Suggestions/Recommendations on New System

[aposatsk]

Hello!

I'm building a computer with a <$2000 (Canadian) budget for 3D CAD work (ie. SolidWorks, AutoCAD, perhaps 3dsMax).

I've been recommended the following parts by a member from another forum. This excludes the video card and the monitor, because I'm still debating between a workstation card like FireGL v3300 or a good VGA (gaming) card (even though I won't play games very often).

Please give me your suggestions and comments regarding the following choices. I do not plan to heavily overclock.

Case: Antec NSK 4400 $40 AR, free shipping (http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4814040)
PS in this isn't appropriate for system, so save it/give it away.

CPU: e6300 $183, free shipping (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80858)

CPU cooler: good quality Intel cooler included free in above "Boxed Retail" CPU.

PS: Antec NeoHE 550w $70 AR, free shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103941)
It's VERY important to have a powerful, solid PS these days. This will handle just about anything you throw at it (even high-end video cards).

MB: Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus $200 including shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131153)
High-end quad-core ready w/bell & whistles.

RAM: OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-667 CL4 $140 AR, free shipping (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85253)
This RAM will allow OCing the CPU 25% without having to OC the RAM.

 

[sjandrewbsme]

Why do you need an SLI board for CAD? That board you mentioned is $240.

That power supply is not all that good. I used to swear by Antec PSU's but they're not all that good. Look around for a seasonic, enermax, pc power and cooling (if you can afford it), or silverstone. The 400W Antec PSU I used to brag about gave out long ago and I've been fine with my Enermaxz Liberty since.

If you're using Solidworks (I use it at work), I would recommend as much RAM as you can afford. For medium sized assemblies I think they recommend 4GB of RAM. Also, if you have COSMOS, you might want to consider more storage. I've seen 15 GIGABYTE swap files when meshing a complex shape with lots of nodes.

Also, I'm pretty sure the QuadroFX cards are better for SW than the Fire series.

 

[aposatsk]

Originally posted by: sjandrewbsme
Why do you need an SLI board for CAD? That board you mentioned is $240.

That power supply is not all that good. I used to swear by Antec PSU's but they're not all that good. Look around for a seasonic, enermax, pc power and cooling (if you can afford it), or silverstone. The 400W Antec PSU I used to brag about gave out long ago and I've been fine with my Enermaxz Liberty since.

If you're using Solidworks (I use it at work), I would recommend as much RAM as you can afford. For medium sized assemblies I think they recommend 4GB of RAM. Also, if you have COSMOS, you might want to consider more storage. I've seen 15 GIGABYTE swap files when meshing a complex shape with lots of nodes.

Also, I'm pretty sure the QuadroFX cards are better for SW than the Fire series.

1 What motherboard do you suggest?

2 Thanks about the PS recommendation. I'll look around for a seasonic or enermax.

3 I believe SolidWorks recommends 2GB+ RAM for very large assemblies. But they say 1GB will do fine for mid-size assemblies. Although I suppose 2GB won't hurt even for me. Do you recommend 667 or 800 ram?

4 I can't afford QuadroFX. The FireGL card I found was the cheapest one (<400). DO you recommend buying a gaming video card as a replacement in a case where the budget is tight?

 

[sjandrewbsme]

If you are not overclocking, I would get this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121059

It's expensive, but rock solid and reliable. If you want to save some cash, you can get this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131030

I have 2GB in my work machine and I'm always in the swap file for even medium assemblies. Depending on your OS, you may be limited anyway (I think XP Pro 32Bit maxes out @ 2.75GB). I would get a decent 7900GT and not a fire card.

For SW, I would spend your money in the following order:

1- CPU
2- RAM
3- GPU

While I think the V/C is important, I think you would get more bang for your buck either overclocking the E6300 or getting a faster proc.

 

[aposatsk]

1. I think I'm going to consider your first option for the motherboard.

2. For the RAM: Do you recommend 667 or 800?

3. I think I'm going to go with 6600. Or is the extra money (compared to 6300) not worth it?

4. I've been recommended the 7600GT also. Is it worth it to invest in a 7900GT instead?

5. what is V/C?

 

[sjandrewbsme]

V/C = video card

Unless you're overclocking, all you need is 533 RAM for the E6600. The "faster" RAM works for higher FSB settings. This allows you to overclock - which you won't be doing.

The E6600 is indeed a faster processor. It has more cache and runs at a higher clock speed. If you can afford it, I would get the 6600.

The 7600GT is a fine card. But, the 7900GT is significantly faster. It costs about 2X more. The hardware of these cards is very similar (if not identical) to the Quadro line (the nVidia workstation card). The real difference is the drivers. And no, the Quadro drivers will not work for their GeForce line

If you have a choice of the E6600 or 7900, I would get the 6600 (I think you will get more benefit, without overclocking, by that change).

 

[engiNURD]

Also check out the X1950Pro.

FYI, Antec's NeoHE line is made by Seasonic.

 

[sjandrewbsme]

From what I've read the nVidia cards are better with SW. That being said that card is a kick butt mid range card.

 

[aposatsk]

I've come down to a few 'final' choices. Please correct me if you think that I've made a bad choice. Once again, it's for home CAD design.


Here are my choices:

Video Card: GF 7900GT $305.99 $305.99
Motherboard: Intel 975X ATX $239.99 $239.99
Processor: E6600 $465.99 $465.99
RAM: 2x OCZ 1024MB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz $119.99 $239.98
PS: Enermax 535-Watt $113.99 $113.99
Screen: SAMSUNG 740BF $215.99 $215.99


Also, I'm considering getting the ATI FireGL V3400 instead of the 7900GT.