[nonogeek]

Hi guys,

This is my first entry on this site and as my name says, I'm no geek and these days, I wish I was married to one.

So here's my situation. I'm a freelancer who needs to start working on this expensive 3d CAD modelling software named SOLIDWORKS.
My budget is tight and mostly going all into the software and I could not really put more than 1K max 1,5K $

I did some research and found these bench marks results for different systems. (a 5 sheet xl file attached)
Myself, I can't really understand the differences between all these different PC configurations.
But I understand these things: 1st, all there systems are over-clocked, and 2nd, some 800$ seem to perform better than monster 5K$+ worksations.
So I told myself ''If these guys could get there own high speed workstation for less than 1.5K$ why not me ?

So this is where I need you guys; with all these valuable data I provide, could you help me build a good enough workstation.

thanks,

nonogeek

[Advertisements]

My attachment did not upload ??? How could I share it with you ?

[nonogeek]

My attachment did not upload ??? How could I share it with you ?

[iammykyl]

Hi nonogeek,

In your next post,
click reply > Next to the POST button, click, use full editor.
The full editor will open.
type in any text you want.
In the bottom left corner, click on, "click to attach files".
A search window will open.
Find and select the file you wish to upload.
Editor will change with information displayed just above "click to attach file"
To finish your post, click on ADD REPLY.

In which country will you be buying your hardware?

Edited by iammykyl, 26 March 2012 - 07:47 PM.

[nonogeek]

Ok, thank you very much for this quick reply

Here it is, in a zip format

 SW workstation BM - 1srt skim.xls.zip   67.34KB   127 downloads

I'm talking about Can $ or US $ (almost the same)

So I hope these 5 SHEETS bench marks stats will be useful, or at least interesting to you guys.

good luck

[iammykyl]

Good info. Please give a link to the site.

Looking to see if Solid Works would get better performance with a scratch file, that's if it can use one? Examples of builds for Photoshop. http://ppbm5.com/index.html

Is this build to earn you a living, Professionally? I ask as rendering times and accuracy of the output may be critical to you.

[nonogeek]

I got these bench mark data from this site.

http://www.solidmuse.com/

Yes, I will need good enough rendering quality, but rendering is only a small portion of the total usage.
I would spend 95% of my time 3d modelling or drafting and 5 % rendering.
Quality is important, but I can afford waiting some extra minutes or even take a break during rendering time.
Hope this answers your question.

I don't mind starting with a goo enough system that I can upgrade latter on; One single good screen is fine to start with, one hard disk, etc...
The idea, i think, is to start simply and to beef up latter by adding parts more than replacing them...
But this is your game and field, I'm sure you guys know your hardware components.

[iammykyl]

Good info from that site. Prices of builds are a little misleading, especially when it come to the cheap one, parts are just the main ones.

On further investigation, Because SolidWorks does not use a scratch disc, it is heavily dependent on speed of CPU, amount of RAM,(max out the Mobo if budget allows) the OS drive. The HDD is the bottleneck in the system. A SSD makes a huge difference to performance and the bigger the better.

configured a rig that will do you for at least a couple of years with options.
Add s small screen for tools and browsing etc.
Add more RAM
Add more storage.
Upgrade the CPU to ivy Bridge.

Build > http://pcpartpicker.com/p/6cUc
Not available for selection on the site, video card, http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814133353 Add to total.



<br class="Apple-interchange-newline">

[nonogeek]

Yes, I also heard a SSD would be helpful.

Thank you so much for your insight and advises, I very grateful to you.
I'll start with this info and let you know how it goes.

Thanks again,

Nonogeek

[iammykyl]

If you want to know why I selected any particular parts, ?? It is possible to trim a little, but performance will go down a little as well.

[nonogeek]

Can your part selection handle me overclocking the CPUs ?

If it handles Windows 7 64-bit, I Guess it will also take Soliworks 64-bit ?

I will wait till April to order, prices may drop a little ... or raise... hehe

I may also by a smaller 2nd hand screen to start.

I heard NewEgg now ships very quickley; like 1 or 2 days.

How long should I expect the other stores to deliver ? Is it frequent to wait more than a week after shipping ?

[nonogeek]

Also, why do I need a 850W power supply ? what difference does it make ?
Did you chose the power supply first and found a case that matches, or it does not really maters ?

What about the Antec DF-35 ATX Mid Tower Case ?
or the Cooler Master RC-450-KKN1 ATX Mid Tower Case ?
Or even the Antec One ?
Ok, I get it, you picked the latest and quietest Antec P183 V3 case... with 3 USB 3.0... hehe... not a bad choice. Does it come wit all these fans ?
But I don't see myself needing more than one ext. bay, and not form many year, CD/DVD will soon be out.

And about the RAM, is 9 CAS better than 10 CAS ? and what is CAS about ?

Oh, and finally,is a fan for the i7 CPU included or needed ?

Edited by nonogeek, 30 March 2012 - 08:46 PM.

[iammykyl]

[quote]

I heard NewEgg now ships very quickley; like 1 or 2 days.

How long should I expect the other stores to deliver ? Is it frequent to wait more than a week after shipping ?

[/quote]
Newegg is one of the fastest, for the others you look for their shipping time

[quote]

Can your part selection handle me overclocking the CPUs ?

[/quote]
Yes, but, over-clocking both AMD and Intel CPUs will void the warranty, so you do so at your own risk.

[quote]

If it handles Windows 7 64-bit, I Guess it will also take Soliworks 64-bit ?

[/quote]
Yes.

[quote]

why do I need a 850W power supply ? what difference does it make ?

[/quote]
You don"t actually need it, you could go smaller. http://www.jonnyguru...=Story&reid=142
So, cost per wat, efficiency, longevity, comparability to the case. you would not have to worry about upgrading the system unless it was 2 very top end GPUs.

[quote]

Did you chose the power supply first and found a case that matches,

[/quote]
Case first then what I thought best PSU match.

[quote]

is a fan for the i7 CPU included or needed ?

[/quote]
A very good stock heat-sink and fan is included but again, using any other type, otter than the one supplied with the boxed retail CPU, will void the warranty.

[quote]

And about the RAM, is 9 CAS better than 10 CAS ? and what is CAS about ?

[/quote]
http://www.hardwares...-RAM-Timings/26
I think the selected is right, performance/cost, you could add more later if you thought it would increase your workflow.

[quote][

I may also by a smaller 2nd hand screen to start.

/quote]
Not what I would do. You want to get the best results for your video card. Many users spend big on the back end, get a cheap display, then complain, about the image they get.

[iammykyl]

Hi,

How are you progressing with your build?
An update would be welcome.