Topic: Best processor for AutoCAD / 3D

[Mark]

Looking for information about what processor works best for AutoCAD and/or Civil3D. i7 or Xeon processor?

Thanks

[ronjonp]

Bang for your buck I'd go with I7 7700k or 8700k. Although if you need a large amount of RAM ( > 64 GB ) then Xeon.

I'm rocking a 6700k at work overclocked to 4700 MHz and it does well for everything I do.

[Mark]

I don't think we'll need that much RAM for what we do. But these machines run ALL-THE-TIME! From what i've read the Xeon's are more adept to running 24/7.

[ronjonp]

I don't think we'll need that much RAM for what we do. But these machines run ALL-THE-TIME! From what i've read the Xeon's are more adept to running 24/7.

I don't think I've turned my computer off in 1-2 years . Also, look into one of THESE for your boot drive. They are fast!

[dgorsman]

I don't think we'll need that much RAM for what we do. But these machines run ALL-THE-TIME! From what i've read the Xeon's are more adept to running 24/7.

As long as you have sufficient (in your case, I'd suggest "aggressive") air cooling you should be OK.  For you, I would suggest the deciding factor is more where you're getting the hardware.  If you have an Enterprise-level contract with one of the big box suppliers like Dell or HP, you're likely better off getting a Xeon-based workstation.  Costs are comparable at that level, even with Quadro-line graphics cards.  If you're self-building or using one of the smaller suppliers like Boxx or Xi, then the i7 (or even a fast i5) is the way to go.

[Mark]

These will come from Dell with a enterprise contract. And we are looking at the Quadro line of GPU. Our 3D stuff isn't that intensive but i like to go for as much as i can because we have to use these for a long time before we can get new ones.

Also, look into one of THESE for your boot drive. They are fast!

Definitely! I'm not sure we even need mechanical drives anymore. We have so much storage on our network that we don't use local.

[ronjonp]

If you're using Dell, I don't think they offer I7 processors in their Precision line ( at least last time I ordered them ).

FWIW .. my custom built PC outperforms Precision computers in my office.

[mjfarrell]

If you're using Dell, I don't think they offer I7 processors in their Precision line ( at least last time I ordered them ).

FWIW .. my custom built PC outperforms Precision computers in my office.

And in most cases, a user built system will....just sayin...

[Mark]

FWIW .. my custom built PC outperforms Precision computers in my office.

I don't doubt that.

[dgorsman]

No doubt.  But when you have to go through an IT department that's sourcing and maintaining dozens, if not hundreds, of boxes then local variations make things difficult.

Mark, depending on the nature of your contract and/or relationship with whoever is approving the purchase order you might be able to get something from Dell's desktop/gaming line.  If you're considering doing something multi-threaded like CPU rendering or FEA though stick with the Xeon based workstations so you have the option of throwing a bunch of cores and RAM at the task.

[ronjonp]

No doubt.  But when you have to go through an IT department that's sourcing and maintaining dozens, if not hundreds, of boxes then local variations make things difficult.
...

Definitely agree. just giving my 2c. We're a small company and I used to use Dell exclusively before finding out how fun it was to configure and build a computer + the added benefit of awesome performance.

[Mark]

Mark, depending on the nature of your contract and/or relationship with whoever is approving the purchase order you might be able to get something from Dell's desktop/gaming line.

Thanks, i will check into that.