Dream Solidworks System?

Hello,

I have about $8k spend on a new computer to replace my old desktop at
work.
I plan on using it primarily as a Drafting computer in Solidworks, and
for data analysis in Matlab and development in LabWindows and LabView.

I have played with some dell configurations, such as the Dell Studio
XPS, and have come out with a monster (but not compared to some
workstations I have configured online) system.

My system is Intel Core i7-940 at 2.93 Ghz, 24 gig memory (1066 Mhz)
ATI Radeon HD 4850,
1.5 Tb RAID, dual 30'' HD Widescreen Monitors (I have to have my dual
monitor stup! )
Etc etc.


If any of you were to have $8-10k to spend on a system, what would it
be and whom would you recommend I purchase it from?

Thanks for your help.

Mike

 

What are you doing? Huge assemblies?

Why ATI? NVIDIA is the way to go.

TOP

 

8-10k.. nice..
decent setup you have spec'd but I would change a few things.

I would go with the i7 extreme since you have the money..

Also the ATI Radeon card is NOT for CAD. I would go with a nvidia Quadro
card or an ATI FireGL (actually I think they call them something else
now) workstation card. Easy way to know.. Workstation cards (CAD cards)
are built for OpenGL, Gamer cards are built for DirectX.

And just for information, with 24GB of RAM you will have to go with a
64bit operating system. So make sure all of your software will run with
it. I would suggest going with Windows7 RC instead of buying Vista,
unless you can get Vista with a Win7 upgrade.

I would look at Dell, HP, Lenovo, and XI computers. I priced a decent
system at each, and XI computers came in 5-600 cheaper. And I also
priced building my own and was able to spend the same as XI and get
more. for about 2,200 I got a case, asus 6T v2 mobo, core I7 extreme,
12gb ram, Nvidia Quadro 570, Windows Vista 64bit business, hdd, case
fans, etc.

Had to build it myself, but saved some money also.

 

Actually, that was the way to go a lil bit ago, but ATI has come a long
way.. Anna actually did a comparison, her write up is on her blog.

http://www.solidmuse.com/2009/05/ati-firepro-video-cards-a-second-look.html