AMD Athlon 64 vs Intel P-4

[cfee]

AMD Athlon 64 vs Intel P-4:
Any input on which is a better platform for ACAD 2005, Inventor, etc?

Also, any thoughts on current compatibility issues with ATI Video cards?

Tks-

C. Fee

 

[hendie]

Don't know about the Athlon 64 but I'm using an Athlon 3200 and an ATI graphics card and it runs fine.

The only issues I am aware of is with the DELETE key while in Autocad ~ I never use the ERASE command, I select objects then hit the DELETE key ~ that wasn't working but then I found that a utility with the ATI card (Hydravision) caused the problem so I simply changed a setting and it was fine again..

http://www.resourcecad.com

~ for your CAD solutions

 

[cfee]

I'm looking at making a purchase, and I'm really interested in that 64 bit platform, but I don't want to sacrifice performance of a P-4.
Tks-
C.Fee

 

[mfleming]

I would wait a little bit and go with the AMD X2 CPUs. You will find a hug difference in speed with dual cpus. Or if you can't wait go with an Opteron or Xeon. Dual core is the way to go.

P4 don't seem to be that much better in the CAD part of it, unless your running CAD, burning CDs or working with Excell or all at the same time while rendering.

For the video card, go with one from 3DLabs. They are designed for CAD realated apps.

Thats my 2 cents.

Matt

 

[cfee]

"... unless your running CAD, burning CDs or working with Excell or all at the same time while rendering."

Yep- That's EXACTLY how I'll be running. I'm expecting that the x-2 CPU's will be a performance booster, but I'm trying to get a little insight now, for any possible difference 64-bit multi-tasking might make, using a 32-bit O-S (64-bit X-2's anyone?). I'm NOT an "early adopter". I'm going to let others go on the "bug-hunt" for the first 6-months or so. Then when O-S's and APPs start coming out (another 6-months later) with _their_ waiting periods, I'm looking at conservatively 6-9 months "wait". That's unreasonable (there are always those who say "jump-now - don't wait..."), so while I'm not necessarily wanting to push the upper-envelope, a good choice now will certainly be the right thing to do. Suggestions are still welcome.

Tks-
C. F.

 

[borgunit]

Just in our experience, two processors have made only marginal differences in speed for AutoCAD. We tortured a pair of computers once while we were batch processing about 10,000 drawings and while the dual processor computer was faster, it crashed more often than the single processor computer running these files. It needed to be "babysat" more than the other. 64 bit processing is something that we have not tried yet. I suspect as AutoCAD matures into dual processor coding and 64 bit processing, the gains will come and be more stable. I saw an article about 64bit and AutoCAD accuracy that may be of some interest, especially with 3D processing. 64bit may earn its keep in this area. My 2 cents.

"Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." — Will Rogers

 

[mrMikee]

Check the AutoCAD site for recommended graphics cards and compatibility. The last time I checked (about 9 months ago) I think it was the nVidia based cards that were the best, where best is in terms of stable drivers and the availability of driver updates. My dealer did not recommend the ATI cards. They also recommended Pentium 4 vs AMD, but I think they were being conservative in order to configure very stable systems. It's probably the solid modeling that pushes the limits of the hardware, and not just AutoCAD.

While performance is important, I prefer a system that just keeps running all the time.

Regards,
-Mike

 

[mrMikee]

cfee,

This is the latest info on graphics cards and Inventor. If interested take a look at the link below.

Certified Graphics Cards and Drivers for Autodesk Inventor.. Last Updated 5/26/2005

http://www.inventor-certified.com/g...ications&XP=on&2K=on&PCIe=on&AGP=on&results=3

ATI only supports FireGL (workstation) cards for Inventor. Other ATI cards may work with limitations, but you are on your own if there are problems. The nvidia QuadroFX are also workstation cards.

-Mike

 

[Dringo]

I recently bought a laptop with the 64 bit AMD, and it ran real slow running autocad and inventor. So much that I too the laptop back, and got a similiar spec'd one with the P4 and it is a night and day difference. They both ran the ATI card. Then again I do a LOT of 3D design and assemblies in inventor and autocad so performance is not a want, its a need.

I heard pentiums are better designed for cad or high end graphics, true or not i dont know, but by experience I would have to say so. I think the 6 series P4s are 64 bit, and will run on the anticipated 64 bit OS Microsoft is coming out with.

This of course is about a months old info, so who knows now.

Alex