We just had a new machine built and got a P4 3.4, 2GB RAM, SATA drives, etc. We got a Quadro graphics card for it (I don't remeber the specific model). For processor, I would be looking at the new Intel processors, they have been benchmarking very well. Graphics cards: At our firm, we have always used gaming cards with very good luck. They are consistantly less expensive and for the work we do (complex surfacing, plastic products, and assemblies smaller the 100pcs), they work great. I just got a nVidia 6800 GT for home and it works very well and doesn't have the window limitations that nVidia used to have. My experience has been, however, that nVidia cards seem to work better with Pro/E than ATI cards (in the couple of cards I've used).
Limited dual monitor support is provided in Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 on the Windows platform. PTC has successfully performed limited testing of some graphics card models from 3DLabs, ATI and NVIDIA that support dual monitor capabilities. If your graphics card is certified for Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 and provides dual monitor support**, PTC expects that it will run in this mode without issue. PTC will provide limited support to resolve issues arising when running in dual monitor mode, however, the entire solution will not be submitted for formal certification as a complete configuration.
PTC has tested and officially supports the following graphics cards. This list is not meant to be a comprehensive listing of cards with dual monitor capabilities and it does not represent a shift from PTC's policy of certifying complete systems.
PTC's Support Policy.
Supported and tested graphics cards:
ATI FireGL XL1
3DLabs Wildcat VP 990 Pro
NVIDIA Quadro4 900XGL, 980XGL and FX 2000
Best Regards,
Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
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Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience every time.