several years. The current machine is at least 4 years old.
Light CADD Workstation:
Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 weeks to 1-2 months I'm not worried about exact price just yet but need a good budget range and a performance range. If that means waiting for the SandyBridge fix, that's fine.
Budget Range: The less expensive the better. About $1000 to $2000 Before Rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Takeoff & Estimating software, Office, CADD, Internet, multi-tasking
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, OS, monitors, speakers, case is not a necessity (can reuse existing dell cases if we need to), need PSU
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg
Country of Origin: US
Parts Preferences: currently using intel & nVidia parts but not completely opposed to AMD. My impression is that nVidia Quadro is better for CADD applications because of CUDA. Local storage is not a huge issue. We have a server for most file storage. A 120ish GB SSD for OS and apps and a 320GB HDD is plenty. A single HDD would be fine as well. Blue-Ray is not necessary.
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe but probably not necessary
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200 min
Additional Comments: Again this is for the light CADD workstation. The machine will run 24/7 and should last for several years. The current machine is at least 4 years old. We will be building up to 3 of the light CADD machines. Mine is a Pentium 4 630 Prescott, hyper-threaded with a nVidia Quadro FX 540.
Thanks for your help!
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