New Computer System Questions 3

[rockguy]

We are purchasing a new system here and I'm being asked some question from the IT department. We are definately buying a DELL workstation and I have a list of compatiable realview cards. The questions I'm being asked relate to processing and RAM.

A quick background. We are doing mostly prismatic parts Lofts, sweeps amd patterning is as complex as it gets. We also do lots of PW renderings of our assemblies. Our assembly size is 500 parts or less and we do drawings usually containing 5-10 sheets.

1.) Does SolidWorks support dual processors and is it faster?
2.) Do we need hyperthreading?
3.) How much RAM? ( I think 1 gig is good. Assembly size is 500 parts or less)
4.) Are SCSI drives worth the extra dollars?
5.) Are the higher med graphic cards (256) worth the extra money over a 64 or 128?

I know this has been a hot topic lately. I wish I had paid more attention. Any info or links to info Anyone would like to offer would be appreciated.

Thank You

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

1.) Basically, no.
2.) No. In fact SW sometimes has conflicts if it is switched on.
3.) 1 Gig is good, but if money is available, 2 would be better.
4.) No. You would get better "bang for the Buck" with the latest ATA drives.
5.) Probably, if you are doing lots of PW rendering.

thread559-80802 for Dual Processors & hyperthreading
thread559-86357
thread559-87549 for SCSI
thread559-80512 for recomendations

Check out

http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

&

http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/expertzone/columns/mcfedries/03june16.asp

for Virtual Memory settings.

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

 

[SBaugh]

http://www.solidworks.com/swexpress/mar04/200403_techtip_02.cfm

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[Theophilus]

1. Your renderings will run faster, but not modelling.
2. I like it since I don't ever shut down other applications while using SW. Might be particular to your hardware for performance. (Too bad you can't get AMD chips with Dell--oh, well. Dell is otherwise solid.)
3. You can always add RAM cheaper when/if you need it.
4. SCSI drives? No. Check out ATA or SATA (various threads you can search here on building workstations containing more info).
5. nVidia FX 500 cards do fine with me and I do heavy rendering (really don't think rendering is a big graphics card issue compared to large assemblies--lots of surfaces).

CorBlimeyLimey, SBaugh, those links are great.




Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

 

[rockguy]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your input and links. I've passed the info on to the IT guys. Your help has been appreciated.

 

[Tinkerer]

FYI
There is a bench marking test done over on

http://www.cadalyst.com

I dont think sw was used but it is interesting anyway!!!
Brett