Graphics Cards/Computers for Engineering Students

[Purple Lives Matter]

So this fall, I will be attending the University of Alberta to study engineering.

 

Some of the programs I'll be using include:

• Autocad
• Wolfpack
• Mathematica
• ABAQUS
• VMGSim
• MS Visio
• Solidworks (CAD Package)
• ANSYS
• MathCAD

 

Needless to say, I'll need a new computer.

They sent out an email notifying future students the general specifications that will be required for computers. This link has the details.

However, they don't specify what "CAD" GPU's are the minimum, only that it will be required. Knowing this, I knew double precision compute would be very important.

 

So I was thinking of getting a Lenovo P71 workstation laptop.

Specs:

• i7-7700HQ
• Win10 Pro
• 17.3" IPS UHD 4K
• 32GB DDR4
• Nvidia Quadro P3000

The price is in the 3000+ Range and I plan on using it for at least 4-5 years through all my studies.

 

Then I did some additional research into the double precision compute of the Quadros. From what I can tell, they are identical to the Geforce counterparts (even slightly lower because of the reduces clockspeeds) at 1/32 FP32.

 

So what gives? Can a Geforce card be used effectively instead? If that is the case, I can use my current Asus G750 with a GTX 870m. If not, should I build a Ryzen Threadripper-based desktop with a Geforce card to handle heavy compute simulations and modelling? This option has the benefit of serving as a dual purpose workstation for studies and a gaming rig for relaxation in free time. Anyways, I have 2 months to decide but I need input from more informed people who know more about hardware than me (and I do know quite a bit) when it comes to professional applications.

 

P.S.

This might be a great video for Linus to do on techquickie or LTT about what different types of students should be looking for in a computer depending on their profession.

Edited June 12, 2017 by Purple Lives Matter

[The Sloth]

1 minute ago, Purple Lives Matter said:

University of Alberta to study engineering

congrats, which engineering? 

 

2 minutes ago, Purple Lives Matter said:

The price in in the 3000+ Range and I plan on using it for at least 4-5 years through all my studies.

 

how about a laptop+ desktop? 

[Purple Lives Matter]

Just now, nerdslayer1 said:

congrats, which engineering? 

Thanks. First-year engineering is standard and all students go through that first. I haven't completely decided yet. I'm torn between Civil/Environmental, Chemical/Materials, and Mechanical Engineering.

2 minutes ago, nerdslayer1 said:

how about a laptop+ desktop?

I was planning that. If my G750 with the 870M Suffices, then i would focus more funds into a desktop. I'd need to know though if a Geforce or Quadro should be used.

[The Sloth]

3 minutes ago, Purple Lives Matter said:

Mechanical Engineering.

come to the dark side, mech engineering is really fun long as you manage your time right. the market is really tough, remember to make connections, networking is key. 

 

3 minutes ago, Purple Lives Matter said:

I was planning that. If my G750 with the 870M Suffices, then i would focus more funds into a desktop. I'd need to know though if a Geforce or Quadro should be used.

GeForce, should be better for your needs, Quadros are not worth it. a ryzen 1700+ 32gb ram with a gtx 1080 or 1070 should be more than enough for your needs. 

[ARikozuM]

With CAD you want more VRAM versus a stronger chip. 

 

Nerdslayer's got it covered, it seems. Good luck!

[The Sloth]

1 minute ago, ARikozuM said:

With CAD you want more VRAM versus a stronger chip. 

not very cut and dry, it will depend on what OP does. 

[ARikozuM]

Just now, nerdslayer1 said:

not very cut and dry, it will depend on what OP does. 

Saw your post and am deciding to let you handle it since you've got first-hand experience like I do. 

[Purple Lives Matter]

12 hours ago, nerdslayer1 said:

GeForce, should be better for your needs, Quadros are not worth it. a ryzen 1700+ 32gb ram with a gtx 1080 or 1070 should be more than enough for your needs. 

 

12 hours ago, ARikozuM said:

With CAD you want more VRAM versus a stronger chip. 

 

Nerdslayer's got it covered, it seems. Good luck!

In that case, a GTX 870M with 3GB of VRAM probably won't be able to handle anything too heavy am I right? I'm going to assume that there won't be too much heavy work in lectures, most assignments will probably be out of class and in Lab sessions. I'll reserve the heavy stuff for when I pull all nighters.

 

Since this is going to be a 4+ year investment in my education, I'm leaning towards a 10-core threadripper, with 32GB of ram and a GTX 1080.

 

This also means that my G750 laptop is going to have to be replaced something for lighter mobile compute. My SurfaceBook definitely won't be able to handle it even with its dGPU.

 

I'll do more digging around and budgeting. Thanks for the input!

[The Sloth]

Just now, Purple Lives Matter said:

In that case, a GTX 870M with 3GB of VRAM probably won't be able to handle anything too heavy am I right?

incorrect, it will be more than enough for first year engineering, your main job will be lots of mathematics related assignments.  

 

Just now, Purple Lives Matter said:

Since this is going to be a 4+ year investment in my education, I'm leaning towards a 10-core threadripper, with 32GB of ram and a GTX 1080.

 

yes, that will be a good bet

 

1 minute ago, Purple Lives Matter said:

This also means that my G750 laptop is going to have to be replaced sometime for lighter mobile compute. My SurfaceBook definitely won't be able to handle it even with its dGPU.

 

your laptop is fine for mobile tasks, a surface book is also fine for designing simple things, it will struggle when you open files or have very large and complex.