New Computer Spec?

[Tom Cat]

I don’t know if anyone can help?
I want to buy / build a computer somewhere between Mid-range to High end, essentially to run AutoCAD for 2D and 3D on a daily basis, which I want to run very fast, even overcapacity. (For future upgrades)
It will also be used as a media PC as I play movies on PowerDVD through DVI-I to HDMI my Sony 42” LCD in my bedroom. So I want to ensure it can play HD content to its best ability with all the HDCP etc.
Ideally I would like to run two 20” LCD’s one for email / Excel and the other for CAD, but I have the second DVI slot taken for movie watching.
I don’t need large capacity hard drives as I tend to remove large finished projects to DVD, but want superfast access to CAD files.
I currently have C: Drive 150GB and D: Drive 75GB as a back up drive for my work, only half full.
When I look at business machines they have different processors than an equivalent home machine for movie watching etc, which is where I get confused.
I also share my computer on a home network that allows another computer to print to the printer attached to my machine. I want to ensure this “connection” has enough capacity to not slow my computer too much.
I don’t use my computer for gaming, but I still want it to work very fast and show the best picture and create the best sound it can for movies.
I don’t understand what parts of the computer I need to dedicate towards getting faster loading of CAD files, faster 3D renders and orbits.
Would any one like to write a spec for me?
I am only looking for a new base unit upgrade as I have Logitech Wave keyboard and an MX Revolution mouse.
32bit or 64 bit?
I can spend up to £800.
I currently use a Dell, but found out component parts have bits missing here and there and are not the same spec if you bought it from retail.
Regards
Tom Cat

 

[DirtyPolo]

I currently have C: Drive 150GB and D: Drive 75GB as a back up drive for my work, only half full.

Does this mean you are going to use the same HDDs?

Or do you require HDDs in the £800 budget?

What else can you salvage from your current PC?

IF you intend to do that.

such as PSU, case, etc.

You do not have to keep anything but obviously the more you do the more we can spend on other parts

 

[Tom Cat]

New Computer Spec?

Thanks for your reply.

My thought was to buy all new at near latest spec, as my current PC is over 3 yrs old. I was hoping to sell it to raise some cash towards the new machine.

The reason I added the HDD statement was when selecting a new Dell business computer the HDD options start off quite large and way over what I require.
My current usage is 45GB of a 150GB drive and 12GB of a 75GB drive. So I would rather spend the money on speed and not capacity. I do want to include 2x new HDD's in the price.

Yes sorry, by saying 'a new base unit upgrade' what I meant was a complete new base unit, as I have upgraded my monitor, keyboard & mouse to match my needs, so they are to be excluded from the spend.

Monitoring my software usage I tend to have AutoCAD, Outlook, Explorer, Internet Explorer, Acrobat and Excel running all the time, flicking back and forth quite often, so multi-threading / multi-tasking quite a bit. My email is full of large attachments on a daily basis, which I guess is slowing me up, but I need to have them available for reference.

I use my media centre remote to control movie watching and this is essential to shut down my computer from bed.

With such good discounts around at the moment I thought I'd try and get a good deal on a high spec machine, as I need to turn work around pretty quick.

I hope this gives a better understanding of my needs.

Thanks for your time!

Regards
Tom Cat

 

[Tootech]

I've just had a look at the requirements for Autocad 2009 - nothing special except this

OpenGL®- or Direct3D®-capable workstation class graphics card

The video card for CAD work is often quite important. It may be worthwhile having a chat to Tech Support to find out if they have specific cards that they know work well, or are certified cards for their products.

Are you thinking XP or Vista, 32 bit or 64 bit, bearing in mind your memory requirements may be a little more than the normal.

What version Autocad do you have?

And......how important is it for your PC to be quiet?

 

[DirtyPolo]

Sorry scott, you beat me too it I'll leave this up anyway unless you think otherwise?

Okay, I have looked around for a spec for your system,

This is what I propose:
(All Prices Have Been Rounded UP To Nearest £)


CPU:
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
- Scan.co.uk
- £145

Graphics Card:
- Sapphire HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDCP HDTV out
- Ebuyer.com
- £175

Hard Drives:
- 2 x Western Digital WD800AAJS 80GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 8MB Cache - OEM
- Ebuyer.com
- £33 x 2 = £66

RAM:
- OCZ 4GB (2X2gb) ddr2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 Platinum Memory CL5
- Ebuyer.co.uk
- £60

Mobo:
- Asus P5Q PRO P45 Socket 775 8 Channel Audio ATX Motherboard
- Ebuyer.com
- £108

PSU:
- OCZ Stealth XStream 600W PSU - SLI Ready ATX2.2 12cm Fan
- Ebuyer.com
- £56

Sound Card:
- Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Soundcard PCI-Express
- Ebuyer.com
- £44

Operating System:
- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32-Bit - SP1 OEM
- Ebuyer.com
- £89

Optical Drive:
- Sony DRU-V200S 20X DVD-RW DL & DVD-RAM Serial ATA - Retail Black & Silver Bezel & Nero
- Ebuyer.com
- £17

CPU Cooler: (I am not a big fan of stock coolers)
- Arctic Cooling AC-FRZ-7P Freezer 7 Pro Socket 775 Processor Cooler
- Ebuyer.com
- £17

Total: £669
Amount remaining: £131

I have left out a case as that is really a personal perferance thing as to what you like the look of etc. So I shall leave that for you to find. the only things you must stick to is that it should be a full size tower, that takes ATX motherboards.

As for your media remote issue, I do not know exactly how your current one works and so I am hoping to leave this spec open for anyone else including yourself to take a look and post your views and opinions.

 

[Dalo Harkin]

Sorry scott, you beat me too it I'll leave this up anyway unless you think otherwise?

Okay, I have looked around for a spec for your system,

This is what I propose:
(All Prices Have Been Rounded UP To Nearest £)


CPU:
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
- Scan.co.uk
- £145

Graphics Card:
- Sapphire HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDCP HDTV out
- Ebuyer.com
- £175

Hard Drives:
- 2 x Western Digital WD800AAJS 80GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 8MB Cache - OEM
- Ebuyer.com
- £33 x 2 = £66

RAM:
- OCZ 4GB (2X2gb) ddr2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 Platinum Memory CL5
- Ebuyer.co.uk
- £60

Mobo:
- Asus P5Q PRO P45 Socket 775 8 Channel Audio ATX Motherboard
- Ebuyer.com
- £108

PSU:
- OCZ Stealth XStream 600W PSU - SLI Ready ATX2.2 12cm Fan
- Ebuyer.com
- £56

Sound Card:
- Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Soundcard PCI-Express
- Ebuyer.com
- £44

Operating System:
- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32-Bit - SP1 OEM
- Ebuyer.com
- £89

Optical Drive:
- Sony DRU-V200S 20X DVD-RW DL & DVD-RAM Serial ATA - Retail Black & Silver Bezel & Nero
- Ebuyer.com
- £17

CPU Cooler: (I am not a big fan of stock coolers)
- Arctic Cooling AC-FRZ-7P Freezer 7 Pro Socket 775 Processor Cooler
- Ebuyer.com
- £17

Total: £669
Amount remaining: £131

I have left out a case as that is really a personal perferance thing as to what you like the look of etc. So I shall leave that for you to find. the only things you must stick to is that it should be a full size tower, that takes ATX motherboards.

As for your media remote issue, I do not know exactly how your current one works and so I am hoping to leave this spec open for anyone else including yourself to take a look and post your views and opinions.

Spot on -

You may want to consider the possibility of using the onboard sound, as I am guessing it wont be used that much in the first place.
Onboard is fine if you are not gaming.
In regards to the GPU - the 4870 is more than a match for CAD, trust me on that one

 

[Tom Cat]

OK guys thanks for your replies.
I will read and digest each component part over the weekend.

Regards
Tom Cat

 

[Tom Cat]

OK guys thanks for your replies.
I will read and digest each component part over the weekend.

Regards
Tom Cat

Well, not literally!

OK, I nearly bought this spec last night, as I do like the reviews I've read.
But before I do, could you recommend a higher level processor and motherboard I could have if I upgraded what I already have and if you think I could keep some of what I currently have.

My current system is an upgraded Dell Dimension 9150 which is nearly 3 years old:

-Dimension 9150 Viiv PD 940 processor Dual Core (3.20GHz, 800FSB, 2x2MB)
-4MB Dual Channel DDR2 667MHz (4x1GB) Memory (Crucial)
-NVIDIA GeForce 8600GTS 256MB
-Samsung 160GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
-HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 320GB 3.5" SATA Internal Hard Disk Drive (Just bought as system crashed)
-16x max. DVD+/-RW Drive
-Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme music card
-PSU 375w
-DELL 2007FPW Wide Screen TFT

It is now very slow and it cannot cope with the CAD drgs I produce now.

I am told an ATX Motherboard will fit in the case.


Any feedback would be appreciated.


Regards

Tom Cat