Cheap build for Solidworks and AutoCAD?

[jellymountain]

I just finished my first semester of the engineering program at my highschool, and recently found out that my teacher is getting some free copies of solidworks (the student version or more basic, probably) and that I may be able to get one. Unfortunately, my family's current pc will be nowhere near enough to run something like this, so I was looking for some help to build a cheap computer, budget of around $400, to run this version of Solidworks and the free student version of AutoCAD. It would also be great if it was up-gradable, as I do plan on taking engineeering classes for at least the next three years of highschool, and hopefully into college.

I have a pretty good understanding of the components of a computer, but am unsure how to make sure that each component will work together.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

Also, I do know that $400 is on the almost not worth it level of an engineering computer, but as I will only be running the very basic versions of Solidworks and autocad, I was hoping this could be done on the cheap, while being upgradable, of course, thanks.

 

[iceclock]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xgLs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xgLs/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xgLs/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($114.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus F2A55-M LK PLUS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.57 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Hitachi 500GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Mac Mall)
Case: Zalman Z9 ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $377.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-12 18:28 EST-0500)

 

[jellymountain]

Thanks. Does the Asus motherboard have a video card built in? I read that with solidworks, a good video card is good to have. Also, is there a general opinion on if AMD, Asus, or Intel is better? I was kind of leaning towards Intel, but only because I have heard of it more often. Thanks

 

[iceclock]

that cpu comes with the best avaible integrated gpu avaible on the market

also u cannot afford intel atm, and asus makes motherboards, amd makes cpus

 

[jellymountain]

Okay, thanks. Well I got bored and decided to just try and build one on parts picker. I did go over $400, but if it means a better computer, that's fine with me. Also, I can't seem to pick a mother board. I guess I was wanting something a bit beefier, but I don't know enough about them to choose.
But here it is: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xnyh

And also, here are the system requirements for solidworks. http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/SystemRequirements.html
Thanks.

 

[iceclock]

here if u want something beefier:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xnWW
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xnWW/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xnWW/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($114.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A85X Extreme4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($36.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Zalman Z11 ATX Mid Tower Case ($40.20 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $515.10
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-13 11:35 EST-0500)

also some of those cards u listed are expensive, i could of recommanded an addon card but wouldnt fit in ur budget tho.

 

[jellymountain]

Best answer selected by jellymountain.

 

[iceclock]

thanks

enjoy ur autocad rig mang

 

[jellymountain]

Okay thanks. Well, I guess the main thing is that it would be upgradable to an add on video card, right? It seems like the cpu should be fine for now, as I doubt the computers we used at school had a real good video card, but it still worked fine.

Also would the ASRock FM2A85X Extreme4 be better than the ASRock FM2A85X Extreme4-M Micro ATX FM2, since it is only a $20 difference?

 

[iceclock]

not really, might have few usbs more, alright yeah u can add in a quatro 400 for 160$ later down the road

 

[jellymountain]

Okay, also, I read that until you update the bios with the asrock, you have to use ram with 1.8v. Should I just start out with a set that uses 1.8v?

 

[jellymountain]

I made a few revisions after reading some reviews. It did rase the price by a bit, so could you recomend where I could change a few things? Thanks

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xrw8

 

[iceclock]

ur build or the one i did is good, but u wont see a performance increase tho with the more expensive one u made

 

[jellymountain]

Okay, well I was just worried about the reviews for the ram you had chosen. It seemed like every review was of one that had failed, so I chose a different one. But I see what you're saying. But do you know anything about the ram voltage and the motherboard? I heard you needed 1.8v until you updated the motherboard.

 

[iceclock]

updating the bios is easy, and can be done within windows, or from a usb key.

if u find its a problem, ur welcome to choose an alternative motherboard,

 

[jellymountain]

I don't see it as a problem, I was just wondering if I would need to buy like 1 0r 2 gigs of 1.8v ram so that I can update the BIOS.

 

[iceclock]

if u need to update it, might be able to get something else such as:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xAW0
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xAW0/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xAW0/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus F2A85-M/CSM Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Scorpio Black 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.68 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $582.57
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-14 15:24 EST-0500)

might be simpler and not give u any headaches

 

[plasmaguy]

Iceclock,

I am in a similar situation to jellymountain.... is the build you suggested still a good move?

if u need to update it, might be able to get something else such as:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xAW0
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xAW0/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xAW0/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus F2A85-M/CSM Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Scorpio Black 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.68 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $582.57
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-14 15:24 EST-0500)

might be simpler and not give u any headaches