Work Computer setup

[WrxSTiJoe]

Hi everyone,

 

So I just started a new job and my boss ordered me a computer from DELL and the specs are:

 

Windows 7 Professional

Processor: Intel® Xeon® CPU X5660 @2.80Hz 2.79 GHz

Installed Memory (RAM): 8.00 GB

system type: 64-bit Operating system

 

nividia quadro 6000 (not sure how to find more spec for graphic card)

 

questions are:

 

Is the 8.00GB memory (RAM) good enough?

 

Is this set up good to work with AutoCad, revit, 3ds Max and vray?

 

I will be working with extremely high detail residential work and high detail 3D modeling and would like the fastest rendering time possible with a stand alone workstation.

 

If you guys could help me understand what i have and what i could tell them to change if this isn't sufficient for my work. money should not be an issue.

 

thanks

-Joe-

[matthewspencer]

"extremely high detail" is very subjective...to some that means a CAD assembly with 25 parts, to others that means a 2-billion poly VFX scene. Could you clarify a bit what the projects are like?

 

That is a very capable computer except for the laughable RAM. If money really isn't an object, then just max out the RAM. Either way try to have a minimum of 16gb, there's no reason not to.

 

Note that more RAM will likely not increase your render times. It will only make it easier and smoother when editing/manipulating 3D files.

[WrxSTiJoe]

would have to model and render drawings like this.

high detail interiors and exteriors.

OK i guess i would need to up the RAM.

any other thoughts?

[matthewspencer]

Otherwise the computer is more than capable. Make sure any RAM you get is compatible with the motherboard.

[Dimitris Tolios]

The PC is unbalanced...the CPU is too slow, the GPU is too expensive.

For viewport acceleration a Quadro K4000 or equiv. Firepro W7000 would be more than enough, at 1/5 the cost (or less).

To see the specs for the GPU, you just "google" it...1-2 links down the list will be either wiki or nvidia's own site and...tadaaaaa.

 

8GB of Ram are not enough. At least for "extremely high detail", something that has nothing to do with the architecture per se. Organic shapes, like a couch set with a couple of armchairs, fabrics etc can be 2-3 times the poly count of a architectural interior mockup (as far as moldings, doors, walls etc).

 

Xeon's are usually pointless for CG artists unless you are going 2P (dual CPU) system.

Any current i7 Quad or Hex will beat this outdated Xeon in almost anything. That said, single family residential is hardly an issue. Computers older than that are used daily working on multi-family, schools and hospitals through Revit. It is the nature of the beast (Revit) to be slow with large projects, but I've been working on small projects on my 1st gen i7 laptop (1.6GHz quad) with 12GB Ram just fine.

 

If your boss has the $$, and he should if he himself came up with the Quadro 6000 suggestion, and would like to go for an off-the-shelf solution instead of building it himself or custom ordering @ a shop, I would look towards a BOXX solution with a overclocked i7 Hex.

[Nic H]

its very bad value

slow old CPU (you generally have xeons in pairs)

average expensive GPU

not enough ram to load a large scene

 

this machine would have been good in 2002

[Fooch]

my tip joey, go to dimitri's site : http://pcfoo.com/

[thiyagu arjunan]

BOXX BOXX BOXX BOXX BOXX BOXX BOXX BOXX BOXX BOXX ;-))))

PCFoo.com // DIY PC Resource Site

gpu is xtradnry thna u r ful pc set(

[junglee]

Not a good mix.

But that is a typical mid range workstation from Dell that your boss would've spent some $$$.

And it should have no problem doing the project you are showing with that machine.