Question CAD Build Advice

[kpgilley]

Hello, guys!

I'm building a new pc to run a bunch of CAD (i.e. AutoCAD, SolidWorks, that sort of thing) and FEA (Specifically, Ansys) software. Both of those software packages are pretty heavy, especially Ansys. System requirements can be found here for SolidWorks and here for Ansys. I will definitely want to be able to run Excel/MATLAB, a browser, and one of the packages simultaneously (at least). I don't have much experience with building computers, so I would really, really appreciate advice on the setup I'm currently thinking about.

Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime this month

Budget Range: $2500 out the door, including monitor, keyboard, mouse, and taxes (I don't care about shipping). However, under 2k would be ever better, if it's possible.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: CAD, FEA, MATLAB, Microsoft Office, Internet browsing, Streaming video, Gaming

Parts to Buy:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700x {$290}
• Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix B550 F {$202}
• GPU: PNY Nvidia Quadro P2200 {$490}
• Team T-Force Xtreem ARGB 2x16GB 28800 14 CAS Latency {$305}
• SSD: Samsung 980 Pro 500GB {$120}
• HDD: Seagate Barracuda 4TB {$85}
• Case: Fractal Design Meshify C Black w/glass {$90}
• Extra Fans: Noctura NF-S12B Redux-1200 PWM {2x $14}
• PSU: Corsair CX 550 F {$70}
• Monitor: LG 32GK650F-B 32 {$297}
• Mouse: Logitech MX Master {$61}
• Keyboard: Logitech G413 {$64}
• OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home {$120}

Do you need to buy OS: Maybe. My university may provide me with one, but I'm not sure. Either way, I'd like to go with Windows (not OEM)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Wherever they are the cheapest, but I've mostly been looking at Newegg and Amazon.

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Overclocking: Most likely not

Monitor Resolution: 2560x1440

 

[sdifox]

Why are you looking at 3700X instead of a 5800X? Drop the ram to DDR4-4000 CAS 18 and you can get the 5800X with same budget (well you do need to get cpu cooler with 5800X). Autocad is single threaded mostly so the 5800X is better for that. Even the 5600X is a better pick than 3700X

MB Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite is cheaper and supports PCIE4 and Ryzen 5800X

https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-B550-AORUS-Realtek-Motherboard/dp/B089FT8G44/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=b550+aorus+elite&qid=1630672292&sr=8-3

or step up to X570 board

https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-X570-AORUS-802-11AC-Motherboard/dp/B07WL5MFXL/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=x570+motherboard&qid=1630672663&sr=8-3

Also, why are you looking at Quadro instead of a RX? Unless it is availability issues. It's about GTX1060 performance. Maybe a 1660?

https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-GeForce-192-bit-Graphics-ZT-T16600K-10M/dp/B07XV7FNR2/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=1650+super&qid=1630673421&sr=8-18

NVMEs have become a minefield with the manufacturers switching out chips without changing model name or revision.


130 for 1TB NVME, 60 for 512 Bigger drive is better than faster drive.

https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-MZ-V8V1T0B-AM-980-SSD/dp/B08V83JZH4/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=1tb+nvme&qid=1630674734&sr=8-3

You can use partspicker and provide a link xd

Also, are you going to be running Ansys Student or Academic Research HPC? The latter supports multi core.

How do I get ansys to full utilize my cpu? - Ansys Learning Forum | Ansys Innovation Space

I upgraded my hardware from an i7 4790k 16gb 1333mhz ram to ryzen 9 3900x with 32gb 3200mhz ram and when I run my meshes it will only fully utilize my ram. How do I get it to fully utilize all 12 cores at nearly 100%? I am using 19.2.

forum.ansys.com

Check with university on win 10 licence, there may be academic pricing.

 

[RLGL]

As SDIFOX stated Autocad is single core, this is for all cad apps. Where the video card come in is for rendering apps. * g video memory is the minimum. The quadro cards are not the best for this use. It would be a better choice to go with Nvidia 2070 series or better.

 

[sdifox]

As SDIFOX stated Autocad is single core, this is for all cad apps. Where the video card come in is for rendering apps. * g video memory is the minimum. The quadro cards are not the best for this use. It would be a better choice to go with Nvidia 2070 series or better.

So just buy a video card and nothing else? Assuming you can find one.



2060

Amazon.com

 

[bigboxes]

So just buy a video card and nothing else? Assuming you can find one.



2060

Amazon.com

You know it's been over a month since I even looked at video cards. Now, I click your links and see that much hasn't changed.