New PC on a very limited budget

[steinmini]

I'm about to get into assembling a new PC config to be able to use SW.

So far, I could get away with foxconn 790G MB with an integrated ATI Radeon X1200 GC, and AMD LE1600, but it was my Inet-mailing-office machine.

The new motherboard is ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO,
processor AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor (+ Cooler Master Gemini II S)
and for the start 2G of DDR3 1600MHz. Will increase to 4G as my income allows.

The graphics card still remains an enigma because it should fit into about 200€ or so.

The question is basically simple, should I go for a tested and verified second hand card with somewhat less memory or to shoot for a newer GC that probably isn't listed?

The second question is probably harder to answer to, is it worth investing into a SSD to use it for the OS and progfiles? I heard that lower capacity and lower priced SSD drives are fast but not suitable (unreliable) to be used as system drives.

If I skip transferring to SSD, I can add the difference to the GC budget and get a better choice.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Avoid Radeon, GeForce and NVS series cards. They are NOT suitable for solid modelling. Some lucky people have no problems using them, but the majority have experienced problems. The problems can range from simply not being able to use Real View, thru various graphical glitches, to not being able to see the SW interface.

IMO, a used nVidia Quadro FX or ATI FireGL or FirePro card would be better than a new Radeon, GeForce or NVS.

If on subscription support, one of the first things your VAR will ask (if you have any problem) is whether you are using an approved card. When you answer "No", they will probably tell you they cannot really help till you are.

Skip the SSD ... you can add that later when finances permit.

 

[sbriar1]

I would not use a Integrated graphics card (on board), you may want to change the graphics card one day. I have found that radeon graphic cards do not work well with solidworks, you need a Nvdia graphics card, I am using the Nvdia Quadro 500/FX600 and is working very well, they are not cheap but they work the best for solidworks.

 

[steinmini]

Thanks.

The motherboard has an integrated Radeon and I will have to use it until I decide on the separate card and get my hands on one. As explained, the budget is limited but with no SSD on the list, I think I can focus on finding something listed. I think I'm going to browse ebay now I wish I could afford something from the top level, but I can't, so, I'll try to get the best I can

 

[steinmini]

Guess I can consider myself lucky. Found and bought one nVidia Quadro FX3400 (256Mb)on German ebay, 69€. Should be with me within the next two weeks, I hope.

 

[sbriar1]

You will not Regret this move, I had a High dollar Radeon card to begin with and was not able to do anything in solidworks, the graphics did not work right and was unable to do much of anything.
After putting in the Nvida card it was like night from day.

 

[steinmini]

I've just changed the MB from Foxconn (690G) to Asus M4A785TD-V EVO, the processor from AMD LE-1600 (2.2G) to AMD X4 630 and 2G DDR2/800MHz memory for 2G Patriot DDR3 1600MHz. Until the Quadro arrives, will have to live with the current Radeon 4200 which comes with the motherboard. It all went smooth with Windows7. With XP I'm afraid, I'd have to do a thorough backup and a complete reinstall of everything which I can do, but scares the cr*p out of me
I expect the Quadro will fit nicely into the package.
There is one more thing I was warned about, and that's the PSU. It seems the PS I bought with the PC case (Codegen Briza) isn't on the top of list of most reliable power supplies. So, that's another 60-70€ more, but hey, that's nothing compared with the benefits and security I'll get... As soon as it's all wrapped up, I'll report on how this setup works.

 

[drawoh]

steinmini,

You are paying $7K(Canadian) for a piece of software and you are trying to run it on cheap computer. Is this a good idea?

If you want to save money, start by running cheaper software.

JHG

 

[steinmini]

I'm running a small company and when it's needed, investments are made. When it's possible to avoid wasting money, I avoid it. Computer hardware becomes obsolete quickly. No free updates on motherboards and CPUs. OTOH, I think I'll be using SW for years. Since the main value of the whole work is what the final user of the product will think it is, most of the earned money goes into the manufacturing process, raw materials etc. I opted for Solidworks because our Government pays for the half of the price of the software if the software is used to help or improve the company's products. That is what I'm hoping for and looking at making the best environment for development of new products, increasing reliability, simplifying details, cutting costs, etc. I found no other software package that would cover everything I thought we might need. I'm a novice and when I start making money with it, it'll be easy to buy a brand new, top of the line PC. However, at this time, every coin we invest must be carefully put into best purpose. If the powder coating chamber and the rest of the equipment we recently bought wasn't affecting us that hard, I might not worry about a new PC at all. When I get to the point where I can draw faster than my computer can show the results, then I'll go for something faster. This is just a tiny percent of what I need to do my job. Until several moths ago, I used FreeCad for Linux, but found it to be quite limited in many ways. So, one step at the time. I have no doubt that properly paid engineers can afford to invest into high range PCs, but I also doubt that many of those people have to buy everything else, invest into production, pay workers, finance the prototypes, etc. Well, that's what I asked for when I decided to be my own boss.

Not sure if it's appropriate to name my company here, though, so I will not.

Whining is not my style, but I'm also not ashamed to ask for help. I honestly am grateful to all people who tried to give me helping advices.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

steinmini ... Placing your company name and web address (NOT email) in a signature is acceptable. This can be done via the My Stuff > My Profile dropdown.

 

[steinmini]

Ok, but I'm not here to promote either myself or my company. I'm here to learn at first, and share knowledge (if any gathers) later. Anyway, found several sites selling SW really cheap. Not sure if these are really legal versions. I have a contract arrangement with the bank and government for around 2100€ payable within 24 months (the difference to the full price is covered with some State fund) but these look suspicious:

http://buyoemsoftwareonline.com/Solidworks-2009-x32.php

http://discount-software-store.net/shop/item/470/

I mean, how can they sell it that cheap?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

They would be illegal versions. SolidWorks can only be purchased through their network of VARs.

https://www.solidworks.com/sw/buy-software.htm

 

[steinmini]

I thought that too... I learned long time ago that there's no such thing as a "free lunch"

 

[steinmini]

Yesterday my nVidia Quadro arrived. The troubles were over I thought, but hey, it's never so easy... First, the card arrived without any supporting instructions or drivers, further, it has two DVI outs and it was a run_around_the_town to find either an adapter to analog VGA or a cable with proper connectors. Sorted that. Win7 recognized the card without problems, but the provided driver did just the required minimum, made the monitor work. The internet crashed a few days ago and no online help could be used, so I asked a friend to find and download the drivers for the GC. Took me an hour to get to him and back bringing the drivers home on a USB stick. Once I tried to install the drivers, Windows refused cooperation and went blank on me. After some fiddling in safe mode, finally managed to force on the nVidia drivers, but this time the ViewSonic drivers crashed. Again, spent an hour to force the proper drivers to install. Around midnight, it was all set. The "RealView Graphics" mode turned on by default and the "software openGL" option in the tools/options/performance got unchecked.
So, the task has been accomplished. It is possible to build up a PC on a tight budget and make it work. I'm waiting for a better PSU now, and that will probably not change anything visible, but should increase the stability and reliability margin. Thanks to everyone who helped.