NX 8.5 PC configuration

[st4r]

We are planning to update to NX 8.5 win7 64 (currently nx6), and in the process upgrade/replace our old workstations. Since the budget is limited I was wondering whether should we concentrate more on cpu or gpu? There are few xeon's which are not more expensive then i5/i7. (As far as I know ECC memory is no longer necessarily more expensive then nonECC). Also which would be more suitable: nv quadro or ati firepro? Or should we just pick standard card (eg. geforce). There is a topic here about picking the right cpu considering dual/quad... core and I was wondering whether anything has changed since then. We usually don't work with some extremely resource hungry models/assemblies, so i'm trying to take cost/benefit into account. Thanks for any advice.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Nothing has really changed recently in terms of requirements. A fast CPU, muti-cores (minimum of four), a fast buss speed is always a plus. Don't skimp on memory, 8Gb is the absolute minimum with 16Gb and even 32Gb recommended. Also, something that was probably not an option the last time you configured a workstation is the use of an SSD (Solid State Drive) to replace the traditional hard-drives. These can have an amazing impact on the performance of NX and most other software as well as the system itself, fast start-ups, even from a cold-start, for both the OS and NX (I will never have another laptop/desktop that does NOT use SSD's). Faster loading of Assemblies and fast saving of large models. And yes, consider investing in a fully certified graphics card, minimum of 1Gb graphics memory with as many 'pipes' (processors) as you can afford.

John R. Baker, P.E.
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Siemens PLM Software Inc.
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[cowski]

What do you do more of on a daily basis?

If you are waiting around for models to update, FEA models to solve, or CAM to generate toolpaths; you may want to consider spending more on CPU / less on graphics.
If you deal with really large assemblies or create renderings, your money may be better spent on a better graphics card (trading off for a lesser CPU).

A previous CAD admin had a few macros that he used as benchmarks. He'd get two or three computer companies to send in a machine to test then buy the one with the best price/performance ratio. Perhaps you can do something similar.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[st4r]

We are mostly doing modeling, assemblies and drafting. These assemblies and their drawings can sometimes be pretty resource hungry.

 

[looslib]

You do not want a Geforce card in it! Go with a Nvidia Quadro with the fastest clock speed, most processors and at least 1GB of memory.

Saving pennies on your workstation will cost you hundreds of dollars in lost productivity over the 3 or more years you have the workstation. There is a point where current hardware is screaming fast today without being on the bleeding edge of newest technology. You need to identify that point and buy to it. In 3 years your workstation will seem slow as application and OS become more robust and require more power.

As a reference point, I find that the cost of a very good workstation to be in the $2600-3000 range, maybe a little more if you opt for the SSD. Laptops will run even more.

Remember you will be keeping that workstation for 2,3 or more years, so don't start with a low-budget, it will get by, bare bones, meets minimum spec machine. Your productivity will offset any difference in the cost of hardware in 3-6 months.


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