New Build for CAD/Video Editing workloads (USA/TX)

[Kobathor]

Hello I've had plenty of experience with gaming PCs, but a friend has asked me for help with a CAD and video editing desktop. This isn't exactly in my skillset, so my first thought was the forum!

 

Below is what I've pieced together so far. My friend would like to keep the budget below $850 USD but he's said up to $1,000 is possible if necessary—yes, I know that complicates it. They would like it to be a regular size (in relation to a Define Meshify C). Mouse, board and monitor are needed. The parts below can be bought at my local Micro Center (Dallas store), though that is not essential.

 

Again, I'm not well versed in CAD requirements, and I don't know which specific program they use. I would have added a graphics card and such, but I don't know which are proper. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to relay them. If this post does not meet posting requirements, I can make changes.

 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/s2bNfH  CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($309.99 @ Amazon)  Motherboard: ASRock B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($59.99 @ Newegg)  Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory  ($81.99 @ Amazon)  Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($79.98 @ Amazon)  Total: $531.95 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-29 12:04 EST-0500

[Jurrunio]

13 minutes ago, Kobathor said:

which specific program they use

this is crucial

[AndrewB121]

Ask exactly what programs they use, then you'll get a proper answer. 

[Bombastinator]

CAD software was in the past often very low workload.  That may have changed.  It will depend on what software they are using.  It’s kind of important.

 

if it is, CPU may actually be overkill.  Number of threads is important too.  It may actually be written multitask, in which case all those extra AMD threads are useless.  CAD software also sometimes used to require “pro” cards.  This may have changed too.

 

I would say you really need to find out the software and version and base it on that. Look up what people are using to run that particular software.  There may be weird limitations.
 

What CAD work really likes real-time movement and big juicy monitors.  Super high refresh rates weren’t critical generally.  Sometimes multi monitor depending on software support.  Often monitors of very unequal capacity.  One for pallets and tools, the other for the work.  That will be an issue of personal taste for the user though.  The GPU requirements could vary wildly.  Some software may not even work at all on some GPUs. 

[Kobathor]

18 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

CAD software was in the past often very low workload.  That may have changed.  It will depend on what software they are using.  It’s kind of important.

 

if it is, CPU may actually be overkill.  Number of threads is important too.  It may actually be written multitask, in which case all those extra AMD threads are useless.  CAD software also sometimes used to require “pro” cards.  This may have changed too.

 

My father uses Autodesk, which used to require "pro" cards, but I don't modern versions do.

 

I'll try to find out the software.

[Bombastinator]

Video editing software too.  

It’s less bizarre.  It generally does like lots of threads and big Nvidia GPUs because Nvidia has some special “studio” stuff out for their cards.

 

you need to balance the two and they may have very different needs.  Or not.

[Kobathor]

20 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

Video editing software too.  

It’s less bizarre.  It generally does like lots of threads and big Nvidia GPUs because Nvidia has some special “studio” stuff out for their cards.

 

you need to balance the two and they may have very different needs.  Or not.

I thought they may like CUDA for video editing, but I'm not sure if and CAD programs utilize CUDA acceleration. Still waiting for an answer on the CAD program, sorry.

[berberries]

You need to know what software he uses. Some software favours a more powerful cpu, some a more powerful GPU. Some may want CUDA, so NVIDIA only.

[Bombastinator]

10 minutes ago, Kobathor said:

I thought they may like CUDA for video editing, but I'm not sure if and CAD programs utilize CUDA acceleration. Still waiting for an answer on the CAD program, sorry.

Architects are artists and artists get very attached to their media.  Used prices for cameras skyrocket when cameras go out of production because artist rely on a tool working the way they are used to.  As a result not only is the software important the version is. It may not be the latest release and that may be done on purpose.