Specifications for CAD work...

[PO15KA]

i need to find out what hardware (PC) and software (OS) i need in order to perform intensive CAD work\design. Work is to be performed at home, not office. so here it goes, what do i need?;

1. CPU (Intel or AMD, speed)
2. RAM (size)
3. Graphics Card
4. HDD (size)
5. Monitor (size, 16:9 or 4:3)
6. Operating system (XP or Vista)

this is quite urgent and all your input will be greatly appreciated.

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[Shay]

depends what sort of cad...

are you goin to use it for 3d rendering, and running simulations?
or just vector drawings, like AutoCAD and Microstation?

[McTwistie]

If you want a good CAD machine and a good write off, here are some top level specs and rough prices:

$ 400 Intel I720 Chip
$ 400 Msi X58 Motherboard
$ 250 2 x (3 x 1gb) DDR3 Ram = 6gb Total
$ 100 Coolermaster cm690 Case
$ 100 650 Watt Power Supply (Go to 800 depending on Video Card)
$ ?? You favorite Keyboard and Mouse

$ 250 x ? 24" High Def DELL LCD Screen (dual or quad monitors?)

Lastly and most importantly, you have the video card. You can go from a 9800 gt for about $200, to a GTX 275 for about $350, to a High Level Cad card with Multi-monitor for over $2000.

Stay away from the Nvidia NVS but maybe a QUADRO....

The base unit is solid - the I720 chip can do pretty much anything, and you can always go up to 12gb of ram or even 24gb if you have to. It really depends on how far up the scale of SERIOUS you want to go.

Cheers

[PO15KA]

thank you gentlemen, it will be for vector (drawing) autoCAD work


what about operating system? Vista or stick with XP?
HDD, i guess 1TB for starters should be enough?

[Shay]

seriously dude you dont need much...

2GHz + Processor, id say intel cos thats all i know
2Gb+ RAM
any screen size/aspect, but id prob just go a 19" 4:3.

and ACAD a files arent too big. 1 TB would be PLENTY...

pretty sure XP is the go...

[McTwistie]

I won't ever touch Vista again if I can help it.

XP is good, but a waste on a modern PC.

Windows 7 x64 RC is much better then Vista SP2 !! Hell, even the first beta was better.

Wait a month or two and buy windows 7 in October when it is released. You will not be dissapointed. But make sure you buy the 64 bit (x64) version !. And for straight line CAD an every day Nvidia gtx 275 will do an awesome job - not to mention the games

Cheers

[gman]

Windows 7 x64 RC is much better then Vista SP2 !! Hell, even the first beta was better.

Nothing beats a better beta...

[PO15KA]

yet again... Dziekuje

[kabel]

We run Archicad software at work,but I do not get into the serious 3D renderings......I just draw conclusions all day !

[Calibrated]

depends on your budget really
but this is what i would be looking at

1. CPU (Intel or AMD, speed) AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
2. RAM (size) at LEAST 6GB. kinds pointless bothering with less
3. Graphics Card - GTX 260 upwards. Quadro FX if you can afford it
4. HDD (size) as much as you can. i would say at LEAST 2 x 1Tb drives running in RAID 1
5. Monitor (size, 16:9 or 4:3) 16:9 without a doubt, and 21.5" and upwards
6. Operating system (XP or Vista) 7 RC

if you need someone to build the system for you (depending where you are based of course), shoot me a PM. i can beat MSY's prices