So I need to build fast CAD computers at work...

[ROcHE]

I need to build some fast CAD workstations at work. We are using Solidworks 2005 and it's getting way too slow on our current computers (P4 3.2ghz, 2GB of ram, SATA hard drive, ATi FireGL T2 video card).
It takes way to much time to open and save files and whenever Solidworks need to calculate something.

I tested with a Dual 3Ghz Xeon and it's a bit better but not that much (Solidworks does not use the dual fonction that much, but I've heard it might be better in 2006 version).

So here is what I tough :

CPU : Athlon64 X2 4400+ (It seems AMD is better with this particular app)
MB :Asus A8N-E
RAM : 2 x 1GB DDR400
VIDEO : Nvidia Quatro FX1300
HD : Fujitsu MAU 15kRPM 76GB U320 SCSI
CONTROLLER : Adaptec U320 (don't know what model would fit)
CASE : Some Antec with a 400w+ PSU (maybe Sonata 2)


I'm wondering if the move to SCSI will be worth it (it's 6-700$ more than a Raptor) and I'm wondering if a single core cpu (FX-57?) would be better than the dual core. Any inputs, opinion, experiences?

Keep in mind that time is money in that case but I don't feel like throwing money away just to get 2% more performance, I'm looking for 20%+ or better.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Budget?

 

[ROcHE]

3000 to 4000$ US

That's for the computer itself only, no monitor or accessories.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Bah. Ask for a bigger budget..

What you've listed is pretty good. Personally, I would go with 15K Fujitsu SCSI. Betta speed.
I'd also stick with the X2. Nothing I would change.

 

[wpshooter]

Wait for someone to come up with a sufficently large RAM drive.

 

[Markfw]

If you have determined it to be an IO problem, you might even want to find a PCI-X motherboard and go (for starters) with a dual-core opteron. Then later you could add another one. The reason for PCI-X is bandwidth. PCI-X gives you a lot more. Mine can do 200meg sustained read and write, and thats only SCSI 160 10k drives ! With a nice LSI U320-2 and some 15k Fujitsu drives in raid0 like mine you could probably do 300k.

 

[kitkat22]

I second the motion on the dual opterons

 

[Valkerie]

cpu: X2 is fine
mb: get extended dx version if possible
ram: you need 3GB
video: 256mb quadro (2004/2005 build)
hd: 15k SCSI primary, 10k SCSI secondary
controller: standard PCI controller is fine
case: 500w workstation PSU

opterons for CAD isn't going to make a difference, in fact it's pointless unless you're running a high end corporate engineer version of CAD

I would go with this build, but if you stick with your currently posted setup, it'll be just fine as well.

 

[ValuedCustomer]

Have you considered Sun? Sure they're a little pricey but for dev work they're solid as a rock. And they're pre-built. And supported.

just a thought

 

[Valkerie]

Originally posted by: ValuedCustomer
Have you considered Sun? Sure they're a little pricey but for dev work they're solid as a rock. And they're pre-built. And supported.

just a thought

upgrade option: 16x Dual Layer DVD Recorder [+ $295.00]

It's 40 dollars for a dual layer, so the labor to put another optical drive into the system is 255 USD. Rock solid stability...

 

[ValuedCustomer]

Originally posted by: Valkerie

Originally posted by: ValuedCustomer
Have you considered Sun? Sure they're a little pricey but for dev work they're solid as a rock. And they're pre-built. And supported.

just a thought

upgrade option: 16x Dual Layer DVD Recorder [+ $295.00]

It's 40 dollars for a dual layer, so the labor to put another optical drive into the system is 255 USD. Rock solid stability...

so what? it's the company's money not his. if money actually is an issue he can just install himself.. but as the OP said in the first place "time is money". - and what does $$ have to do w/ "Rock solid stability"? sorry but the juxtaposition doesn't make sense..

 

[ROcHE]

Thanks all for opinions. I'm in a hurry right now but I'll have a closer look at options later tonight.

 

[ROcHE]

So what's a good PCI SCSI controller?

 

[ROcHE]

Is there such a thing as a 32 bits PCI U320 SCSI card? Or an Athlon64 board with PCI-X or PCI 64 bits support?

 

[jose]

A64 X2 4400+
DFI SLI-DR
4 x 1GB DDR400
Nvidia Quatro FX1300
2- Fujitsu MAS 15kRPM 76GB U320 SCSI
CONTROLLER : LSI 320-2E (this is a pci-x scsi raid controller)
CASE : CM Stacker w/ an Antec 550EPS the old version

 

[ROcHE]

Originally posted by: jose
A64 X2 4400+
DFI SLI-DR
4 x 1GB DDR400
Nvidia Quatro FX1300
2- Fujitsu MAS 15kRPM 76GB U320 SCSI
CONTROLLER : LSI 320-2E (this is a pci-x scsi raid controller)
CASE : CM Stacker w/ an Antec 550EPS the old version

I've heard that some PCI-X card will fit in PCI slots but in 32bits mode. Is that the case with that one?