New PC between $800-$1,000

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My brother is looking to build 2 new pcs for work. This will be used to do some autocad work. I am looking at a Intel cpu, 2 gig ram, 512mb video and 500 gig SATA drive. What specs would you guys go with? As far as graphics, FireGL or QuadroFX is not an option. Those things cost waay too much.

CPU - Dual or Quad?
Memory - 2 gig
Video - 512MB ATI or Nividia based? (LCD monitors are a 21" WS and a 24" WS)
HDD - 500 gig SATA 3.0
Optical - 20X
PS - 500-550
Case - Already got 2 cases (CoolerMaster Mystique)
 
I'd drop the Quad for an E2xxx series chip ($75 or so) and spend the extra cash on a higher end GPU. You can always put one of the upcoming 45nm quads in it in 4-8 months for less than the Q6600, and it'll be faster over all and run cooler to boot.

Seriously consider another 2GB of RAM. CAD work can eat it up quick, and it's cheap right now.
 
That's true. I read some CAD programs recommend 2gigs RAM or more. If there is a need for alot of RAM, CAD would be one of them.


silent-circuit said:
I'd drop the Quad for an E2xxx series chip ($75 or so) and spend the extra cash on a higher end GPU. You can always put one of the upcoming 45nm quads in it in 4-8 months for less than the Q6600, and it'll be faster over all and run cooler to boot.

Seriously consider another 2GB of RAM. CAD work can eat it up quick, and it's cheap right now.
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silent-circuit said:
I'd drop the Quad for an E2xxx series chip ($75 or so) and spend the extra cash on a higher end GPU. You can always put one of the upcoming 45nm quads in it in 4-8 months for less than the Q6600, and it'll be faster over all and run cooler to boot.

Seriously consider another 2GB of RAM. CAD work can eat it up quick, and it's cheap right now.
Click to expand...

Yeah - but even if he gets an E21**, he still won't be able to get a CAD GPU. I can see, though, how you could get an E21** and wait for the newer CPUs.
 
Koko56 said:
Yeah - but even if he gets an E21**, he still won't be able to get a CAD GPU. I can see, though, how you could get an E21** and wait for the newer CPUs.
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There's absolutely no way to get a CAD GPU with his budget. A nice one alone is /more than/ his budget.
 
... which is why I suggested softmodding a Radeon. The GPU is the same for both Radeons and FireGLs.
 
So a Radeon is similar in GPU to the FireGL? The Geforce cards are different from their Quadro FX line? How do you soft mod a Radeon?

Thanks


enginurd said:
... which is why I suggested softmodding a Radeon. The GPU is the same for both Radeons and FireGLs.
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You just need to find some hacked drivers that work well for whichever card you get. Google for "softmod radeon" and you'll see examples. You'll get more detailed info if you search a specific GPU or card.
 
silent-circuit said:
There's absolutely no way to get a CAD GPU with his budget. A nice one alone is /more than/ his budget.
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It's just that you said that he might get a better GPU instead, so I thought you may've bene referring to a CAD GPU... can you flash almost all GPu to be better in CAD? Or does it just work with Radeons?
 
Koko56 said:
It's just that you said that he might get a better GPU instead, so I thought you may've bene referring to a CAD GPU... can you flash almost all GPu to be better in CAD? Or does it just work with Radeons?
Click to expand...

You could softmod the older Geforce cards, but the 8800 series (and I believe the 7800/7900 series) are not softmoddable in so far as I know.
 
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