Low End Home Workstation for $1500

[Mechie10]

I am looking to have a "white box builder" build a low cost workstation for home use. In addition to Proe, it will run Solidworks plus some video and audio applications. But I want to make sure it runs the 3D apps with no problem. I've checked the PTC site and does not mention the Althon 64 CPU being supported only the Opteron, Pentium Xeon, but I see OCUS benchmark tests with many Athlons. Any input appreciated. Here is what I have so far:

Intel 660 or AMD 3800 - Dual Core?
1 GB Corsair Ram - DDR or DDR2 ? matched pair?
Asus A8N Motherboard
250 WD HardDrive 7500 rpm 16 MB cache
DVD/ Combo
DVD Rom
450 Watt Power Supply
Antec Sonota II case

 

[Guest0527211403]

I would double the RAM.

And don't skimp on the video card. I use NVIDIA cards without complaint. Stay away from Radeons.

 

[Mechie10]

Probably good advice on the RAM. My assemblies would be in the 500-1000 part range. I forgot to mention the video card, but I plan to go with an nvidia FX540 or FX6xx. I've heard some good things about ATI, but I won't chance it.

 

[bvanhiel]

Buy a refurb off of the Dell website. I've bought my last two workstations that way. For $1500 it won't be that low end. Heck, for $1500 you can get an M70 workstation laptop with a killer video card.

-b