Computing Requirements to Run CAD

Check out the website of the CAD software you are using. They will have hardware requirements, and more importantly, specify certified graphics cards for your application. In my experience, the right graphic card is just as important as the memory and processor.

Also, most new CAD packages (and support software) come in DVD installers, so you may be better of with a DVD drive. Sound cards are usually built-in to the motherboards nowadays as standard.

A computer that has a system that the video card doesn't share the system RAM. The more RAM the better at least 2 gig. Minimum 120 gig HD especially if you are dealing with assemblies and/or animations. Dual Processors are good too. Don't go cheap on the CPU cooling and the power supply.

I will follow and recommend that you obtain a computer with a CD-ROM burner/reader and DVD burner/reader. The DVD diskettes can store much more information than a compact disk.

Other than that, processor speed is important, especially for using a programme such as AutoDesk Inventor. The RAM memory size must be sufficient as well. As it was suggested by another poster, just go to the CAD maker's website and examine the computer requirements.

Ing. Robert Forbus

it depends what cad package you run and your usage. i use solid edge and animate machinery automation for both technical sales and r&d. from there i create a video. my bom exceed 150,000 parts. i dont believe that you should omit a dvd, as most software comes in that format now. look at dual core processors with at least 4gb of ram. a good graphics card with 512mb or more dedicated ram - nvidea http://www.nvidia.com/page/quadrofx_family.html is fantastic. i have a fx 3500 and a fx2500m in they laptop .personally i have used amd dual processors in the past but steer away from them. i just set up a m90 dell laptop and it hauls everything i need about 7k aud though. a good website in australia is http://www.ipspty.com.au/index.html they build custom high end computers and very helpful. they also have online quoting. good luck

My Dear

You need to use hi speed processr

1.0 G.B Ram

120 G.B Harddisk

high resolution s.v.g.a Card

Best Regards

This totally depends on what you're going to do. I work at an aerospace engineering firm and there's a HUGE difference between the basic machine that will start the software and do little training tasks and what is required to open the entire assemblyof an aircraft wing or fuselage.

If you think you're going for big stuff, make sure your software can handle 64bits. This opens the possibility of using 64bit windows or linux to take advantage of more than 4GB of RAM. A good Nvidia Quadro graphics card is a definite investment to look into. Processors are pretty cheap nowadays so just get a good dual or quad core...the software might not completely support the extra processors but it's better to be safe than sorry. If you're going to put more than 4GB of ram you'll have to look around for either 2GB+ memory modules (which are a bit pricey) or a motherboard with more than 4 DIMM slots.

Our CAD stations don't have much HDD space (~20GB per machine) as we have a dedicated file server with multiple HDDs that provide data security if one of them ever dies. DON'T EVER TRUST JUST ONE HDD WITH ALL YOUR WORK!

When you say CAD, do you mean 3D CAD or good old 2D AutoCAD? Or CAM for your CNC/Laser? They got big different in requirement.

Check out Solidwork, AutoDesk Inventor, Edgecam, Solidedge or whatever else you're looking for. Also the vendor for the software will be able to help you better.

Pineapple

I agree with all the good advice from the others.

I would suggest that you have someone reputable (a system builder) to do a custom machine for you. If he's good he'll make sure all the components are compatible with each other and with your software vendors programs; check them with a long burn-in and do an extra long memory check.

Special note on the memory check. We found that a regular memory check will show the memory working just fine ...but on a long one it will sometimes show up a glitch. That won't make you real happy when all your hard work goes "poof" and you have to start over. Get used to pushing the save buttom often just for piece of mind. Microsoft has a free memory check program that actually does a good job.

Nvidea makes very good chipsets for CAD. They are more money than a regular video card but well worth it. (Nvidea doesn't build the cards they only build the chipsets that card manufactureres use so pay attention to the card manufacturer also.)

We once had a customer who wanted a machine such as you want. He started to have problems and we found he had some programs for his kids on it and some free utilities. They were actually conflicting with his CAD programs. Took a long time to figure out the problems so what I'm saying is if you can keep the CAD machine pretty hard core CAD and keep all the other stuff on the home computer you'll be a lot happier. there's not a problem using most office suites along with the CAD, it's just a lot of the free stuff isn't free when you pay the bill for the problems it causes.

I think U need a computer with high graphic memory , that it must have Nvidia g force fx 5200 , or higher configuration , and must have dvd burner , because now adays ,almost all softwares are on DVD formet . pl ignore spelling mistake have a nice time .

Hi
Please consultation that it programs you want to install and they will tell you which are the necessary requirement to be executed without problem.

Best regards