Need Help!- new machine for cad/cam software

[Arbo]

My old desktop I ran stuff on was nice and fast. But for about a million reason I don't want to get into, I want to get something new and 'better' for the 3d modeling/CAD stuff.

Been a while since I paid ANY attention to processors and new technology with computers.

Currently my system is a dual xeon processor, I think 3.2 ghz. Only 2g ram. nvidia quadro fx3000 agp x8 video card.

It handles stuff that chokes other machines I have had.

Just just looking to find out what is out there that would better, with all the new multi-core processors and such.

Paul

[ger21]

Core i7 2600K is the best bang for the buck, and supposedly overclocks like crazy if you want.
The only thing faster are the 6 core i7's, which are 2-3x more money.

[Arbo]

that cpu stuff has me confused. There are a lot of i7's. is there a difference between 2600, 2600k and 2600s (i think those are the ones I saw).

Thanks for the info.

[amishx64]

Originally Posted by Arbo that cpu stuff has me confused. There are a lot of i7's. is there a difference between 2600, 2600k and 2600s (i think those are the ones I saw). Thanks for the info.

The K indicates the ability for you to overclock the CPU. If you don't know what that is then I can promise that you won't use it. It is can be quite a bit of work to achieve.

[Arbo]

Yeah, I know what overclocking is.

Seems kind of insane for most things people do. Not for me I guess.

Hmm, looks like a new machine is actually gonna cost quite a bit.

[osphoto]

As you start down the path of processors, keep in mind your video card, "Quadro", THAT is something that you want to keep in comparison.

You can upgrade processors all day, i5 to i7 but, it's your video card that will come into play for the CAD. I'm thinking you are already aware based on you video card.

I've got quad core cpu's but my video card is great for gaming, not so much in CAD. It works, but I have my moments of pain in rendering drawings.

I'm about to upgrade to an i7 DELL XPS of about two years of age (waiting on the GF to get her MAC).

If you got the money go all out, if you want to be frugal, I'd say i5 and put extra bucks into a QUADRO card upgrade! Which is something I'll be looking at once I get on the i7 machine.

[Arbo]

yeah, I managed to find the card on ebay for a heck of a deal, it made a HUGE difference.

Some of the huge files I have had before that choked the machine ran without issue. Was amazing. I'd just about like to keep it, but it is AGP 8, and it seems there are not many ' new ' motherboards that support agp anymore.

[Arbo]

doing a bit more research, my current system has 2 physical xeon 3.2 ghz processors... both single core.

So even the i5 at 3.3ghz with 4 cores would be 'quicker' ... considering even the memory speed would probably be faster. yeah the current system has 4 512meg, 32bit dimm 266mhz 'chips' ...