What video card should I use for 3D CAD Software? How Much RAM?

Question

I am using a Compaq Presario CQ5700F computer at home. Usually when I'm doing my modeling and designing I am utilizing the company computers, but I will be also doing some contract work here from the house soon and would like to make the process a bit more seamless than it is.

Programs of interest: Solidworks and Solid Edge as well as minimal HD video editing and watching from my GoPro.

Computer:
I currently have 2GB of RAM with the availability of up to 8GB
AMD Athlon II 170u Processor (2GHz)
32-bit Windows 7 Professional operating system

I am fine with my single monitor at the moment as it has plenty of screen real estate, but may be interested in a card that could later support dual monitors. I know the current card in my computer can't be all that great (bought the whole system minus monitor and all that for ~$250 refurbished from MicroCenter), but with that said it has been a champ for basic designs with minimal hiccups. HD videos from my GoPro are a joke to watch, though.

Obviously a workstation card would be optimal, but seeing that I only have a bit over two Benjamin's in the whole computer itself, I really don't want to go ballistic with money on a video card and RAM at the moment. I will eventually get a laptop that will be better suited for this as I travel, but the desktop needs to have me set through the end of the year. I'd say $100 is about my cap on a video card.

What do y'all think?

Thanks,
-Tyler

Answer 1

You dont want a standard graphics card because most are designed around gaming. The best cards out there for cad is the pny quadro cards, they are designed for intensive programs like cad that use mainly processing power and multi thinking other then graphic quality.



I build and sell computers and I have taken drafting and architecture classes with cad. I know how they operate and what they require.

Answer 2

Search on Amazon , eBay , Google Shopping , or Yahoo for an nVidia / ATI card that is cheaper than 100$, and look for reviews about them.



If I were in your shoes, I would buy one with dedicated video memory that is more than 512MB ( cheap , and does the job. ) or 1GB.



But always read the reviews , some people had experience with these cards before, you can see whether it suits you or not too!

Answer 3

Minimum System Requirements



Processor: Intel / AMD compatible at 2500 MHz or higher

RAM: 1 GB or higher

Sound: Windows compatible sound card

Display: 32-bit color depth

CD recorder: for importing from CD

DVD recorder: for importing from DVD and creating Video DVD

Video capture device: required for capturing

Windows Media Player 11 or higher for WMV video playback

DirectX: Microsoft DirectX 9.0c or later

Administrative permissions for program installation and activation

Internet connection to activate



Windows 7 Recommended System Requirements



Processor: Intel / AMD compatible at 3 GHz single core/1.8 GHz dual core

RAM: 1.5 GB or higher

Video: Windows 7 compatible video card

Sound: Windows 7 compatible sound card

Answer 4

Siempre he tenido una excelente experiencia cundo he comprado ordenadores de sitios web, el ultimo ordenador que he comprado ha sido para un amigo que le gustan los juegos, he encontrado un ordenador perfecto en la pagina y en realidad es aun mejoren realidad, el diseños de la caja le ha encantado y el ordenador funciona perfectamente para los juegos, una excelente placa video, gran memoria y un buen procesador además de estar full HD, hacen de este ordenador un excelente ordenador para los juegos, tal como él quería.

Answer 5

lappy chart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5QdtEy-qao



GPU buyers Guide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqnxroGd3mA



Low wattage PSU's and GPU's Guide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTQoH-j5KZY



PSU Guide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTe-c_5488A



Upgrading desktop memory ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cwHPXfx4S0