Recommendations for CAD modeling high end comp.

[Jake]

I want to build a computer to do three and four dimensional CAD Modeling for prototypes for scramjets and nuclear powered spacecraft. I prefer to spend $2K (just the box; never mind the monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc.) but am willing to go as high as $3k if there's something particular that could benefit my purpose. I'll wait until November so I can get the DX11 GTX 300 graphics card. Any suggestions?

 

[philbar71]

Newegg.com - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Trident 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL6T-6GBTD - Desktop Memory get 2 of these

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Newegg.com - PNY VCQFX3800-PCIE-PB Quadro FX3800 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Supported Workstation Video Card - Workstation Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

that's the core, just pick a case of choice and windows 7 for OS (when it comes out, vista for now)

edit: also that quatro will be fine for the next few years, the DX11 cards will take a while to get to the pro market and will most likely be extremely expensive.

 

[Nubbleet]

Maybe get an ssd too. I say 60gb ocz vertex. On my phone so can't link you.

 

[Jake]

edit: also that quatro will be fine for the next few years, the DX11 cards will take a while to get to the pro market and will most likely be extremely expensive.

Newegg.ca - PNY VCQFX3800-PCIE-PB Quadro FX3800 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Supported Workstation Video Card - Workstation Graphics / Video Cards

The reviews for that card both say they had problems with the dual display ports...That's unfortunate since the ATI models don't appear to support dual displays, and in Canada the next one up is the 4GB $3K card which is out of my range. (But if I could afford that, would the setup you posted need any changes?)

 

[philbar71]

dont listen to newegg reviewers. they probly bought the card to game on. the fx 3800 is essentally a GTX 260 core 192 with a 256bit bus and 1GB of ram. that will be a great card for cad, for a good while too.

and no you would not need to change any thing if you could afford the fx 5800

 

[meat_helmet]

Or you can look into getting a gaming card and modding it to a FX, or FirePro. I have heard mixed results but apparently it works properly for HD4870s. It basically requires modding the drivers and installing them, no actual physical mods. I think ATI cards have better luck with this, but look around for it if your interested.

Otherwise philbars build is quite good.

 

[Jake]

A gaming card would just distract me from my work...although meat helmet if you've gone more bang for buck by modifying gaming cards for CAD then I'd consider that...

I'd just like to verify about the case- I've never built a computer before, so I know nothing about cases- Philbar didn't indicate that it would matter much, but I want to make sure everything's going to fit- would this one work?

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Newegg.ca - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

 

[UA_Iron]

What CAD programs are you using?

 

[Jake]

None yet. I've just been studying physics and engineering with my Core 2 duo laptop, and I'm now at the point where I want to build things. I'll probably start out with FreeCAD, Then I'll move on to what seems to be the industry standard for this sort of thing, Autodesk Inventor, but I'd also like to experiment with Siemens NX, CATIA, and Solidworks before deciding to buy any software.

 

[philbar71]

A gaming card would just distract me from my work...although meat helmet if you've gone more bang for buck by modifying gaming cards for CAD then I'd consider that...

I'd just like to verify about the case- I've never built a computer before, so I know nothing about cases- Philbar didn't indicate that it would matter much, but I want to make sure everything's going to fit- would this one work?

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Newegg.ca - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

yes, that case would work fine. it's one of my favorite cases

and as far as modding a gaming card to a workstation card, i dont know about the ati cards, but for nvidia it's pretty much impossible to get proper results.