I have a dilemma for Mac Pro. I am switching from PC to Mac. I decided to go with Mac Pro because of expendability and because the monitor is seperate from the computer (unlike the iMac), but there are so many options; quad-core, 6-core, 8-core, RAM size, etc.
How much RAM amy I need, how fast processor, if those are the programs I will be using:
And yes, I will have to download Windows to it.
-AutoCadd-Rhinocoros 3D build + Maxwell rendering plug-in-Photoshop-Illustrator-InDesign-and few smaller design programs like sketch up etc.
Here is the trick: Some of those programs like AutoCadd, Photoshop, and Rhino, I may have to use simontanously, AND depending on a building material (concrete v.s. glass), Maxwell takes hours (50 hours for glass) to make a smooth, accurate rendering. So my computer may have to run for many hours at a time.
I also hope to expend the variety of programs as I grow as a designer.
In addition, I'll be burning and ripping CDs and do all the other everyday things that most people do.
I WON'T be playing games, or making videos... (at least I don't think that my job will require the latter any time soon...). I won't be doing much switching between Window and Mac, but some might be required.
I usually replace my computers every 5 years or so, so expendability might be nice.
But I also don't want to go for 'overkill' if I don't need it.
Thanks for any suggestions!

What I would do is visit the website of the company that creates the software you'll be using and see what they recommend as their minimum system requirements and use the most stringent one as your starting off point.Remember that rendering is CPU intensive not necessarily dependent on the graphics card although I thought I just read recently that nVidia is trying to change this with a new line of graphics cards.  I'm sure they will be fairly expensive however.CAD work is just as intensive as gaming in many aspects so fast CPUs, good quality graphics cards, lots of RAM are common components.I'm not sure how much multi-tasking you are going to be able to do if a render is going to take 50 hours.What is your budget for this computer?You should definitely go with a 64-bit system and software.

AutoCAD for Mac - System requirements can be found here:http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=15435044Dedicated rendering module, RenderPRO12 by BOXX.http://www.cadalyst.com/hardware/renderpro12-13660nVidia GPU-powered rendering software.http://www.nvidia.com/object/io_1212045140642.html
John Connor2011-03-11 12:24:33

You can never have too many cores or too much RAM. Especially if you're going to be doing a lot of rendering and Photoshop work. Get as much as you can afford.And don't cheap out on the graphics card. Make sure you get a good one.

Thnk you so much for all your comments!  They are very helpful  =) 
 
As for my budget.... I was hoping to stop at $5,000 w/o the monitor, but with Mac Pro that amount is reached waaaaay too easily  =o/
 
 Sehera132011-03-11 18:54:34

For the same $5,000 you could get quite the PC.You're aware that AutoCAD for Mac is not quite the same as AutoCAD for a PC don't you?

Yes, I used PCs for the last 15 years and can not stend them anymore... too many problems, that I did not encompass at all on Macs.
 
I tried both Autocads, and I prefer the PC version. This is why I'll download Windows on Mac. Except for Autocad and Rhino however, all my other programs are for Mac.
 
Thanks!  =)

Well good luck then.  I hope your new system serves you well and is problem free.