CAD Hardware

Hi, I am currently looking for a new CAD computer system, I have looked at various different options and am curently looking at a set up from "Novatech.com", based on conversations with a few different people. I am slightly unsure whether this is the best system for my needs so I was wondering if anyone has any comments on the choice of specification, particularly of the graphics card and the motherboard. Also if anyone has a suggestion for a superior setup (for the price). I am looking to spend around =A31500 max, the main software packages that I use are solidworks, 3ds max and photoshop and essentially want a quick rendering time and the ability to run 2 or 3 of these at once.

The setup up is as follows

Dell Ultrasharp 2407WFP-HC 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Midnight Grey Overclockers - =A3375.99

Barebones Bundle Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2048MB 800Mhz DDR2 Heatsink And Fan nVidia 680I SLI Motherboard novatech - =A3433.57

800MHz 240Pin 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 RAM DIMM 1.8V novatech 2x=A317.63 - =A335.26

Samsung Spin Point SATAII NCQ 500GB 16Mb Cache Hard Disk Drive

Reply to
jonfreemanuk
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I would spend a little more on a graphics card and upgrade to a quadro series.I'm using a 570 quadro that cost me $240.Works great!

Reply to
john.waxler

I would spend a little more on a graphics card and upgrade to a quadro series.I'm using a 570 quadro that cost me $240.Works great!

Is XP pro more desirable than Home Edition in the case of a CAD system?

Bob

Reply to
sycochkn

If you are working on a network with a domain then XP pro is required.

Jocko

Reply to
JockoBailey

Here's a list of stuff that Pro has and home doesn't..

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Reply to
tnik

I believe some CAD systems require XP Pro to run - possibly because their license manager software needs it. It might be a false economy to buy "Home" in case you ever need to run one of these. For the extra few quid, it's also worth having the more flexible file security options.

John H

Reply to
John H

Great, thanks for the coments. I think I'll go for XP pro. That graphics card is a top of the range NVIDIA, is the one suggested much better? Also, I have been comparing the monitor to some similar models but am not sure what should be looking for, as all I have to go on is numbers. Can anyone help? for instance what does the contrast ratio "3000:1" mean, and the number "6ms"

cheers

Jonny

Reply to
jonfreemanuk

It depends. Quadro cards sell for more than the gamer cards because they can get away with it. They claim that there are significant differences in performance and there may be. The main problem people have seen in the past with the gamer boards is when you have a lot of windows open in SW and your system slows to a crawl. If you tend to work with only a couple of windows open, you may never see a problem. If you have any SolidWorks issues, your VAR is quite likely to claim that they are really video card problems if you don't have a certified card. He may actually be right.

A contrast ratio of 3000:1 is probably marketing BS. The 6 ms is the time it takes to switch from either black to white or dark gray to light gray, depending on how they define it. If the switching time is too slow, then you will see artifacts. The Dell is a really nice display, so I wouldn't worry about either of them. The only way to really compare monitors is to set them up side by side with the same images. Doing it by the numbers probably won't work very well, since marketing people are known to be a little loose with the truth.

Jerry Steiger

Reply to
Jerry Steiger

That probably means it is one of the newer designs.

Reply to
sycochkn

There is more than one way to measure these things.

Bob

Reply to
sycochkn

one point to this effect. you must have XP PRO to activate SWx software. I can install it and run it but there is something in the PRO version that allows activation. i have tried this on home, home media version, ... i can only run it for the 30 day eval on home or home media edition. iQ

Reply to
iQ

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