I've just registered as I'm looking for some advice about 2008/10 Autocad and system requirements.

 

I work for a large company and we have an design department consisting of about 12 Autocad users. At present they use Autocad 2008 on a mix of Dell Optiplex 620's and 745's. Both Optiplex models have have roughly the same specs.

 

CPU: Intel Pentium D 2.8Ghz

RAM: 2Gb DDR2 (533/600Mhz)

HDD: 80Gb Sata 7200 rpm

GFX: Intel onboard

OS: Windows XP Pro (32bit)

 

Monitor: 20" HP (running at 1600 x 1200)

 

I've been asked to look into upgrading our guys to Autocad 2010 and to consider if this will require better hardware as the users often comment on poor performance and want a dual screen setup each.

 

I'm limited on available hardware as I have to use a set vendor/hardware list. The only real option to me in terms of new PC's is the Dell Optiplex 780 (SFF or MidiTower) (specs below).

 

CPU: Intel duo core 2 - E8400

RAM: 2/3Gb DDR3 800Mhz (i think)

HDD: 160Gb Sata 10000 rpm

GFX: Intel Onboard

OS: Windows XP Pro (32bit)

 

Monitor: 2 x 20" Dell Widescreen (16:9)

 

As I'm not an Autocad user myself I am quite ignorant about it's operation and I guess what I am looking for help with is to determine if the new PC's with better CPU, RAM and HDD will offer any benefit to our Autocad users? I've checked the minimum system specs for Autocad 2008/10 and they are quite low although I am aware a lot of software vendors will quote low system specs to increase their potential market when in reality users do need more power for acceptable performance.

 

I've also been thinking about the option of buying additional graphics cards for our users. I've done a bit of reading and other users on the internet seem to be suggesting that normal GFX cards by Nvidia and ATi (typically aimed at normal users/gamers) will not offer any benefit to Autocad users. It was suggested that ATi FireMV and Nvidia Quardo chipsets however are better.

I have several ATi FireMV 2200 128Mb cards available at work but wasn't sure if I should get trying to get something better?

 

If there are any Autocad users or people involved in support Autocad users who can share some knowledge please help!?

 

Thanks.

 

For 2D the spec as you have it is fine.  However the moment you move into 3D then the game changes dramatically.

 

3D spec (minimum as my experience have shown me.)

4 gigs Ram (if you can go XP 64 bit route then make it 8 Gigs)

512mb Nvidia Quadro graphics card.

160 gig solid state HDD (if you can budget for it - solid state makes accessing drawings so much faster)

23" screen (single should be fine, I still have to meet someone that can really use 2 screens.)

2.5 gHz cpu - duo is not making any difference as Autocad cannot use multi threading for its calcs.

And decent mouse and keyboard.....amazing how crappy auxilliaries can screw productivity.  IT departments have always been penny wise pound foolish as far as CAD is concerned.....good for you to actually ask the questions

 

This spec should keep them happy for a couple of years.  Another hint, when loading there machines, don't load any of the 3rd party add-ons for windows or office that the vendors seem to supply.  Anyting that eats RAM unneccessary or uses cpu time and not add to productivity is not allowed in the company i work for...and it helps keeping performance up.

 

I've practiced different CAD systems, i know SW, ProEngineer. Recently i have discovered that brand new one is available "TopSolid 7". I say brand new event if TopSolid V6 already exists, because TopSolid 7 is totally different. I guess they have written an new product from scratch. This year the 7.3 version is released, i have downloaded the trial version www.topsolid7.com, i was really surprised, the user interface is very good, and i have succeeded to make it work on my old laptop. Regardins operating systems they support XP/Vista/7. If you want to have a look, they are youtube videos : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfqoObEm35c

They have a native PDM, with a file explorer within the software.