Jump to content

Best computer for CAD?

erty176
By erty176
in New Builds and Planning
 Share
Posted

I do a lot of work in Computer Aided Design software such as SolidWorks, I was planning on upgrading my system and wondered what you guys recommend to be used for this purpose, such as should I buy more ram (8gb),better video card(Amd radeon 6750), or what?

Does not having a second parenthesis around something bother anyone else as much as it does me? (Like if this statement was missing a second side)

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

4 core+ CPU hyper threading will help so maybe a 3770K. Maybe go with the 2011 socket if you have the money.

16GB RAM should be more than enough unless you are doing very large/complex models.

For a GPU I recommend getting a Nvidia Quadro GPU, it will work very well with Solidworks and AutoCAD(AMD Firepro GPUs are also supported for GPU acceleration). Just choose one that fits in your budget: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008333%20600044686&IsNodeId=1&name=NVIDIA

CPU: AMD 3950x Mobo: MSI B550 RAM: 32GB DDR4 GPU: Asus 3080 Strix PSU: Superflower Leadex 3 720w Case: BeQuiet 500DX

Storage: 2TB SSD + 4TB HDD Audio: SMSL 793ii -> HiFiman HE-400 + Mission MS-50 Speakers

 

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177139
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Ok thanks im looking at the new amd fx 8350 for a new cpu because the motherboard i have will handle up to 8 cores, are you sure that AMD GPU's dont support GPU acceleration?

Does not having a second parenthesis around something bother anyone else as much as it does me? (Like if this statement was missing a second side)

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177154
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

To my experience, gaming grade GPUs are bad at CAD, but then again, I've never used SolidWorks, so I don't know if it helps there. If you want a Pro grade GPU, you're quickly talking big cash for high end. GPU is important, but depending on your budget, I would probably go with some memory and CPU cores.

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177158
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Ok thanks im looking at the new amd fx 8350 for a new cpu because the motherboard i have will handle up to 8 cores, are you sure that AMD GPU's dont support GPU acceleration?

 

Yeah the Fx 8350 will work great, and after looking around online, looks like they have enable GPU acceleration with AMD GPUs, but only the Firepro workstation cards. 

CPU: AMD 3950x Mobo: MSI B550 RAM: 32GB DDR4 GPU: Asus 3080 Strix PSU: Superflower Leadex 3 720w Case: BeQuiet 500DX

Storage: 2TB SSD + 4TB HDD Audio: SMSL 793ii -> HiFiman HE-400 + Mission MS-50 Speakers

 

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177175
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Yeah the Fx 8350 will work great, and after looking around online, looks like they have enable GPU acceleration with AMD GPUs, but only the Firepro workstation cards. 

 

I know there used to be some hacks one could to with nVidia cards to lure the system into thinking it was a pro card, now, that particular one got shut down but, there might be others. There might be some hack for AMDs too...

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177183
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I know there used to be some hacks one could to with nVidia cards to lure the system into thinking it was a pro card, now, that particular one got shut down but, there might be others. There might be some hack for AMDs too...

Didn't you have to solder some connections on the PCB to do that? I would NOT feel comfortable doing that.

CPU: AMD 3950x Mobo: MSI B550 RAM: 32GB DDR4 GPU: Asus 3080 Strix PSU: Superflower Leadex 3 720w Case: BeQuiet 500DX

Storage: 2TB SSD + 4TB HDD Audio: SMSL 793ii -> HiFiman HE-400 + Mission MS-50 Speakers

 

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177232
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

To be honest, I'm not entirely certain. I would't be surprised it soldering was a part of the scheme, the guy who told me about it was the kind of a guy who would hard modify his stuff. But I would snoop around for some software hacks. 

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177262
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Budget is about 400 bucks so not enough to completely rebuild computer, but enough to upgrade about 2 parts. I'm using a TV and another monitor right now the monitor running at 1440 by 900 and the tv running at 1080p. For peripherials im currently using the mouse and keyboard that came with the computer, however they work very well and the keyboard is mechanical. I also use the computer for a little gaming on the side, but nothing to serious it is mainly my workstation. I am using CAD as a student.

Does not having a second parenthesis around something bother anyone else as much as it does me? (Like if this statement was missing a second side)

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177302
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I would drop some cash on one of these http://www.3dconnexion.com/products/spacenavigator.html I have one, and I recommend anyone who's doing a fair bid of CAD work to get one.

 

What will you be CADing? Huge and complex models, assemblies and such? Or will you be doing FEM and optimization on fewer parts at a time? Or will you maybe be doing surface modelling?

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177328
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Individual parts for right now but in the future hope to do more complex assemblies. The most complex one I've got so far is a truck without the underside components.

Does not having a second parenthesis around something bother anyone else as much as it does me? (Like if this statement was missing a second side)

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177479
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Individual parts for right now but in the future hope to do more complex assemblies. The most complex one I've got so far is a truck without the underside components.

 

Then you should be fine without a badass supported graphics card ;) If you get a good CPU and some ram, you could always add on a graphics card later if you get the money and/or if need it

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/15729-best-computer-for-cad/#findComment-177497
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing New Builds and Planning

×