New Computer Build For Cad

[Flameoute]

I am in the process of building a new computer for cad work only. I do not play (I have my flame proof suit on) any games what so ever; I will just use this as a dedicated computer for one program. The cad program that I use is Softplan. I am a Custom Home Designer that designs single family units. When using the 3d feature to generate these homes in 3d, I use two different types of 3d. One is Textured Mode that uses the graphic card. The other is in Rendered Mode which for some reason uses only the software and CPU so the speed of the CPU is important to me. I don't like this, but it is what it is.

I do not know how to overclock, so that is probably out of the question for me. This computer has to be absolutely stable for the start. I know that a lot of you prefer to overclock an I7 920 as opposed to the 960 that I have listed. Some day I may want to learn to overclock and would like a motherboard that would give me this option.

I really would like your opinions on this build. You guys that are into gaming know a whole lot more that most anyone else. Is this total overkill? Please keep in mind that I make my living with my computer, so if I need to spend a few more $$$ with in reason to gain a little performance, so be it. I would like to stay below $3500 if possible. I already have a Dell 3008WFP 30-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor.

The only requirements that the program requires for the video card are listed below.


What type of video card does SoftPlan require?

To fully exploit all of SoftPlan's enhanced SoftView modes (for example, sketched and illustrated modes) a video card capable of supporting a minimum of Open GL 2.0, DirectX version 9.0 and a minimum Shader Model Support Version 3.0. The more memory on the video card the better. The higher the number of pixel shaders, vertex shaders, or stream processors, depending on the card, the better the performance will be. Note the video card does not affect the performance of Rendering mode in SoftView but rather wire frame, visible line, shaded, sketched, illustrated and textured modes.
The following cards (chips) will NOT allow all of SoftView's features to be used (please note this is not a complete list):

Intel(R) 910GL, 945G, 945GM, 946GZ, Q943, Q965, G31, G33, Q35
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400, Geforce 4 MX 4000
The following cards (chips) will allow all of SoftView's features to be used (please note this is not a complete list):

Nvidia GeForce 260 GTX, 5600, 6200, 6600, 6800, 7900 GA, 7900 GS, 7950 GT, 8400
MG, 8600 GT, 8800 GT, ATI Mobility Radeon X1400, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650, Mobility Radeon 9000 IGP ATI Radeon X1300, X1550, HD2600 XT, ATI Raydeon 9250, ATI FIRE GL V3600.
It is advised that you keep the video drivers current; check the manufacturers site.
To keep your DirectX driver complete click here.




Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136322
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $199.99
1
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Item #: N82E16832116758
Return Policy: Software Return Policy $139.99
1
Rosewill RCR-IM5001 USB2.0 75 in 1 internal Card Reader w/ 3 ports USB2.0 Hub / eSATA port / Extra silver face plate
Item #: N82E16820223108
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$5.00 Instant $24.99
$19.99
1
COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835103055
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $15.00 Mail-in Rebate
$74.99
1
CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139007
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$30.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$279.99
$249.99
1
PNY VCQFX3800-PCIE-PB Quadro FX 3800 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Supported Workstation Video Card
Item #: N82E16814133271
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy $834.99
1
Scythe KM01-BK "KAZE MASTER" 5.25" Bay Fan Controller
Item #: N82E16811998038
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $36.49
1
Intel Core i7-960 Bloomfield 3.2GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model AT80601002727AA
Item #: N82E16819115216
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy $589.99
1
Rosewill RCR-FD400 74-in-1 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 Card Reader w/ Floppy Drive
Item #: N82E16820223111
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $34.99
1
Pioneer Black Blu-ray Disc/DVD/CD Writer SATA Model BDR-205BKS
Item #: N82E16827129051
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy $219.99
1
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D
Item #: N82E16820145224
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy -$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$239.99
$229.99
1
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
Item #: N82E16835100007
Return Policy: Consumable Item Standard Return Policy $9.99
1
Corsair P128 CMFSSD-128GBG2D 2.5" 128GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #: N82E16820233087
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy $375.00
1
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Blue RC-932-KKN3-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119213
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$20.00 Instant $169.99
$149.99
1
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131365
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy -$20.00 Instant $289.99
$269.99

 

[newton1812]

I'm sorry I hope this isnt considered spam, but i just have to say I had no idea cad could cost that much.

 

[joelm3103]

Seems like a decent build and looks stable to me, and the GFX card chosen will more than do the trick for what you're looking for. Stay around a bit more and may be you get some experienced reviews and may be some alternative parts to save you some cash but all in all, it's great.

I'm sorry I hope this isn't considered spam, but i just have to say I had no idea cad could cost that much.

Lol you're not spamming and yeah CAD programs would cost much as it needs a very stable system with high GFX capabilities to take full advantage of the software.

Edit: Oh and for the overclocking stuff, check out Slaymate's guide here http://www.techist.com/forums/f10/i7-overclocking-guide-224693/.

 

[aliasaid]

I'm not exactly an expert when it comes to this kind of stuff, but it would seem like the FirePro V8700 is better than the Quadro FX 3800 and they're similarly priced (check your software compatibility). Also, you may find some benefit in going with 12GB of memory. Since you already have an SSD, why are you getting a velociraptor? The SSD can be for OS and programs, and you can get a 1TB caviar black for regular storage. I don't think such expensive ram is necessary, you could go for cheaper stuff like the OCZ golds.

 

[Slaymate]

I also do Residential Design but I use AutoCAD and ArchT

Skip the Velociraptor and get this for Data Storage.
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

You said you don't know how to overclock but you may try it in the future and you selected the Cooler Master V8 as the cpu heatsink. The CM V8 is overpriced for it's cooling ability, get this instead.
Newegg.com - Noctua NH-U12P SE2 120mm SSO CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

The Corsair 1000w power supply is a great product, but it's more than you need even if you decide to buy a 2nd video card for SLI in the future. Get this instead.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

Generally speaking Nvidia Quadro workstation cards are usually better than ATI FireGL cards. But your not designing Skyscrapers so you probably don't reaaly need either type of card. I've been using a Nvidia GTX280 for a couple of years now. You should wait before deciding on your video card until Nvidia releases their new Fermi line of cards. If you just can't wait then I'll recommend this.
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1282-TR GeForce GTX 280 Superclocked 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

The Corsair Dominators are another overpriced item. These will perform very well with your new PC and save you some cash.
Newegg.com - OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Desktop Memory

Finally, Arctic Silver 5 is outdated, other companies have spent money on research and development. Go for this instead.
Newegg.com - Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Thermal Compound / Grease

Good Luck

 

[aliasaid]

i agree with slaymate on everything except the GTX280. If flameoute wanted to get a temporary card, wouldn't he just get a workstation card for around the same price? Doesn't make much sense to be getting a gaming card.

Something like this:

Newegg.com - PNY VCQFX1800-PCIE-PB Quadro FX 1800 768MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card - Workstation Graphics / Video Cards

unless of course the gtx 280 outperforms the fx 1800 in cad stuff, then in that case i stand corrected.

 

[Slaymate]

Workstation cards are never around the same price. The FX 1800 is just a glorified 9600 series card with an expensive pricetag.

 

[aliasaid]

Workstation cards are never around the same price. The FX 1800 is just a glorified 9600 series card with an expensive pricetag.

so would the gtx280 outperform the fx 1800 when it comes to what he wants to do with it?

 

[Slaymate]

I'll have to say yes. It will win thru shear power. The GTX260 is at the top of the Softplan compatibility list and it will outperform the FX1800 also.