new computer specs?

It's time for a new workstation for running solidworks only. It will
be used to design medium to large assembly machines. Don't know yet
if it will be desktop or laptop but what would you buy right now?

XP or vista?
32 or 64 bit?
Intel or AMD?
HD configuration?
Xi, Dell, anybody else?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

XP without a doubt.
64 bit (more memory capable)
I prefer Intel, always seems to be less compatibility issues.
HD is personal, a raid array is good for backup protection.
Our HP workstations are pretty nice, although Dell makes a good one
too.

What you didn't mention:
nVidia video card, get the latest and greatest that meets your
budget. Make sure it's a CAD card and not a gaming card.
Memory - Get 4 gigs minimum.
Monitor - 24" widescreen LCD is the way to go. (30" if you can afford
it)

 

bob z. wants to remind everyone take everything you read on the
internet with a grain of salt.

bob z.
p.s. take this with a grain of salt, too:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...=6NT&q="amd+compatibility+issues"&btnG=Search

7 results.

 

XP not VISTA
Buy a 64 bit cpu but run in 32 bit mode

The jury is out right now on Intel vs AMD. If you can afford the
fastest AMD you will probably not go wrong. Intel is giving mixed
results on benchmarks that are inconsistent with what most reviews
say. SPECapc is not a good benchmark for this.

For a HD I use Western Digital Raptors. As fast as SCSI and a lot
cheaper.
Build your own if you know what you are doing. We just went through
problems with SW approved drivers on a name brand box.

TOP

 

One thing, if you do go for 64bit OS, make sure you can get printer drivers!

 

bobz - My preference on intel isn't from what I've read on the net,
just first hand results of working with many computers over the last
decade or two.

 

thats cool. no one can argue with your personal experience. its like
the old saying '...you don't know until you have walked a mile in
their shoes...' or however that goes or applies or whatever.

101% of the time, incompatibility issues are traced (when they are
traced) right up to big bad billy gates' house. 10-15 years ago, it
was always easier to blame the little guy and not intel or micro$oft.
remember cyrix? they made chips better than intel, also. they just
forgot to license the technology like AMD did. ah yes, the good ol'
days of fanless workhorses.

bob z.'s point can be summed up in a rather length analogy: we all
know ford can't build a good (and efficient!) vehicle. there are a
few people out there that like fords. they have even had really good
experiences with them. can we persuade these people that their
vehicles aren't any good? no! we didn't have the same personal
experiences. they think fords are good, we know they are not. no one
can win that argument.

bob z.
p.s. http://www.zpub.com/un/bill/
http://philip.greenspun.com/WealthClock

 

bob z.'s point can be summed up in a rather length analogy: we all

I'd like to restate that as "you can't win that argument with someone who
won't examine the experiences of a large number of people with opposite
experiences.

 

very nice way to put that. very nice. thank you, dale.

even though, bob z. is not sure if he should take that as a negative
thing or not...

:~)>

bob z.
p.s. too many adult beverages right now.