AutoCAD LT 2005 - real world system requirements

Please suggest what one would realistically need to run this
effectively. I understand that the box says a PIII 800mhz with 256 MB of
memory, but how well will this actually run. Is a video card helpful, if
so how much horsepower should one be looking for.

Thanks in advance.

Pete

 

You'll get better input if you can supply more info on how you'll be using
LT. I assume you won't be working with 3D (which help lowers requirements).
Will you be using any raster images? What size projects will you be working
on? The larger the file size the more impact it'll have on the system
(though there's certainly work-arounds to file size issues, they may not be
ideal).

HTH,

Michael (LS)

 

Michael,

Thanks for the reply. I don't anticipate working with 3D. Its primary
use is intended for drawing up floor plans and prints for construction
contractors. I wish I could be more detailed, but I'm just getting my
feet wet with this and am not even sure if this will do what I want.

Pete

 

Video card is a must, 256mb sounds light to me.
I run 768mb but I use large files, and
do some 3d.
Pent III should do the trick.
Spend money on a good large monitor, and RAM.

 

Well, if you're just doing stuff like additions and remodels where the file
sizes are going to remain fairly small you really don't need much of a pc.
Hell, I run AutoCAD R14 on a PII450 with 1Gig ram and a 32MB video card and
it does acceptably well on jobs like this. The only problem it occasionally
runs into is longish (annoying but not really counterproductive) regen
times. A better video card would take care of this. My other station is
much newer and I use it any time I need to do 3d modeling or rendering. It
also handles projects with large CAD file sizes much better.

Most of the additions/remodels I do the file size is usually <1.5MB and the
old machine works fine (though it's also running older software so that
could have something to do with it).

I also do ~100 new homes a year and rarely do the file sizes get above 2MB.

In my experience if you're not doing 3D or large commercial projects file
sizes will be manageable. I did a restaurant two years ago and (without
using xrefs) the file sizes were 1.8MB, 1.2MB & 3.3MB for the architectural
drawings. Kitchen equipment supplier, Mechanical, & Structural files were
all ~2MB. I did this entire project on my old machine and there were no
problems.

BTW, just to clarify, LT does not have 3D features built in, though there
are add-on programs that will allow/facilitate 3D in LT. Whether or not you
want 3D ability is really up to you. I have Architectural Desktop and 3D
Viz (3D rendering program) but only use it ~4 times a year (and I do ~150
projects/year). It certainly can be a great tool, but by no means
necessary.

Here's what I'd consider minimum specs for a CAD station (not doing 3D):
Processor - Pretty much any currently available one will do.
Ram - More is better, and it's pretty cheap. I'd start with 1Gig WITH room
to expand later.
Video Card - While you can do it with a 56MB card you're better off getting
a 128MB card (or even a 258MB) especially considering there's not a whole
lot of extra cost.
Monitor - Bigger is MUCH better. 19" is the absolute minimum I'd consider
and IMO it's well worth the extra money to step up to a 21"+. CRT vs LCD?
I've always loved CRTs and won't consider an LCD but maybe that's just me.
Printer - An 11"x17" printer is a must (I have an HP DeskJet 1220c) not only
for check prints but also for finals of small jobs. I put every job I can
onto 11x17 because builders love the manageable size and it's easy to make a
bunch of copies on a business copier (I have an 11x17 high-speed copier and
it's great to be able to give clients as many sets as they need). My first
couple years in business I didn't have the copier and it was always a pain
to have to print a bunch of sets (and it's more expensive than my copier's
cost per copy).
Plotter - I couldn't run my business today without it. They're not cheap
but if you're doing projects on sheets larger than 11x17 than you'll really
want one. When just starting out you might not be able to invest in one
right away so get familiar with your other "oversize printing" options (i.e.
Kinko's = expensive but convient when in a crunch, Reprographics Company =
inexpensive but sometimes a hassle, especially if you only need a few sheets
printed).
Other Items - Blueprint/Engineering copier, fax machine, etc. Whether or
not you need/want these would depend upon your business.

HTH,

Michael (LS)