Engineering Software?

[The_YongGrand]

Currently I'm taking engineering course in my university and the courses require Autocad, some visual C++ and also tons of other design software.

I know my Sempron 2500+ rig in my room is just not sufficient for all these, so maybe I have to push it up a little bit more to accomodate the requirements of these software.

I can do an upgrade there - I just need a very simple Pentium D for these - is it okay if I buy a 865 motherboard and a Pentium D 820? I honestly don't do any gaming there, but must I keep my Geforce FX 5200 or change it if I do Autocad?

Or I must just go ahead and pick the Core 2 Duo? I know it's a little bit expensive - I'm saving some more money for purchasing a cheap laptop too.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Autocad & other design software just love ram, and will benefit greatly from a dual core processor.

A 865p would be a good choice. Dont upgrade the videocard yet, first see how it goes, I had CAD running on a old X300 just fine.

[The_YongGrand]

I see. I have 2 sticks of RAM here, and it's still a DDR400 that totals up to 512MB. I know it's not enough and DDR400 is already so old school, so maybe i'll sell them off and get myself a 1GB DDR533 stick, a cheap X2 or a cheaper Pentium D 805 or 820.

For the time being, I couldn't afford a P5B eventhough it's really rock solid. Is it okay if I purchase a Foxconn instead?

And the PSU too - is Acbel okay? I don't need much power here.

[rspassey]

What are you current specs and the budget you would like to work with?

[Mr.Ferrari]

Originally Posted by The_YongGrand I see. I have 2 sticks of RAM here, and it's still a DDR400 that totals up to 512MB. I know it's not enough and DDR400 is already so old school, so maybe i'll sell them off and get myself a 1GB DDR533 stick, a cheap X2 or a cheaper Pentium D 805 or 820. For the time being, I couldn't afford a P5B eventhough it's really rock solid. Is it okay if I purchase a Foxconn instead? And the PSU too - is Acbel okay? I don't need much power here.

P5L-MX would be a good choice. ~$70. And yes put 1gb of ram as a priority for this. Pair that up with a 805 or 915.

Acbel Polycom is good.

[glc]

Your Sempron has plenty of guts to run Autocad - just put at LEAST 1 gig of ram in it and use a video card of some sort. A FX5200 should be fine. I have customers running Autocad fine on 2 GHz P4's with ATI 9200SE cards - with a gig of ram. The only issue I would have is whether Autocad is stable on AMD these days - I know it was NOT a few years ago.

It will run very well on the computer in your sig.

[StykFacE]

Originally Posted by glc Your Sempron has plenty of guts to run Autocad - just put at LEAST 1 gig of ram in it and use a video card of some sort. A FX5200 should be fine. I have customers running Autocad fine on 2 GHz P4's with ATI 9200SE cards - with a gig of ram. The only issue I would have is whether Autocad is stable on AMD these days - I know it was NOT a few years ago. It will run very well on the computer in your sig.

I'm an AutoCAD Engineer and yes, those specs will run it nicely UNLESS you start talking 3D.

YoungGrand, if you're going for a general engineering degree then you're going to be doing Pro/E, AutoCAD, and Inventor... load up on the fastest and most RAM your money can buy. go to Autodesk.com's website for info on a video card. most "normal" gaming cards use a miniGL driver, not the full blown package which can hold ya back a little depending on how large your 3D assemblies will be. don't worry about the Pentium D - that will come in handy for large renderings + continuing work, but not general workflow - stick with a Core2Duo.

no 3D work? you're computer is just fine as is with the exception of RAM upgrade. 2GB preferred.

[glc]

For 3D cad work, we recommend ATI FireGL or Nvidia Quadro cards - and yes, 2gb or more of ram.

[The_YongGrand]

I'm just having a few semesters in my engineering course that is computer-related, one is the programming (I know my old K6-2 even can handle that!) and all those design software.

My current rig in my dorm room is only Sempron 2500+, and maybe I'll be pushing it with lotsa RAM, but the problem is, DDR400 is getting rare and expensive. Let me try to find when the prices are low.

Of course, the main home computer in my sig is very sufficient for all that. But I'm staying near the university now, so that computer there is accessible for my homework.

I'm not sure whether my engineering course's Autocad design subject covers 3D as well. I have to ask the guys there for more info.

[StykFacE]

oh trust me, it will. even a rinky-dink 2 year degree covers a little bit of 3D. you almost have to now-a-days.... that's where the entire engineering/architectual world is going - 3D only.

[StykFacE]

Originally Posted by glc For 3D cad work, we recommend ATI FireGL or Nvidia Quadro cards - and yes, 2gb or more of ram.

yeah you know your stuff... those Quadro's and FireGL's are definitely nice. there's a guy up here at work that has the.... i think it's the Quadro 660?? something like that... but anyways, he runs four monitors for AutoCAD, Autodesk Building Systems, and VBA Programming... all at once lol, what a nerd. haha