Choosing a new computer for Max/CAD

[briantone]

Hi all,

I am in the market for a new personal computer and feel more comfortable posing my questions to this thread, since the big programs I'll be running on it will be 3dMax and AutoCAD.

I have no preference on laptop-vs-desktop, as portability is not a main concern. Of primary importance:

 

-reliability

-performance on Max on AutoCAD

-reasonable cost

 

I am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks for your help!

[tecton3d]

Hi all,

I am in the market for a new personal computer and feel more comfortable posing my questions to this thread, since the big programs I'll be running on it will be 3dMax and AutoCAD.

I have no preference on laptop-vs-desktop, as portability is not a main concern. Of primary importance:

-reliability

-performance on Max on AutoCAD

-reasonable cost

I am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks for your help!

 

since Acad isn't SMP enabled at this point, I'd go for a fast dual opteron system (a personal preference). You forgot to tell us your budget though : )

I'd much prefer a dual 256 (dual - 3.0ghz single core opteron) workstation system to a dual 265 (1.8ghz dual core) workstation system due to the fact that I am always modeling and have a small farm to offload most of the rendering work, which changes things for you if you don't. If this computer, as the title suggests, is for both then perhaps a middle ground dual core opteron system will suffice... a compromise between top end speed and the multi-core glory with which we have all come to love!

 

budget is the biggie... I've spec's dual 265 rendernodes for $1200 but that's with virtually no graphics card and very little HD, both of which you will need dearly if this is a dedicated workstation : )

for some raw components:

tyan k8we

dual 265-275's

3-4gb ram

vid card... well, that's a whole 'nother debate : )

hd's 1 - 74gb raptor for programs and os and scratch

and another big and fat and slow hd for storage

a quality psu of 600w+

a case that provides adequate cooling... will this be rackmount?

 

if you have an overall budget, throw it out there... it may be worth it to spend 2/3 of it on a workstation and the other 1/3rd on a dedicated renderslave... just food for thought : )

good luck : )