$2000 for an autocad3D computer.

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Theguynextdoor

Golden Member
Nov 17, 2004
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Need it to run like i was running something simple like internet explorer.
It has to be a Dell though. (not for me)


I have no idea how computer intensive Autocad3D is so please elaborate so I will know please.

Thanks for anybody that could help.

So far I spec'd it out with a

Penitum 4 3.Ghz HT
1GB 533DDR2 RAM
Single 160GB 7200RPM drive
Basic CDROM
With a free 19" LCD
all for about $1079
so still some room left, btw this is the dimension 8400.

Anything should I change? I don't know much about AutoCAD3D, I just hear it's intensive. But I don't know what part of the computer I should focus on.
 
YOyoYOhowsDAjello

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
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Does the whole thing have to be from dell, or can you put some custom parts in it?

(Like a CAD videocard?)
 
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Theguynextdoor

Golden Member
Nov 17, 2004
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Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Does the whole thing have to be from dell, or can you put some custom parts in it?

(Like a CAD videocard?)
Click to expand...

Yes. And can you explain to me what the difference between a CAD videocard and a high performance gaming card is?
 
Fullmetal Chocobo

Fullmetal Chocobo

Moderator<br>Distributed Computing
Moderator
May 13, 2003
13,704
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Originally posted by: Theguynextdoor
Need it to run like i was running something simple like internet explorer.
It has to be a Dell though. (not for me)


I have no idea how computer intensive Autocad3D is so please elaborate so I will know please.

Thanks for anybody that could help.

So far I spec'd it out with a

Penitum 4 3.Ghz HT
1GB 533DDR2 RAM
Single 160GB 7200RPM drive
Basic CDROM
With a free 19" LCD
all for about $1079
so still some room left, btw this is the dimension 8400.

Anything should I change? I don't know much about AutoCAD3D, I just hear it's intensive. But I don't know what part of the computer I should focus on.
Click to expand...

Okay, I don't do autoCAD either, but I do mess with rendering in 3D Studio Max. My recommendations, get more hard drive space and RAM. Need at least another drive. Especially if you are going for performance in autoCAD. Having your OS, and your programs / projects on another drive will help a lot. Same with having 2GB of RAM. If you have the money, get more RAM. You can definitely work with 1GB, but if you start getting into complications projects with a lot of detail, it will eat up RAM and hard drive space like crazy.

LCD, eh. Me personally, I don't like using them for graphical work due to the fact that they get interpolated if you need to change from the native resolution. I've had projects where I had to take my 19" CRT to 2048x1536, and an LCD just couldn't do that (well).

Secondly, I would highly recommend getting a CD-RW or DVD burner. Reason being for backup of projects and finished work. The last thing you want is to have been working on something for a month, and something happen to your computer, and you lose all of the work that you have been doing. So keep something for external backup purposes.

As for the difference between a professional card and a gaming card. The main difference is drivers. If you get a Quadro FX card, you update your card to the drivers that have been certified for the application that you use, as opposed to when they come out with a new version. This ensures compatibility and stability with your programs, which takes higher precedence than performance in the server / DCC world. Also, you have things like Maxtreme, which provide better performance when using DCC (digital content creation, by the way) applications. So a gaming card would work, but it just wouldn't be as effective while you are setting up the geometry or whatnot in the program.

Another aspect to be aware of is if you plan on doing anything while the program is rendering, which is most likely the most intensive part of content creation. If you do, multi-core / HT processor will benefit you greatly. A single core will do the task fast, but multi-tasking will be greatly affected by it. Oh, and cache *greatly* increases performance in my experience with this...

Hope all of that has some relevance, and helps. :)
Tas.

 
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SirBrass

Member
Jun 8, 2005
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for autocad, you need as MUCH RAM as possible. My roommate is an AE major (aerospace engineering) and has used both CATIA and autoCAD in his design classes, and has said that the more RAM the comp has, the smoother autoCAD operates. I'd go for something with dual channel RAM, and put 1 GB sticks in it, at the max speed the mobo supports. Get a quality mobo and a processor that is capable of handling lots of data efficiently.

I'd also go for a top notch gpu. Maybe something with video RAM in the range of 512 MB or so.

Also, high HDD capacity is needed as well, as autoCAD files can easilly become quite large. I'd go for 2 200 GB HDDs AT LEAST on SATA (SCUSI if you're lucky).

AutoCAD3D is VERY VERY computer intensive, and you're going to need as much graphics processing, cpu power, hdd capacity, and RAM as possible. Not sure if $2k will cut it, but I think you might be able to come close, and thus still make a quality system for the person who needs an autoCAD3d system.

Edit: an SLI mobo would be a good idea so you can get several quality video cards and slave them together.

Also, forget LCD. Go with a top notch CRT.

2nd Edit: and forget dell. they can't cater to your needs in this instance.
 
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Theguynextdoor

Golden Member
Nov 17, 2004
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BTW guys, the person using this will be a Civil Engineer, he'll be building bridges and stuff, so I don't know how important color will be.
 
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SirBrass

Member
Jun 8, 2005
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oh, civ E. He won't need that powerful of a computer unless he wants to be rendering animation with his comp, and civ E's don't do animation b/c they essentially just design static things (aka 'Targets' ;)). Still, Dell will NOT cut it. I'm sorry, but a system being built around it's ability to use a 3d CAD program is NOT within a Dell's capabilities if you really want to make the system work well. Tell your client that he has 2 choices: go with a Dell, or go with a system that will run CAD the way he wants it to run. The two are mutually exclusive, essentially (this is not my Dell bias talking. I know this b/c our school uses Dells, and those who use the CAD software on the school computers have complaints up the wazoo about the computers not being adequate enough to handle the CAD program at the detail and complexity that they need it).
 
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imported_Opteron

Member
Jun 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: Theguynextdoor
BTW guys, the person using this will be a Civil Engineer, he'll be building bridges and stuff, so I don't know how important color will be.
Click to expand...
Make it black :D

Seriously, forget Dell and other big OEM's.
From those you get only crap with 2k.

Here is my suggestion, no details much, but general idea anyway.
Also my prices can be little off.

AMD X2 4400 - 600$
ATI Fire GL 5000 - 400
Motherboard - 130$
Memory 2GB - 200$ ?
Case with 120mm fans and Enermax PSU about - 150$
19" flat display or 21" CRT - 350$
Basic DVD burner 50$
Keyboard mouse 40$
HDD 120GB 80$

Total ~2000 $ for a true powerhouse.

You can find some parts cheaper propably ?
.

[edit]

Those CAD programs with their multiple windowses and wireframe models are VERY CPU intensive.
That's why i chose dual core CPU, it makes working much more pleasant and effective.
Remember, waiting for 1/10th of a second is pain in the ass when suing computers :)
.
 
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imported_Opteron

Member
Jun 10, 2005
39
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Originally posted by: SirBrass
he's def. going to need more than one HDD, though. make that TWO 120 GB HDDs.
Click to expand...

For porn ? ;)

If he needs HDD performance, then 2000$ budget is NOT for highperf CAD workstation budget.
.

[edit]

AMD X2 4400 - 600$
ATI Fire GL 5000 - 400
Motherboard - 130$
Memory 2GB - 200$ ?
Case with 120mm fans and Enermax PSU about - 150$
19" flat display or 21" CRT - 350$
Basic DVD burner 50$
Keyboard mouse 40$
.HDD 80GB for Operating system and other stuff..
.HDD 74GB 10000rpm with NCQ for CAD stuff and for swapfile.

Total approx 2150$ or less.

ps. 3 months ago this would have cost over 4000 $ !
 
The Boston Dangler

The Boston Dangler

Lifer
Mar 10, 2005
14,647
2
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He's a CE, and has to provide his own computer? Anyway....

I ran AutoCAD just fine on my ATI AIW 9800pro. I seriously doubt the workstations at school had uber-swanky vid systems. They were crapolla, and AutoCAD ran almost fine. Nothing wrong with LCDs either. SLI is for suckers and fanatics.

Much more important is a high-rez monitor, and a DX9 vid card that supports the highest resolutions. Dell sells the delicious 2405, like $1200.

The Dell approach is very reliable, take advantage of the warranties and service.

1 GB of RAM should be plenty, 2 can't hurt.

If it's a work machine, redundant RAID would probably be a very good idea. Don't forget a DVD burner, and plenty of Verbatim blank DVD's. Maybe a card reader or USB drive is needed, too.

I don't think the box you configured would work out as well as something like the Dimension series of home/home office PC's, mid-range and up.

If it's something he will earn a living with, why not make a larger investment and reap the rewards?
 
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